Mississippi

I'm going on vacation. I will have fun with my family & friends. I'm turning my ringer off & leaving my laptop behind. I'm taking a couple of pens & a notebook. I'll be sitting poolside, reading. I'm on vacation... smooches,

...Making Real Lasting Connections

There is so much to tell that I have to start back at last weekend, (19-21 August)!

Friday, the 19th, I attended the Jazz on the Riverfront Business Network in Norfolk, Virginia, hosted by Glen Francis. Mr. Francis invited business owners to be encouraged, connected, and exposed to one another. There were Coffee Distributors, Realtors, Social Network Specialists, Authors, Tailors, Naturalists Landscapers, and there was even a Comedian in attendance! We enjoyed presentations and giveaways as well. A lot of connections were made and I will certainly attend future events!

Saturday, the 20th, I attended the “Molding Mommies” workshop hosted by the founder, Teyonna Aiken. She, along with Nicole Cleveland & Veronica Thomas orally presented motivation through the sharing of their personal stories. These ladies have teamed up to bring awareness to various issues concerning women and girls while actively making positive changes in the Hampton Roads area. Please visit their websites to be uplifted by the great work these ladies are doing.


Nicole Cleveland, Published Author, Blogtalk Radio Host, & Founder of Breathe Again E-Zine


Teyonna Aiken, Founder of Molding Minds

Later in the evening, I met with Sharmetra Pittman, a fellow Light Caster and founder of G.O.A.L. Model. The excitement of being in Sharmetra’s presence had a lot to do with the last meeting I had with Itiel, who is also a fellow Light Caster because we are not just making connections online; we’re meeting face-to-face and seeing just how bright our lights are shining eye-to-eye, but it also gave me an opportunity to hear the wonderful goals & achievements that Sharmetra has set for herself. Her enthusiasm, in my opinion, is what will bring her much success.


Sharmetra Pittman, Founder of G.O.A.L. Model & Life Coach

I sold a few books over the weekend as well. One of my sisters attended all the events with me and she really enjoyed meeting new people and learning about the various businesses and community services in the area. We finished the weekend off with a “Girl’s Day” with our mom and aunt at the movies on Sunday afternoon.

Whew, now that that’s done, I have to tell you all about last week in another post!

smooches,

...of I Felt Good

I had a G-R-E-A-T weekend! Why is this a "big" deal? Well, for one, my family and I spent a lot of time together without list of to do and have to be here or there at a particular time. I went to bed as late as I wanted and slept as late as I wanted to as well. The sleep thing is almost as awesome as the rest that I have to write about because I have a nocturnal circadian rhythm, therefore, I appreciate staying up into the early morning and sleeping until mid-afternoon. I feel more energetic, productive, and happy during this time, but of course with having kids I rarely get to operate this way.

The other reason for my G-R-E-A-T...I was blessed to host the weekly Friday evening Bible Study at my home! I love to entertain! Hosting this uplifting event also gave me the opportunity to prepare appetizing foods, (cooking, another love of mine), for a group of people that I love very much. This also allowed me to photograph more foods for my catering business. My guests were offered:
Creamy Deli Roll Ups


Minty Fruit Medley



Bread Pudding w/Orange Sauce & Whipped Cream


A fresh garden salad, queso dip, & mint flavored iced tea also graced the table. Our night was both spiritually & physically nourished well! On Saturday, I continued basking in my joy of cooking by preparing Blueberry & Strawberry Muffins! They tasted great with a little of the leftover orange sauce!



If you ever want to drop by, let me know, I'd love to welcome you!

smooches,

...of How Come...

…hand washing after using the toilet is drilled into our minds? Yes, it is important and beneficial for health reasons, but I’m just saying how come we aren’t taught to wash our hands BEFORE we use the toilet; especially males? The next time you go to the restroom, wash your hands before you use the toilet and look in the sink as you rinse, lather, and rinse again, then come back here to leave a comment to let me know if you get where I’m going with this. But, yes, please do still wash your hands AFTER you’re done as well!

