Verse of the Day!

TRUST!

"trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture"
Psalm 37:3

Day 1

I went walking this morning with the hubs and it was a great boost. We walked and talked and walked and talked and before we knew it we had walked a mile. It felt great to be able to share a workout together.

Write it down and Make it Plane~
I will be running in the Run for the Mind - Run/Walk; 5K/10K with a friend from work (she says I can be ready to run a 10K-6miles by October) and I'm soooooo excited. I'm pushing to run the 5K for my first race in 2 years... Loves it!!!

disappointed in myself!

Procrastination is NOT a virtue. I am having a hard time today getting down to business.
I have a project due for class tomorrow that hasn't been started and I work tomorrow so there is no time to do it then. Seriously what's my problem. I have done everything else but what I need to be doing. Including writing this blog post.... :-(

food for thought

The phrase: get your house in order does not literally mean clean it up.

~~~ start or continue communication with your spouse. It's used to relate to your relationship. In other words; clean up the relationship you have...

~ Put God first in your personal life and in your marriage
~ Have open communication
~ Don't get defensive with one another
~ Keep your voice tones low
~ Don't be condescending
~ Listen
~ Understand
~ Use "I feel" language
~ Fight fair
~ Spend time together

Just some of my thoughts...

Confirmation!

God is really working! At work yesterday I had an amazing conversation with a client, who just so happened to be a nurse. We started talking about health and fitness and I mentioned my desire to get back on track and meet some much needed health goals. Not only did she recommend an internal medicine physician for me but she gave me some great advise to ward-off diabetes, since both my mother and fathers, mother's have it.

To Do's:
- start watching my sugar in-take
- STOP eating fast food
- stear clear of FRIED foods
- no SODA (not hard at all b/c I don't drink it)
- make exercise a part of my life
- get some good sneakers (motivation purposes, if the idea of possibly have diabetes, hyper tension, or high cholestorel in future doesn't do it for you!)

A-MAZING!!!! 1 Timothy 4:7-9

uggg! i need to FOCUS

... truly and honestly I need to start focusing on my health. My food and exercise regimen have gone down the toilette and it's... oooh so sad.
I love how God works... I stumbled upon this website Faith and Health Connection its talks about spiritual fitness and how are body, mind, and spirit all work together. It's true, how strong can your spirituality be, if you can't go the distance when God is preparing you and seeing you through difficult times. Your body needs to be as fit as your mind and spirit.

1 Timothy 4:7-9 (NIV)
"Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance."

marriage 101:

Choose your battles wisely... let it settle in...

Battles not just with your spouse but also with family and friends. Living in victory means that not everyone will like you.

"It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. "
Proverbs 20:3

Verse of the Day!

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me."
Colossians 3:23 NIV

new outlook on LIFE!

Thanks cousin...
Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So LOVE the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't and BELIEVE that everything happens for a reason. If you have a CHANCE - take it. If it changes your LIFE - let it. Nobody said it would be easy... they just promised it would be WORTH it.

Thank You!

AMEN!!!
God is truly working... He's about to show out. Watch out now!!!! :)

Just feeling really blessed, I have a great husband, family, job, and friends. It's amazing what faith and belief in God will do for you.

Paper?

A year ago today was I married to the love of my life. It's amazing how God brings people together. James has truely been a blessing in my life.

The first anniversary is the paper anniversary. So, I'm in the process of putting together a colage of pictures and notes we have written each other in order to capture our first year.

Love you babe and happy anniversary!

The 4th

Happy 4th of July...

Good food, family, fun and always great entertainment! Have a safe holiday weekend!

Learning Day!

Today, I'm really excited! We are going to a communication and stress management session at our church, hosted by the marriage ministry.
I enjoy being around other married Christian couples because of the knowledge transfer and fun we always seem to have.
I know I'm going to take some pointers away and I will share.

God Bless!

Test!

Testing my mobile blog capabilities, for when I'm in the rural parts of the country, and don't feel like bringing the laptop.

marriage 101:

How do you communicate with your spouse? This is a question that we all think we know the answer to but do we really! So here is a break down and lets see were you fall:

~ the Listener: is the one who is constantly listening by definition... to give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing... a good listener knows that a response is not always warranted and knows how to address problems specifically...
