100th Post! :-)

Ahhh, at last, I'm sharing for the 100th time. Yes! It's been an enlightening experience~blogging. :-) I've learned a little more about myself, that's for sure.

So, as the year comes to a close, I always find myself having a "year in review" in my mind. What about you? I am overwhelmingly grateful to have had a beautiful 2010. I was moved to a new level of thinking this year. I got to realize a few goals, do what I really wanted to do, give more, smile more, go with the flow a little bit more. I let go of the unnecessary and embraced the essential.

I've expressed so much in my blog(s) in the last 9 months. The highs~~ beginning with flying the trapeze on my birthday to walking with Oprah and Dr. Oz and Gayle and my new friend Lori in the Live Your Best Life Walk on Mother's Day to getting engaged and all the good energy that filled the room that unforgettable night at my engagement party, to seeing Prince in concert and being blessed to plan and celebrate my grandma's 80th birthday shindig, just 2 days ago.

In 2010, I learned that life can be good. It won't be without obstacles and challenges and even a few disappointments, but it can still be sweet and it is always worth living. In 2010, I've learned to see the brighter side and keep on moving. I've learned that it is my choice to dwell on the good or the bad. I've learned that in every experience, there is a possibility to grow, blossom, -especially if it's painful. I've learned the simple truth that we all are here to be of service and spread love. We are powerful beings here to shine our light in it's own unique and neccessary beauty.

I extend soul-stirring gratitude for all the blessings I've received this year. I ask for courage to walk tall into 2011 ready to ride the waves of this glorious, exciting, unpredictable life. Good health, laughter, prosperity, love and joy come on in. I welcome you with open arms! :-)

Sending gusto your way. Tag you're it!

Winding down....whew!

Finally. Almost. At the end. Almost the beginning. Winding down. Settling in. Reinventing. Recharging. Preparing for something brighter in the new year.

Sending you peace & contentment as the year comes to a close. Sharing some pics that I captured on the drive from Augusta to Atlanta today.

Smiles!

Two Cent Tidbits

Happy Thursday night! Boy, can traveling and trying to squeeze in a hundred things in one day be exhausting. I'm safe and sound back in my hometown, Augusta, Ga.

Hope everyone is relaxing right now and ready for a warm and wonderful day of goodness tomorrow.

Just wanted to share a few of my two cent tidbits. So here goes:
*** The sky seems so much bigger, darker and stars a thousand times brighter in Georgia. I never noticed that as a child. :-)

***Everything is m--u--c--h slower is the AUG. lol, Yessiree! I have to consciously remind myself to walk slower.

***I still get a thrill out of seeing a nicely lit house during the holidays. Nothing overboard, but a nice electric blue candle in each window has a peaceful vibe to me. :-)

***It was wonderful to see one of my nephews tonight. I missed him!

Simeon

***Family Guy is really hilarious! really. :-):-)

***Yoga I welcome you into my life consistently in 2011.

***Nothing like a freshly made pecan caramel apple from Kilwins. Yum-ola!

***Nice to exhale. ;-)

***Hugs are the best!

***Oprah's hair looks SOOOOOO healthy.

***Nothing better than giving. Can't wait till manana!

Sending sweet surprises your way. Tag you're it!

Anybody better? :-)

Good glorious morning! It's the eve of Christmas eve and I'm up at the break of dawn. I am so grateful that to be on my way to my dear one and then to my mom and family. Ahhhh, how wonderful it is to get out of the hustle and bustle for a few days. :-)

I'm sitting here listening to a popular song by Marvin Sapp, "Never Would Have Made It." This song went straight to the top of the charts because folks can relate to his testimony. Tears are rolling down my cheeks because I can too. He sings:

"I'm Stronger. I'm Wiser. I'm Better. Anybody Better?"

Yes!!! I am. Thank God. I am so much better. I can remember more than 3 years ago, I was feeling down, searching for the light that I knew was in me somewhere. I was feeling mighty bad (as Sofia said in The Color Purple). Not realizing that even in my storm, I was blessed and highly favored. But, the storm is over now. I woke up. I'm not just existing anymore. I am living! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. I know now every struggle, every wave, every obstacle makes me a stronger gal, a better cdm/lylah. I'm not where I'm destined to be~yet, but thank all-that-is-marvelous that I'm beyond where I was. :-)

Now, that's something to celebrate!