…”they” say that we, women, don’t know what we want? Hey buddy, how about removing that lustful plank from your eye and then maybe, with a little more coaching from a WOMAN, just maybe “you” will then know that it’s not about what a woman wants, it’s about what she DESERVES! She deserves your respect, just like you. When you want to get a woman’s attention, call her by her name, or Miss, or Young Lady, or Ma’am. Maybe even Darling or Sweetheart will work, (but usually only for distinguished gentlemen…tee-hee), but referring to a female as shawty, (shorty), ma, (this is the one that boils me beyond boiling temperature because I say that if I were you’re “Ma,” you would have been taught how to properly address a lady by your father and I!), or baby-girl is not appropriate. When “you” respect the woman, then you can concern yourself about what it is that she wants...which one thing would be NOT to be called disrespectfully out of her name! (More to come on this later)

…someone asked me, (after asking what type of writing I do), if I had a real job? Had I not been trying too hard to be professional, although taken aback, by responding politely, “Well I’m just pushing my book right now and attending school full-time,” I may have said that no I do not have a “real” job, I have a writing career that is very rewarding and promising with tons of perks and benefits that only one who is happy doing what he/she wants to do can fathom!

I’m just saying…

...of my most embarrassing moment

I am accepting an invitation from Homesteaders Heart to join in on Friday Funnies. The assignment, tell about your most embarrassing moment!!! I'm thinking about turning off the comment option for this one, lol...

35 weeks pregnant.

Husband is at work.

I’m folding laundry.

"First-born" wakes from her nap.

Jet upstairs to release her from behind bars, (the crib).

We smile at the sight of one another.

Lifting her up. UHH-OOOOHHHHH, knees lock!

Was that…oh no!

It’s time!

Calling Anton.

HE’S OUT OF THE OFFICE!!!

Leave a message: “Please tell him that I think it’s time to go to the hospital!”

Now calling Sister *******, “Hey, gotta drop "Evelyn" off. Going to hospital!”

4 of her 8 blessings are sick!

Okay, calling a friend…GREAT, she’s available! "Evelyn" is going there.

Anton arrives; he needs to use the bathroom…wuuuuut!

Finally, I’m at the hospital.

A nurse asks me how long ago my water broke.

Now it’s been about 1 & ½ hours.

She then questions the consistency of contractions.

Contractions?

Well finally, I am told to don a gown and wait for another nurse. All this time I had not had one contraction, but I paid that no mind. Anton and I are chatting when a nurse walks in and explains to me that she has to “check” me and when she is done the doctor will come in to see me. She does her business, tells me that I’m only dilated 1cm and asks if I am sure that my water broke. I told her that I was sure; when I picked my baby up from her crib I felt a gush. Nurse says okay and tells me to relax until the doctor comes in.

Doctor ******** comes in about 15 minutes later with this strange smug smile on his face. He says that I am not in labor, my water did not break, everything is fine and I can go home. Okay, I said, but I felt a gush of liquid, what else could it be? Still professional, however amused, He said, “Well, I don’t want to be the one to tell you that you peed on yourself, but…”

Anton’s head fell down as he seized into laughter. Yes, my husband & my doctor were laughing at me! Now, I was not offended by their laughing, because once I really processed the information as a true fact, I laughed as well. However, I couldn’t wrap my mind around him actually saying peed and not urinate! I wasn’t offended by that either, just stunned. He was a pretty cool OB/Gyn!

...of Fifty

50!

Yep, this is the 50th post! I've noticed that most of our fellow bloggers commemorate their 100th post of one year mark. Well for me, I want to celebrate in a different way. Getting to the 50th post is exciting because I didn't think I would be received well. I thought that my transparency would "scare" you all away. "My stuff might be too raw for some," is one of the many thoughts that flooded my mind in an attempt not to begin blogging. However, I have received much encouragement and even some gratitude for sharing myself in this way. I really don't mind letting people in to see the life that God is working in. How could I keep from others something that is not mine anyway?