~ the Talker: in most cases, just likes to hear themselves talk, so that they can navigate through a problem or situation themselves... some ideas, that your talkative spouse voices are rhetorical because they have the solution already worked out in their mind...
~ the Lover: a hopeless romantic... (end of story) lets remember, life isn't a movie!
~ the Giver: the spouse who by definition, presents voluntarily without the "I did this" or "I do this for you" attitude... they just do it, without the need for compensation...
~ the Receiver: the spouse that always takes and doesn't give in return... not the best quality to have but can be turned around...

In an ideal communication setting we would have great listening skills, be awesome lovers, and be able to give and receive without an ego. Not every situation yields itself to this but it is good to be armed and ready.

By no means am I an expert in the field of communication but these are somethings that I have become aware of and wanted to share.

Dude, Like Whatever!

Yesterday, we used the 52 Great Cheap Dates and my hubby picked Totally High School. We had to act like we where in HS all over again.

First, we had an impromptu double date after church, that was awesome! Like, what you would do if your best girlfriend and her boyfriend showed up at the restaurant. We ate, talked, laughed, and joked, etc. Since, J picked the card everything had to be a surprise, so after brunch. I was told to meet him at the movie theater. We saw The Taking of Pelham 123, a great movie! J walked me to my car, opened the door, and leaned in for a kiss. After the kiss he said, this is awesome! We have now completed the card, I got a first kiss all over again. Too cute!

Currently debating, if we should make the cards a weekly or monthly occurrence. Must say, the acting like in HS was great fun...

Happy Friday!!!

Dance into the weekend!!!!

Young, Married, and on a Budget!

An amazing Barnes and Noble find... I was near the check out counter looking at the great quotable magnets they have and stumbled upon these cards by Lynn Gordon... 52 Great Cheap Dates. I was like a kid in a candy store when I saw this, my eyes got as big as a quarter and I had this cheesy smile on my face. James and I have been trying to find other things to do on date night besides the movies, dinner, bowling and the sunny day picnic.
I bought them only reading the front cover and the back. When I got home I opened the cellophane and read at least half of the cards with excitement. Noticing that some of them I had never even thought of or thinking it may be corney never brought it up in conversation as something to do... But it's funny how when you hear or read someone else doing it you automatically think its ok or cool.
On the front of each card is a cute drawing of the date and the back details the date. For example, All Aboard! has you and your spouse or significant other boarding a train and picking the destination spur of the moment. Only armed with a sweater and pinic for the train ride or when you arrive... Talk about being spontaneous...
Also in the 52 series is 52 Ways to Stay in Love Forever and 52 Really Romantic Dates. I havn't purchased these but I'm looking forward to these cards adding some extra fun... I'll update on the next date night and how it went with the use of the 52 series.

Monday Motivation!

what would you attempt to do if you knew you could not FAIL!
~ unknown

So, get out their and do something, anything!!! Take some chances and don't let life pass you by.

1 Corinthians 13:13

the building blocks of life...

FAITH: is your concrete. it allows you to keep your feet firmly rooted in the ground.

HOPE: is your shelter, it's that thought or feeling you cling to.

LOVE: is freedom to be you, unconditionally. to shoot for the moon and fall amongst the stars...

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

I found this photo on flicker by www.klayworks.com I thought it was amazing...

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to me ... Happy Birthday to me ... Happy Birthday!!!

It's my birthday, my birthday.... Thank you Lord for letting me see another year of life!

24 looks good on me...
~~~ time to set some year goals and accomplish greatness!!!

LOVE, LIVE, LAUGH

Sunday Sunshine

Happy Sunday!

Since, it's Pentecost ~ a day filled with praise why not listen to Shekinah Glory's Praise is What I Do this song really moves in my spirit.

Hope your Sunday was filled with joy ...

It's Like Algebra...

Talking with one of my BFF's last night I came to this realization.

commitment

--------------- = marriage

love

I believe that this equates to a strong, understanding, not ever boastful version of marriage. You and your spouse or significant other have to come to some kind of understand on how you want your relationship to be and where you want it to go. This equation of sorts, is meant for the times when you need a little more than just love. What I mean by that is love is an emotion and we all know emotions can go up and down depending on our mood and sometimes they are not as strong as they were the day before. It's the commitment coupled with love and sometimes over love that brings you through the bumpy patches in the roller coaster ride.

