Pen Pal

I have been working on teaching my son the importance of helping others, being compassionate (which by the way he can spell and will happily do it for you), and loving people despite their differences. I am looking to find him a pen pal. I had one when I was in secondary school. I read the address in a children's magazine, which I don't believe is published any more. Anyway, I don't remember the name of it. Does your child have a pen pal? How did you find your child's pen pal?

Fire Drill 101

Okay, I am in the living room, listening to my children playing. They are playing with a wind-up clock that I won about two years ago. Since I have lost the instructions, I don't know how to work it. It is a great expensive toy for them to eventually destroy. Apparently, the children have found a better use for the clock other than telling time.

Jeremiah is instructing them on how to act in a fire drill. The funny thing is he actually has it ringing like the fire drill at school. At least I know my son has been paying attention to their instructions. He is teaching it to the other two, who are so eager to learn from big brother. Ha!

The Women

I just finished watching the movie, The Women. This movie was really great. There were so many lessons to learn from it. However, what really grabbed my attention was the question, "What do I want." Mary Haynes used it as her storyboard to create her awesome fashion collection. That question is forever embedded in my brain. I have been so worried about my children, my marriage, my family, and my students. Having myself in the equation somehow wasn't important. There are so many things I want to accomplish, but somehow I fall short of doing them. Partly from fear of failure and partly because I put others first. When someone asks me, "What makes you happy?" I stare at them confused. In my mind, being married with children has always be associated with happiness. Well, now I am clear that that doesn't make you happy. I am on a new journey, just in time for the new year. I am working on me. I am going to find my happiness and hopefully everything else will fall into place. I have always wished for a best friend, but I dare to allow anyone close enough. I am so afraid of people not liking who I am. I worry about the wrong things. I am determined to work on me for me. If you like me, then that's fine. If I don't fit with you, then that's fine too. These are two things that I will be working on. I am working to understand, believe, and practice...True happiness lies within and not with someone else. Apparently, the movie was my confirmation.

The Beginning

Immediately, after I woke up and put my Mary Kay face on, I happily walked out the door. I knew I would finally get the coveted time to myself. Even though it wasn't much of a break from my reality. It felt great to be able to hear my own thoughts, without crying, arguing, and begging in the background. Since the beginning of my break, I haven't had any time to myself. I enjoyed the 57 minutes I had to myself. Although I was running errands and didn't have long, I soaked up every minute of solidarity. As I walked through my door, I almost took for granted that peace I had experienced. Unfortunately, it was short lived. Jacob has a fever and had to have a breathing treatment. To add salt on a womb, Jasmine is starting to have a fever and is begging to be held like Jacob. What a great way to start the beginning of my last week off.

Eating Right

I have noticed that my children are always wanting to snack and complaining about being hungry. After doing a little research, I have found that feeding them foods from the list below helps to curb their hunger.

Here are a list of foods that can help you battle the hunger, while eating right.
1. broccoli
2. carrots
3. avocado
4. apples
5. berries
6. beans
7. steel - cut oatmeal
8. hummus
9. nuts
10. unsweetened peanut butter
11. plain yogurt
12. milk
13. cheese

How many of these do you eat on a daily basis?

77 Days Weekly Accomplishment

I will put my accomplishments in larger bold text, so I can share with you my success.
1. Finish writing my thesis.
2. Defend my thesis.
3. Clean up office.
4. Organize office.
5. Purchase a new laptop.
6. Plan a trip to Washington DC this summer.
7. Have two Mary Kay team members.
8. Get two new clients for my image consulting business.
9. Take the children to Jackson’s African American museum.
10. Complete first chapter of my book.
11. Redecorate bedroom.
12. Pay off two credit cards.
13. Have a weekend retreat for myself.
14. Determine what my next step will be in May, regarding teaching.
15. Meet once a month with friends for dinner or an outing (a min. of two times).
16. Manage emotions in a positive manner.
17. Have three fashion articles published.
18. Grow my hair out to shoulder length (NO MORE CUTTING)!
19. Potty train Jacob.
20. Teach Jasmine to read.
21. Work on phonics sound with Jeremiah.
22. Enroll Jeremiah in karate classes.
23. Sign Jasmine up for dance lessons.
24. Pay off five medical bills.
25. Save $400 dollars towards braces!
26. Sell $1000 in Mary Kay products.
27. Purchase Adobe Photoshop software.
28. Participate in two ministries at New Hope Church.
29. Purchase living room furniture.
30. Paint the main bathroom.
31. Paint the master bedroom.
32. Build two large bookcases.
33. Use my datebook as a proactive way to manage time.
34. Meditate daily before beginning my day.
35. Clean out refrigerator.
36. Clean out kitchen cabinets.
37. Clean out children’s toys for donation.
38. Build a clothing hamper for laundry room.
39. Hire a personal assistant.
40. Do Jasmine’s hair on a regular basis.
41. Keep in contact with a minimum of five friends a week. Call just to say hello.
42. Send a postcard once a month to customers.
43. Complete tax information.
44. Lose 10 pounds.
45. Walk 30 minutes every day.
46. Take vitamin supplements on a daily basis.
47. Teach Jasmine to tie her shoes.
48. Work on teaching children Spanish.
49. Refresh memory of French.
50. Take the children to Natchez.
51. Stay in a bed and breakfast.
52. Have a birthday party for myself.
53. Plan Jasmine’s birthday party.
54. Plan Jeremiah’s birthday party.
55. Meet once a month with professional women’s network.
56. Plan a fashion show.
57. Blog on family blog once a week.
58. Blog on fashion blog every other day.
59. Blog on MS 4Ws blog twice a week.
60. Plant flowers in front yard.
61. Create a floor plan to transform garage to family room.
62. Purchase a Nintendo DS for myself.
63. Purchase a rice cooker.
64. Create a recipe book.
65. Create a new fashion scrapbook.
66. Read four self- help books.
67. Read two classics.
68. Read one philosophy book.
69. Read three chapters from the bible daily.
70. Put flowers on Zaquan’s grave.
71. Put flowers on my grandmother’s grave.
72. Sew Jasmine three dresses.
73. Make Jasmine ten hair bows.
74. Finish three scrapbooks.
75. Have one dinner party at my house.
76. Join one social club.
77. Stock up deep freezer.