Life is good. And it's Christmastime! It's time to see loved ones and share and be merry. I pray the joy of the holidays remains with each of us throughout the year.

I pray that each of us receives inner peace and allows nothing to shake that peace now or ever.

I pray that each of us affirms our beauty, strength, uniqueness & intelligence right now and walks into 2011 with this truth.

Sending you overflowing joy. Tag you're it!

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well".~ Psalms 139:14



My fun findings this year :-)

Happy Winter Solstice! We are here. Near the end of the first year of a new decade. I remember how odd it felt to say 2010. I mean when I was a kid that seemed like the name of a Sci-Fi flick. :-)

So, I've been pondering what I've discovered this year. What moved me in some way, what made me think, what or who made me laugh or even cry (in a good way). I'll start off with 10. I would really love to hear from you too!

***Brussel Sprouts. Yes, in 2010 I tasted this peculiar veggie for the first time. I didn't intend too. It was a part of a delicious dish I ordered at a restaurant in the city. To my surprise they were quite delectable!

***Bags made out of recycled water bottles. Totally cool and helpful to our deteriorating environment.

***A renewed appreciation for a good Broadway show. I hadn't been to a show in a few years. It was nice to see 2 this year.

***Flying trapeze. What a thrill to try that on my birthday this year! Weeeeeeeeee. :-)

***Kevin Hart. The little man (as he refers to himself) is hilarious!

***Five Wishes, a book by Gay Hendricks. The last book I read this year. Excellente!

***I found it adorable to watch Nick Cannon speak lovingly about his wife Mariah Carey on the Rachel Ray show. I love love! ;-)

***The movie Eat, Pray, Love. Beautiful. :-)

***One of my top 5 favorite talk shows to be a part of the studio audience---The Jimmy Fallon Show. Uh, who knew?! I'm still holding out hope/prayers/wishes for my tickets to The Oprah W. show. :-)

***A renewed appreciation for the moon. It's amazing!

***Oh, and I can't forget my most uplifting discovery this year has been sharing with you through this blog! Thanks for checking in when you can. :-)
Your turn!

Sending sweet discoveries your way. Tag you're it!

inspired to go higher:-)

Oh what a day! I'm ever-so-grateful for experiencing a good Monday. It's pretty terrific when the week starts off just fine.:-) Plus, it's only 2 more days and I'm off until 2011. Yes!

I'm sure you've figured out by now, I'm a gal that feeds off of inpiration. I receive it from the beauty of the ocean, the glow of the sunshine, words from wise souls~ young and old. There are so many ways I have been moved in my life. Today I was especially awed by someone I've come to call a sister~friend in the last 4 years.

I've described her as walking sunshine to many. I've yet to meet a person who is always up (cheerful, simply delighted to be alive), who has an unwavering sense of self, self-respect, self-love, self-confidence and inner peace, which she allows nothing and no one to shake. I've observed her way of riding the waves of life, and I've learned a thing or two by doing so. She has an aura that makes folks just feel like opening up to her. It's rare. She is always giving of herself, in a genuine, caring way. She gives 100% no matter what she is doing. One thing, I immediately found so beautiful about my friend is that she ALWAYS says thank you AND you're welcome. No matter what. Whether it be a simple email or a birthday gift, this lady never fails to respond with a friendly "thank you." After about a year, I was thinking ok, eventually she'll get lazy and NOT say thank you. No way. Not only consistent thank-yous, but alsowhenever, I've said thank you for anything she's given me, she glowingly says, "you're welcome." lol. This simple gesture, means more than you could ever know. ;-) Acknowledgment rocks!