You can have all the love in the world but with out commitment you have nothing.

I am...

feeling blessed and highly favored...

Phenomenal Women by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies. I say, It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It's the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.
Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.
Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care. 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.

marriage 101:

A praying woman...
In any relationship someone needs to be grounded at all times. Our spouses tend to think they are the grounded ones because they don't shop as often or wear their emotions on their sleeves. Being grounded has nothing to do with the physical, emotional or mental sense of the word. It has everything to do with the fact that the woman, whether she wants to be or not, is the backbone of the family from the moment she says 'I do'. Yes! this is a large role to partake in but with faith and prayer anything is possible. Instead of praying for your needs, you find yourself praying for the needs of those in your family and asking for the strength to be able to provide them. I was told recently, that being a wife requires a lot of prayer, fasting, and patients. I believe this 100%. If your a wife, or in a committed a relationship toward the aisle you know what I mean.

The Serenity Prayer ~~
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr

Memorial Day!

A big thanks to all the men and women who have and are currently fearlessly and tirelessly protecting our country. THANK YOU!!!

Sunday Sunshine

I'm thanking God for a great and blessed week, for continuing to bless my marriage, my family, and friends.
~~ this week, I plan on over coming fears in my business... because fear and faith do no belong together at all.

This is my mantra and I am starting to say it every morning to get me motivated and pumped for a blessed day:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
~ Marianne Williamson

Along with my mantra, I was at the Gloria Mayfield Banks - Cadillac Workshop on Friday and Gloria re-sited the poem above by Marianne Williamson and her DJ played Mary Mary 'God in Me' and I realized that, that song needs to be my theme song.

Faith...

... is believing in the unknown; that which you can not see. Unwavering belief, in God, for what he can and will do for your life. In church last Sunday, my Pastor spoke about praying for yourself. It really hit home in the sense, that I don't pray as much as I should or need too. (odd that Sunday's word just smacked me in the face.) We all break out into pray or fall to our knees when times are hard and difficult but how often do we just take time to say thank you Lord for all you have done in my life and for what you are about to do. I use to say this prayer to myself a lot and I need to start saying it more. I need it to be my mantra, my battle cry, and my defense. Yes, a praying mother is awesome, but I need to start saying my prayers myself. I'm old enough to do it, so why am I not? This is my Thursday/everyday = an hour of self time (if not more) with my Savior.

Thank you Lord for what you have done in my life and what you are about to do.
Amen.

Thursday = 1 Hour Day

As I was out for my morning walk I looked down at my nails and realized I hadn't had a mani/pedi in for-ev-er. So, today I'm taking just one hour to get them done and I'm going to pick a hot summer hue... maybe lavendar with a hint of grey or this great tangerine color.

I love spring and summer... open toed shoes, summer dresses, bathing suites, the beach, the list goes on and on ...

Loves It!!!

I am...

feeling like I'm going through a metamorphosis these days. I have made some major changes in my life from job to school and back again. If it wasn't for faith and family I would've probably had a break down. Why didn't anyone tell me that between the ages of 23 and 25 your mind wrecks havoc on your universe. LOL! I started doubting myself, becoming really lazy, and above all started to lack confidence in my decision making. That's when I knew I needed to snap-out-of-it and QUICK! I needed to move forward and not let what everyone around me thought or said dictate my future and my feelings. --- sidebar---

~~ Thank goodness for Mother's (by the way I love you mom, and again Happy
Mother's Day) because without her quick wit and inspirational words I might still be in a funk.

Seriously, I can't be the only 20-something going through it right now ... with the job loss rate at and all time high and the need for reward and achievement has been weighing me down lately.
Not to mention since being married I've gained at least 10-15lbs and my curves have gone from proportion to out of whack! Which could add to my feelings... Needless to say, I've started walking/jogging around my complex and I'm thinking about signing up for a 5k (ran XC in high school and it was a blast!). It'll be the motivation I need to get in shape. Thank goodness I'm still in my 20's and I can get back into shape fast.

We'll I'm back and definitely on the rise!!! Let's go...

The come up!

I have been MIA for a minute... but I am on the come up...

TO BE CONTINUED...

North Cak-ka-laka

In North Carolina with my family... loving every minute of it...

