Why I like Madea!

Hello Dear,
As I ran about doing my house keeping thing I realized why I like Madea. I have never really thought about the fact that I like her and the movies...mostly. But I do like them.
I am married to a New York, Haitian American handsome man. My Parents are educated, Mid-Westerns. They are not so crazy for Madea. They recognize a good movie, but the characters are a bit over the top.....to them. But not so much for myself. Let me explain.javascript:void(0)
I grew up 3 blocks from and parallel to Stewart Ave. 1577 Belmont Ave. On my block there was the Candy Lady, the lonely white guy (who was super nice), the grandmother who wouldn't let her grandchild leave her yard, a Jehovah's Witness family, my boy friend was Pookie (he died of leukemia, i think)and His mom was Barbara Jean, pronounced Baaba Jean. My Neighbor was Jimmy Dean, and Chiquita Banana (we added the banana)lived down the street. My friend Poine Dexter( I know it's spelled wrong)was our Erkle. The characters in the movies are taken right off the corners and blocks of the streets I grew up in. Madea and the others may be just a little extra but I know the real women that make Madea real. I think crazy, loud, loyal, women of that particular stock are made special down hear in the Dirty dirty. And that is why I like Madea.

Travel, Pamper, Shop

Hey guys, I have been thinking and have come to the conclusion that I am living an abundant life. Over the last year there have been things I should not have done or rather I didn't do it right. Let me try to have logical stream of thou hgt. I like travel, pampering myself with Mani & pedicures, I like getting my hair done, coloring my hair, trying make-up. Etc. I am woman. I like to shop, eat out and party. Oh have I mentioned, I am a full time mother and a part-time employee working 15 hrs a week. What that means is money is so precious, how can I possibly do any of those things. This is another of my goals for my life.
I want to live an abundant life, regardless of income. So I am setting out to travel, pamper myself, and shop with in the confounds of my circumstances. I am not doing bad so far.
I have a two day trip to Panama set for Feb 6th using my timeshare, the trip is $120 plus gas and Kecia and I are going. It may even turn into a couples trip. There's my travel plus around June 10 my Little cousin is graduating from high school in Tampa, and around the 4th of July is the Family Reunion. Most of these trip are going to be the cost of gas plus very little. YAY!
On to pampering. I am going to try to self pamper. This way I am taking care of two things rather than one. I have to be still and relax to take the time to file, shape, condition and polish my nails. It is an act of self love to massage and rub my feet with creams, butters, and lotions. I get the dual benefit of giving myself a facial to relax, while I also, clean, moisturize, and care for my face.
Shopping. When ever possible I will run by one of my favorite consignment shops and see what I might find. My most recent purchase was around the holidays. I found a great pair of charcoal jeans. You know, soft, comfortable and CUTE!!!! $8 yeah you heard me!
So this is my thought process. I am going to live more abundantly with less. Amen.

My Angel's are always helping me

Yes, I believe in angels. I believe we all have a guardian, and at times others as well. They whisper to our hearts. Today I woke to a snow day.

How was this a blessing? Well, as you know I have said I want time for me. Well today was totally booked. I was planning to help my girlfriend comb out some of her locks. Then I was having lunch with an ole chum for elementary school. I need to go grocery shopping and I am starting a fast at 7pm. This on top of my everyday activies of picking up kids, cooking dinner and cleaning house. :) So I am not really able to "GO" anywhere. Maia and I slide on a cardboard sleigh down our drive, chased the family dog Cloud all over the neighborhood. Had a ball and then cam home. I proceeded to do one of my Favorite things!!!!! get pampered. ok, yeah I also had to do the pampering but that is ok. I took care of a bikini area, cut and filed/buffed toes, took a hot steamy shower, massaged lotion into my skin head to toe and finished with a mud mask! Wow right! When does a wife and mom get to stop and do all that. When her Angels reminder her of perfect opportunities, like today. So am feeling super good as I took some time for me. Now I am hungry and going to feed my next need and see what else I can do for me today.

Cioa!

Naming the year.

Well this concept comes to me from one of my Sis's. She names each new year. I think fo her this is the Year of Conservation. For me it is the Year of Health. I want to have healthy relationships, Healthy self image, Healthy mental status, you get it right. I want to work on my physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial health.

I know many would think I am working on balance, but I don't believe in life balance any more than loving children the same. Sometimes one kid need more than the other. Likewise one aspect of life may need more attention than the others but I do know I want to bring all areas of my life to a healthier place.