Therefore, in celebration of making it "halfway," I have gifts for the 16, (I know under followers it states that there are 15, but I know of one other dear friend who follows), of you all who have encouraged me, prayed for me, advised me, loved me, and blessed me with your blogs as well.

You will all be receiving different gifts. Starting tomorrow thru the following 15 days, I will present "you" with your gift by posting a photo of the gift and "your" name. THIS IS NOT A CONTEST! However, I will choose a gift and then a name will be randomly selected. The only thing you all are required to do is e-mail me your mailing address when you see your name and gift posted.

Thank you all so very much, I mean for me to even just be able to have gotten to 50 is awesome. I really was skeptical, thanks y'all!

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:16 NIV

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

smooches,
Larie

...of random stuff

Good afternoon everyone!

I decided to take a break over the weekend just see how I want to manage my time. I chose the wrong weekend to do some "troubleshooting." My husband had weekend duty so I had bunches of time on my hand outside of entertaining the kids until they got tired of me.

Anyway, here are a few things I want to share. No particular topic, just some random stuff.

1. I received Keri Wyatt Kent's book, 'rest-Living in Sabbath Simplicity, on Friday! I won it by participating in Angela's birthday bash week celebration! Thank you Angie-big SMOOCHES!

2. A grouchy lady walked into her bathroom on Friday morning to brush her teeth, wash her face, etc. and found the words, "I love you. I hope you have a good day!" on her bathroom mirror. I, (I mean grouchy lady), smiled widely and felt all "lovey-lovey" at her husband's love expression!

3. Sunday night, I was in Krispy Kreme until about 10:15 p.m. trying to meet a writing deadline!

4. An announcement was made via text message that my sister's wedding planned for June is no longer a plan; it's cancelled, like the marriage isn't even going to take place either! But the thing that I can't wrap my mind around is that she doesn't know this!!! Therefore, my genuine intention on asking her if she was okay, turned out to be more like a I know something that you don't know type thing. Sorry dude, you should have mentioned in your text that you were telling the family before you told your fiance, uuuuhhhh soon to be X.

...of, the letter 'G

By now you have probably seen or played the fun meme that's going around the blogosphere where you are assigned a letter of the alphabet and you list your 10 favorite things that begin with that letter.

Edie at Rich Gifts had this on her blog and I decided to play along so she assigned me the letter 'G.

If you have not already played but would like to just let me know in the comments and I'll assign you a letter.

1. God - Uuuhhh, do I have to say why?

2. Games - I enjoy gathering with people to, NON-COMPETIVELY, play games. I think it's a great way to get to know one another better and to initiate conversations. It sure beats sitting in front of the t.v. with your guests!

3. Girls' Day - My oldest daughter and I have a day just for us. She gets to decide where we eat and what we do afterward. While we were in Japan, she always chose to go to the Onsen, (hot spring). We get to "talk" and just hang out.

4. Gabrielle's service to God - Luke 1:5-38

5. Genesis 3:16 - This is my favorite scripture!!! It's kinda like my mission statement that helps me "stay in my lane," reminding me that there are consequences for disobedience. It also helps me to understand that God does the punishing according to His discretion, wheather I think it's "fair" or not.

6. Gentleness - I admire those who possess this fruit, (Galatians 5:23). They are my example as I work on bearing it.

7. Guacamole - I love it on rice, as a dip, as a salad dressing, on a burger and in a salad! YUM!

8. Green walls - We let our children pick out the color of the paint they wanted in their room. It's BRIGHT, but it's what they selected. I love allowing them to make decisions.

9. Giggles - Oh yes! Especially when they come from an infant just learning to make the noise!

10. Grace - Again, do I have to explain why this is a favorite?

Aaaaahhhh, I'm at 10 already! okay, I have to add just one more,

11. Green M & M's - Yeah, I know they all taste the same, but for some reason I go for the green ones first!

The picture at the top is of the green wall and one of the "culprits" behind choosing that color.