Alvin Alley: Revelations

I can remember being a little girl and making the trek to my dance school, the Venettes Cultural Workshop, in Long Island, NY, (we lived in New Jersey). Dancing has been apart of my life for so long now that it feels natural waking up early on Saturday mornings for Praise dance with SBC Rejoice!

All of my dance memories seem to become stronger when I know the Alvin Alley tour has started and this weekend the Alvin Alley American Dance Theater is in Chicago! If you have not ever seen an Alvin Alley production you are missing out. When I tell you, these are dancers... baaaabbbbyy they can dance!!!!! Every movement has a meaning and a purpose. They dance from the nape of their heads to each extremity. You can feel the passion, love, and spirit in each step.

A bit of History:

Alvin Alley Jr., founded the Alvin Alley American Dance Theater and is credited with popularizing modern dance. His most well-known choreographed performance is Revelations and what a spectacular performance it is!!! This piece tells the story of slavery to freedom and the faith and determination it took, set to blues and spiritual music. Another favorite of mine has to be Take Me to the Water (one of the three sections of Revelations) which is a reenactment of baptism.

You can check out videos here:

For Chicago Tour dates click here:

Confession

This is my confession:

I LOVE to shop. With the economy the way it is and being newly married I had to pull the reigns a bit on my splurges. Yet, that is no excuse.

Today, I stumbled upon this website Fling It Girl and absolutely feel in love. Click on the link to check it out or the badge below!

Shopping is a great release along with writing and reading a book... they go together like PB&J!

Gloomy Day Inspiration ~

Learn from your mistakes in all aspects of your life.

Don't ever let a mistake turn into a failure because you did not learn from it.

Life presents obstacles and it can be a heck of ride but remember you can always choose what you take away...
"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." Nahum 1:7

Rain!!!!

It's a rainy day here in the Chi and I just feel like singing...

Rain, rain, go away

Come again another day

Little in Nkoyo wants to play...

The great personalizing came from my mom she always fit my name in there somehow, you have to love it...

And....

I miss Gullah Gullah Island...

Come and lets play together

In the bright sunny weather

Let's all go to Gullah Gullah Island

makes me thing of sunshine... and the beach!

GULLAH!!!

Update!

Mary Kay is going great! I love the opportunity and freedom that goes along with it.

My debut was a great success and just the confidence I needed to remind myself that 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' Philippians 4:13

Faith is an everyday process
Family is the glue
Career is what allows me to succeed

Let's Get It!

Sometimes you just have to step out on faith and do something you never thought you could do. With that said, today is the day I officially take a leap of faith and start my own Mary Kay business.

Yes! I will be an Independent Beauty Consultant. I like the fact that it's a company based around 3 core values: faith, family, and career... furthermore, it's a company for women and by an awesome businesswoman, Mary Kay Ash. I feel rejuvenated and energized!! Not to mention, it's a great way to earn extra money in these down trodden economic times and a geat way to meet new people.

So, here goes!!!!!

Ebony/Jet Magazine

At the heart of Black America is Ebony and Jet magazine.

I received an email minutes ago and I'm sadden to hear that Johnson Publishing Company is currently going through a financial crisis. This is unfortunately a sign of the times. The change from print to online.

Nonetheless something must be done to save this African-American fixture. I can remember sitting on my grandmother's lap and her flipping through the pages of Jet magazine and stopping to read to me the marriage announcements, saying, Co one day your wedding will be featured in this magazine."

Already jobs have been lost and a reorganization of the company has begun to keep the business afloat. Let's willingly assist the company that has told the plight of black American, kept us current with Our issues, informed us of the political process, and kept us up to date on our favorite actors and actresses as well as the latest fashion.

In order to help save OUR magazine please pledge (and do) buy a year subscription to both Ebony and Jet magazine. And if you currently have a subscription please RENEW for a year. Every little bit helps! It's time we start to support one another instead of being "crabs in a barrel". (If you don't get this analogy get your subscription ASAP!)

Does my faith offend you?

I stumbled upon this SodaHead poll that asked the question, "Does my faith in God offend you?" It got me to thinking. Does my faith in God offend anyone? I don't feel like I'm a bible toting, verse quoting, your going to Hell for doing what you did last night type of person. I am very thankful and am not ashamed to praise Him in public for all that He has done for me and where He has brought me from.