In life, I believe we attract people that we need to teach us lessons. Some stay forever, some are in our lives for just a season. I know for sure this gal pal, sunbeam, has taught me to see how grand and lovely and precious life is on a daily basis. Not only when things are fine and dandy. She reminded me of what I've always known about life~it is a gift, we must never take for granted. Just by walking in her magnificence, she helped move me into my better self. She is lives in light. And just as Mandela and Marianne Williamson has been quoted as saying, as my friend walks in her light and shines, she inpires me to dare to do the same. God is good about sending us "reminders" in the form of human angels. :-)

Today, sunbeam shared some amazing news. I already knew she had recently completed her masters in clinicial biology (to become a research scientist). Little did I know that she had also proposed a new position at a leading hospital in NYC, presented it to her professors/mentors and GOT it. Her vision was realized. Her hardwork, her overflowing confidence, and her tremendous well of love from her closeknit family and friends helped to make her dream a reality. She is a living proof that if you can see it you CAN be it.  As she says often, just have faith, work hard, believe in yourself with all your being, and God will take care of everything. What an amazing way to live. I'm so proud of her!

It was so invigorating to rejoice in the good tidings of someone close to heart. What a way to start off the last two weeks of the year!

For this I am so grateful.

Sending sundrops of love your way. Tag you're it!

Take 5... Celebrate!:-)

Hello & happy Friday! The weekend is here and I'm one delighted gal. I hope your week was good, and I hope your weekend is the best ever!
Time is winding down until 2011. I'm going to squeeze as much goodness as I can out of the rest of 2010! :-)

I figured a sweet start could be taking 5 minutes to celebrate what I'm thankful for right now. Because I deeply do believe that gratitude breeds goodness! So,here goes:
***I am ALIVE. Yep. Just the fact that I can see, hear, taste, smell, walk, talk, laugh, love, be warm, and think for myself is something I certainly am pretty glad to celebrate!

***I'm going to see Prince in concert tonight. Yeah baby!!

***I'm going to see my mom, my sister, my brother, my nephews, a few cousins, and my dear one next week! :-) What a way to end the year!

***I went to the Jimmy Fallon show yesterday and it was f-u-n! Love a good taping.

***I mailed all my holiday cards! Yippee, by now they should have all arrived at their destinations.

***The sun is shining!

***I laughed today. :-)

***I made someone laugh today. :-):-):-)

Your turn!

Sending energy your way. Tag you're it!

Go with the gut! :-)

Happy Tuesday!
Today, I'm going get right to what is on my mind. ;-)

It's about going with what I really feel and/or believe. I don't know about you but for many years I would second guess myself. I would think too much about what someone else might think about my decision or my choice. As I get older, it becomes a little easier to trust that instinct. Yet, I do notice there are times when I still hesitate to just go with the gut.

I remember hearing someone say whatever you first thought is, that usually is the right one. I'm starting to believe it. Maybe not for coming to conclusions about people, but at least for coming to a "yes or no" about doing something.

Today, at work something came up. A question. An invitation to do something that immediately upon reading I knew I had no desire to do. It wasn't required "work" and it will not affect make my life in any significant way if I simply say no. Yet I paused before simply doing so. I hesitated before doing what my gut wanted to do. I no longer want to do anything that doesn't uplift or fuel me in some way. That fuel could be a plethora of things--a good chat, laughter, useful information, mutual friendship, helping others, relaxation, exercise, brainstorming, whatever. I just don't want to waste my time just doing things in order to make others feel comfortable. Or doing things that my gut, which in essence in my heart and soul, doesn't truly want to do.

So, it's time to go with the gut! No more second guessing myself when I actually feel every fiber of my being saying NOOOOOOOOO or YESSSSSSSS!:-)

Sending liberation your way. Tag you're it!

Got.Give. :-)

Yes, it's Saturday! A chance to organize, refuel, and figure out what's on the agenda for the next week, month, & maybe even the new year. ;-)

I've been thinking about ways to give. My cousin mentioned I should share some ways. So, here are 8 great ways to give. We all have something to give because we are blessed in unique ways. I've found that giving from my heart is the best feeling ever. I love sharing ideas, news, laughter, experiences. It is an exchange of love, really. No matter what I may be going through, there's always, and I do mean always something I can give. Even if it's just a smile!