So cheer me on the Year of Health is here!!!!

The Numbers

Ok as for the weight, body measurements

Here are my measurements.

Under Bust 33.5, Bust - 40", Waist -33", Hips (pelvis) - 42.75", across the Butt - 45", Right thigh - 25.25", Left thigh - 26", HEIGHT - 5' 3.5", WEIGHT - 166 lbs

Goal Weight 151 and measurements that go with it.

Financial.... Current Debts

We have 9 Debts ranging from $10 to $1000. The total is 2044. I want that paid off in the 1st half of the year. That is going to take one or both of us finding another Job.

Savings..

This is a biggie. We have $1000 in emergency savings. We need $10,000. And that is just for emergencies.

Annual Bills...

You know I have heard a concept where you actually put money aside for future bills. I want to do that. I want to save for my tax bill a little every month and save for the annual plumber we call and the car tags and Christmas! Yeah, I hate feeling like these things have caused an emergency. We knew they were coming!!! I have calculated that we have a very conservative need of $700-$800/mo more than we make. Again we need another job or two.

Spiritual growth.

I am working on what I want to accomplish this year in this regard. Over the past couple years I have taken a liking to inspired books. I can read these across religous lines. I want to deepen my relationship with the father but I think I must be more accountable to mankind to do so. I want to serve others as well as look introspectively. My funds are limited and so I need to give. Giving and Growing. Maybe that is the goal. I do know that if I seek I shall find and that goes along way.

Until I have another moment....

Happy New Year!!!!!

Hi.....
Well I have not invited anyone to follow me so I don't know who I'm speaking to. Maybe one day I will invite others but this blog is me taking time to to reflect, vent, and/or whatever. I don't know if I am ready to share all my unorganized thoughts with the world. LOL Right!

Any Who I was just inspired by my sis about our goals in 2010. EATING. I really qwant to get a handle on what I am putting in my mouth. We are eating clean and so far it is not a bad thing. I will admit, it can be hard for the snacker in me. I want chips, cookies, salted nuts! We are switching to air popped corn, raw nuts, fruits, and yummy veggies. I know I need to. I have been a size 10-12 jeans for ever. Really for at least the past 18 years minus Child bearing. Them jeans are super tight! Oh did i mention I been trying to be a solid 10 for about as long! Yeah. Well I will keep you posted. I know I should be all brave like my Sis and go and get the measurements but I think that is too much! I did weight in and I am starting this year at 167 and I am 5'3" Goal. 10% for my 1st goal. that will bring me to 151. Then I will get a new goal.
Wish me luck.

What I understand of Love

This week my mind ran across the concept of Love and Unconditional love, and how I want to feel about myself, my life , others and how I really feel about them.
I warn any one that may read... I am not a writer. I will try to keep from looking like a buffoon, but I really don't care for or about spelling, grammer, etc.....

I want to enjoy my life more. Those that know me and know me well, know that I am a lover of fun. I am. Plain and simple. I think I was put here to enjoy and to help others enjoy life. No matter what, I think it's a blessed thing to be able to find a reason to smile and laugh everyday. This year I am trying to do it better. I think I may have figured out one major component. Love! Sounds so easy right? I don't mean, Eros love. You know that romantic love. It is not that loyal, responsible love like family love. I dare compare it with Agape love but it is certainly trying to be that. Good ole fashion unconditional love.
There lies the challenge and the prize! To be able to honestly, wholly, love every situation you are in. You can be uncomfortable, but always have a greater love for the moment. That goes for every place from the poorest to the richest, smallest to grandest, they belong because they are. Every person. To be able to love the God that is in everything and pray about what we don't like.
live in love.
I am learning to Love me in a deeper way. I fell in love with me over 20 years ago, but I'm falling in love again. That sounds really weird, but it's true. I want to change the way my body is right now. But my current body is still me and I am beautiful. I want every once of me to know it is loved as is.... and I only want what is best for us. I try to love my husband with this attitude as well as my kids, but am I succeeding? I think I need to start practicing with my self as well. In the past I have not told myself I was beautiful when I didn't measure up to what I want. I am still beautiful even if I know I can be even finer. Well, I deserve to be loved as is! I am going to love myself, all of myself from this day forward. I think the more we practice a thing the easier it becomes. I will love myself the way I love my children, my husband. Whom ever I love the best, I will try to love the rest as well. hmmmmm. Sounds yummy.

I want to enjoy life more by loving it in it's current state while working to make it better.