Yes, I am 23-year-old, happily married, Christian woman. This does not mean that I have not ever sinned, cursed, or lusted (mostly after shoes and handbags on any given Sunday) but I digress. I do believe that God knows that I am not perfect and that my imperfections are what makes me the person I am. I also understand that He does provide all my needs and I will find my strength in the shadow of your/HIS wings (Third Day song that has amazing lyrics from Psalm 36).

So, if my faith offends you, my apologies but it's not going to stop me from Believing...

love ya

Rainy Day Inspiration

I stumbled across this quote on my friends FB page and it made think of how life is filled with challenges, obstacles, and sacrifice and that each is what makes us the person we are.

If we are not challenged how do we know what we are great at...
If we don't over come obstacles, how do we know what battles to fight and those to not...
And if we don't sacrifice, how do we know if we are stepping out on faith...

Sacrifice is going against what feels natural to us. Sacrifice is going
against what feels good to us. Sacrifice is going against our selves and giving up good for better.
~ thanks AMS for indirectly helping me see the light

Hebrews 11:1

enough said... thank you!

I am...

"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth."

~ Mark Twain

BOSSY

“When the music changes, so does the dance”

~ African proverb

In life sometimes you have to be bossy to get things done and stepping out on your own takes faith, support, good music, a sturdy pair of pumps and a little attitude.

In Transition

So, being that Dr. Seuss' b-day was Monday and I'm currently in a transition mode I picked up my favorite book that always makes me SMILE, Oh! The Places You'll Go! I realized that I was definitely in the "waiting place" and I need to stop waiting and start doing.

The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or a No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.
NO! That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape all that waiting and staying. You'll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing.

~ thank you Dr. Seuss for always putting a smile on my face

Caged Bird

Right now I feel like a bird

Caged without a key

Everyone comes to stare at me

With so much joy and rivalry

They din't know how I feel inside

Through my smile I cry

They don't know what they're doin' to me

Keeping me from flyin'

That's why I say that I know why the caged bird sings

Only joy comes from song

She's so rare and beautiful to others

Why not just set her free

So she can Fly, fly, fly

Spreadin her wings and her song

Let herFly, fly fly

For the whole world to see

She's like caged bird

Fly, fly

Ooh just let her fly

Just let her fly

Just let her fly

Spread the wings

Spread the beauty

~Alicia Keys

Smile Love!

Found this button on friends wall and it made me smile.

Shambles of our Lives

So, I was chattin' it up yesterday and I realized that lately I have been feeling a little boxed-in. You know the feeling when you put on that one-size too small girdle, when you have to put your hands on the wall and your best friend has to pull with all her might to get the clasp closed. And then when it's finally closed, you get the bright idea to sit your happy butt down and you can't because the darn thing is clinching your waist so tight that your sitting as if a pole is up your butt. Yea, it's an out of control feeling but this is the only way to describe it. I feel like I'm at the bus the stop in my swim suite when I should be at the dock boarding the cruise ship.

I just really want to scream, extremely LOUD! I feel stuck...

So, at times like these I pull out the motivation cards...

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." ~Lewis Carroll

~to be continued~

what did you say?

I've lived in the Midwest for a year and some change now and I find my self still asking people, what does that mean? The phrase of the week is god's country - small little town, really far removed from a major metropolitan area. In Jersey we would say the boonies or east bumble. It has always been amazing to me how phrases and word choice differ depending on your geographical location.

Sunday sunshine

On this beautiful Chicago, Sunday morning I work up with one of my favorite gospel song on my mind. Marvin Sapp's Never Could Have Made It will have you excited about what God has done in your life.

Thank you Lord!

L.Ross

The art work of L. Ross is inspirational and timeless. The piece in the background of my title box is entitled Steppin' Out. Another one of my favorites Butterfly is below.

What's dance to me?

It's excitement, love, expression, joy and a stress reliever all rolled-up into one. From the time I could walk, dance has been apart of my life. Tap, jazz, ballet, African, modern, hip-hop, and praise dance have molded and shape me into the person I am today.
Dance is just one piece of me that makes me smile and I love writing about. I love the way the music makes me feel and the story you can tell through movement.
~ this makes me smile!