So here are 8 great ways to give. (you know 8 is my favorite number:-))

**Got a closet filled with clothes you rarely wear? What about a chest of toys the kids have outgrown? Grab a few bags and/or boxes and fill them up with your old but still wearable garb. There are several u places to donate clothes. Every town has a salvation army, goodwill or church that will gladly accept your gently used clothes.
Going through the toybox with your kids is a great way to get them involved with giving and sharing. It's never too early to start learning the gift of giving.

**Got old cell phones taking up space? Donate them to one of the many recycling programs. Here's a useful link to find drop off locations in your area: http://www.donateaphone.com/CalltoProtect/dropoff_states.cfm?state=New%20York

**Many senior citizens spend the holidays alone. If you have room at your table, consider inviting an elderly neighbor or someone who lives alone to join your celebration. It may be the best gift they've received in a long time. :-)

**Got books (in readable, clean condition ;-))? There are several programs that accept books and do wonderful things with them, such as Books for Soldiers, Books for Africa, and Better World Books, just to name a few.

**Got time? Share it with folks at a local soup kitchen, community center, or homeless shelter. Doing is giving.

**Got cash?  Give a microloan to a woman in a developing country. As little as $25 can help lift her family out of poverty. You choose an entreprenuer and receive email updates to see how the venture is going. Check out http://www.kiva.org/lend for more details. How awesome!!!

**Got talents? Of course, you do! Share your skills to make someone's life a little sweeter. For instance, do you love creating photo albums? I bet you know someone who has boxes of old photos that could use a home. Offer to put these "memories" in a beautiful photo album. Or go a step beyond and scan old photos onto a cd to create an electronic album that could also be produced into a leather photobook. It's fun and all the time and effort will last a lifetime. :-)
Think about something you enjoy doing and offer to do it for someone who may not.

**Got a naggy habit you really want to overcome? I sure do. This would be a gift to those closest to you, say your partner, best friend, co-workers. Recently, my dear one, humorously, made me aware of a phrase I use way more than is necessary. So I'm started to think of a couple of phrases that may be getting overused in my vocabulary i.e. "I'm so tired, oh Lord, and that's so annoying." :-/ I'll stick with my silly words and phrases though--like "you rock, sugarplum, and fantabulous!" In the meantime, I'm on a mission to lessen (cutdown to no more than once a week) my use of blah, not-really-of-any-use-to-the-world phrases.

Sending creativity your way. Tag you're it!

Two cent tidbits :-)

Happy December 2010! It's the holiday seasonnn (I'm singing that to you) :-). Yep it's surely Christmastime in the city. The lights are lit, the streets are full, and folks are a just a tad more jolly. I think this time of the year puts a little twinkle in everyone's eyes. At least I hope so. :-)

 

Of course, lots going on out there. Some things that make me think really... and some that simply sadden me. In the midst of politics, entertainment, work and stuff, I've discovered a couple of sweet things in the last few weeks, too. Here goes:

**Have you heard that Trump is considering running for President? Would you vote for him? I actually think he would have a good shot at winning.

**Lots of sad news lately: Elizabeth Edwards lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday. I was watching several clips about her in the last 24 hours and she seemed like quite a remarkable woman. She gave birth to her last child at age 50! Wow. She was an author, lawyer, supportive wife and a politician in her own right--even though she never ran for office. I pray her children go on to lead healthy, joyful lives. May she rest in peace.

**Barbra Walters' interview with Oprah airs this Thursday. Can't wait to watch it!

**Am I the only one who gets a high from sending greeting cards? It's really makes me happy. lol

                                                                                      cool card at Papyrus

 

**Jennifer Hudson is so tiny now. Supposedly, she is now a size 4. Wowsers! Where there's a will, there's a way.

**I like Paula Deen, even though just watching her whip up her recipes makes me feel 10lbs heavier...:-) Take a look at these goodies. Whoopie cookies. Yum!