I have concluded...

Since the death of my sister's boyfriend, the suicidal death of my student, an anxiety attack, and the everlasting happenings of life, I have pursued a stronger relationship with God. I have been starting my day with mediation and devotion. My goal is to maintain a positive attitude in 2009. My desire is to continue to grow and mature into the woman I know I am capable of. I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season. May you all have a prosperous year in 2009!

MS 4Ws Blog

Hey, everyone!

When you get a chance, check out the MS 4Ws Blog. I am attending a writing institute once a month! It has been the greatest experience ever! Read our blog and follow along with us! We have a lot of helpful and inspiriing information available!

77 Things in 77 Days!

I will put my accomplishments in larger bold text, so I can share with you my success. 1. Finish writing my thesis.
2. Defend my thesis.
3. Clean up office.
4. Organize office.
5. Purchase a new laptop.
6. Plan a trip to Washington DC this summer.
7. Have two Mary Kay team members.
8. Get two new clients for my image consulting business.
9. Take the children to Jackson’s African American museum.
10. Complete first chapter of my book.
11. Redecorate bedroom.
12. Pay off two credit cards.
13. Have a weekend retreat for myself.
14. Determine what my next step will be in May, regarding teaching.
15. Meet once a month with friends for dinner or an outing (a min. of two times).
16. Manage emotions in a positive manner.
17. Have three fashion articles published.
18. Grow my hair out to shoulder length (NO MORE CUTTING)!
19. Potty train Jacob.
20. Teach Jasmine to read.
21. Work on phonics sound with Jeremiah.
22. Enroll Jeremiah in karate classes.
23. Sign Jasmine up for dance lessons.
24. Pay off five medical bills.
25. Save $400 dollars towards braces!
26. Sell $1000 in Mary Kay products.
27. Purchase Adobe Photoshop software.
28. Participate in two ministries at New Hope Church.
29. Purchase living room furniture.
30. Paint the main bathroom.
31. Paint the master bedroom.
32. Build two large bookcases.
33. Use my datebook as a proactive way to manage time.
34. Meditate daily before beginning my day.
35. Clean out refrigerator.
36. Clean out kitchen cabinets.
37. Clean out children’s toys for donation.
38. Build a clothing hamper for laundry room.
39. Hire a personal assistant.
40. Do Jasmine’s hair on a regular basis.
41. Keep in contact with a minimum of five friends a week. Call just to say hello.
42. Send a postcard once a month to customers.
43. Complete tax information.
44. Lose 10 pounds.
45. Walk 30 minutes every day.
46. Take vitamin supplements on a daily basis.
47. Teach Jasmine to tie her shoes.
48. Work on teaching children Spanish.
49. Refresh memory of French.
50. Take the children to Natchez.
51. Stay in a bed and breakfast.
52. Have a birthday party for myself.
53. Plan Jasmine’s birthday party.
54. Plan Jeremiah’s birthday party.
55. Meet once a month with professional women’s network.
56. Plan a fashion show.
57. Blog on family blog once a week.
58. Blog on fashion blog every other day.
59. Blog on MS 4Ws blog twice a week.
60. Plant flowers in front yard.
61. Create a floor plan to transform garage to family room.
62. Purchase a Nintendo DS for myself.
63. Purchase a rice cooker.
64. Create a recipe book.
65. Create a new fashion scrapbook.
66. Read four self- help books.
67. Read two classics.
68. Read one philosophy book.
69. Read three chapters from the bible daily.
70. Put flowers on Zaquan’s grave.
71. Put flowers on my grandmother’s grave.
72. Sew Jasmine three dresses.
73. Make Jasmine ten hair bows.
74. Finish three scrapbooks.
75. Have one dinner party at my house.
76. Join one social club.
77. Stock up deep freezer.

The Saga of MeMe

Never actually seeing a child in action with an imaginary friend, I couldn't believe one of my children has an imaginary friend. Today, Jasmine introduced me to "MeMe."

Here is the dialogue I watched and participated in today with Jasmine and "MeMe."

Jasmine: Mama, MeMe in the bathroom. She won't come out.
Mama: Tell MeMe to hurry up.
Jasmine: MeMe hurry up. You finish MeMe?

MeMe comes out the bathroom.

Jasmine: MeMe sit down.

MeMe sits down in a green children's chair.

Jasmine: Be quiet MeMe.

MeMe is quiet.

Jeremiah: Mama, who is Jasmine talking to?

Mama: Leave Jasmine alone.

Jasmine: You okay, MeMe? Mama, can I throw this away? MeMe throw up.

Mama: Yes, Jasmine. What happened to MeMe?

Jasmine: She throwed up MeMe. She in the bafroom. told her to spit it out. Won't spit out nowhere. (raising hands in an exasperated manner)


Now, I need to look at the research for children with imaginary friends.

What is your fondest memory?

The Memory by Eudora Welty is a wonderful story about the narrator’s first crush, which I have recently finished reading. The vivid description of setting and the characters bring to life the feelings of the narrator. Do you remember your first love or your first crush? Do you have a memory of a boyfriend/girlfriend, which takes you back down memory lane, taking care to remember the exact clothing and smells around you?