**What are your thoughts on Obama? Has he been too "nice"? I think so. :-(

**So sad to hear Aretha Franklin has pancreatic cancer. Let's all send her healing thoughts.

**I really like Obama's new children's book "Of Thee I Sing." It's beautiful!

**Aren't these pretty?

You can make sparkly candles just like these, according to Martha Stewart (check out her website for details). All you need are candles, glitter, spray adhesive and a shoe box. I'm will surely try this craft project. I'll keep you posted. ;-)

**Guess who's performing at the Bachelor party for Prince William? None other than Snoop Doggy Dog. Now that's crossover fa~shizzy!:-) Music unites the world. Gotta love it!

**Lastly, my beloved MJ has a new single out with Akon. It's cool. It's called Hold My Hand. I just like hearing MJ sing. His legacy lives on! http://www.musicloversgroup.com/akon-feat-michael-jackson-hold-my-hand/

Sending a little cheer and goodness your way. Tag you're it!

Smiles!

And So It Is... :-)

Hello and welcome to December! As I sit here at the dawn of a new day and month, I'm still basking in the joy of last Saturday. It's good to just sit in quietness, sometimes. All I can hear is the swish of the cars driving outside in the rain and the pitter-pat of my fingers on the keyboard. :) My heart is warm. My mind is clear. My soul is grateful to God from whom all blessings flow.

So, this past Saturday was a very special day. My cousin Danielle and aunt Suzanne planned an Engagement party for me and my dear one. ;-) I have to admit I've never been to such a party, though I'd heard of them and seen them on tv. I was touched when Danielle told me that she really wanted to have this party for us. That was just the beginning of the filling up of my heart....

I have been sharing moments of the night with a few people this week. However, I'm not sure I've been expressing what truly happened to me on 11.27.10. You see I was a very shy and self-conscious little girl. I struggled with feeling valued. I often felt like an oddball, even an ugly duckling, at times. My quest since college has been learning to accept and love myself in all things, at all times, no matter what. This love has finally blossomed after so many years of praying, reading, journaling, listening, analyzing. (yep, all that). And in coming to my own acceptance and love of myself, I've been able to embrace and finally FEEL the love from those around me. Which brings me to Saturday.

We walk in the door of my aunt's beautiful home and the first face I see is my dad's. And the first emotion I feel is happiness. Almost everyone comes to welcome us. The love is starting to ooze out. :-) Now, I had no idea what would unfold soon after our arrival. Folks are feeling light and joyful. Celebrating. My cousin then asks my dad to come and make a toast. So, of course, my father takes the floor and he begins to say things that I've always dreamed of hearing. All I can remember clearly was my dad calling me his princess and saying how much he loves me. I felt my heart getting so full from this love and I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. In my mind, I was saying to myself, breathe, take it all in. I was biting my lip not to cry like a baby. Have you ever felt so full with joy that you can't contain it? This is what was happening to me. In those moments as my dad was speaking to me and my loved ones, I felt elated. I've never felt quite like that before. I felt like his little girl again. I'm the eldest child so I don't usually feel that way. But, this night reminded me that I'll always be my dad's princess. Wow. His toast ended with lots of hugs and kisses. :-)

That was not the end though. My uncle Dane was up next. I've referred to him many times as the Best Uncle Ever. He really is. He is adored by my entire family. Just gotta meet him to know what I mean. :-) He stirred up the emotions too. It was more than I can even begin to express. It was love. Authentic, overflowing love.

So, my dad has spoken, my uncle. The music begins again.....But wait, the man of the hour stands up. Yes, my dear one aka Xavier now has something to say. Now, this is so not planned. In fact, everything that has happened thus far is totally organic and surprisingly awesome to me. He stands up and says something like "you know we had a whirlwind romance, and we knew pretty soon that we wanted to be married. I proposed but the next day I was thinking I really want to know her family a bit better. So" he reached out (he pointed to my dad) and mentioned Dane (i think)..., and then he said something that REALLY surprised me he said something like "that is why I'm so glad to be here with you all so that I can ask her again .." and then he got down on one knee, looked me in my eyes and pulled out another ring (of course, I already had the original one he gave me when he proposed on Aug. 19th :-)) and asked me to marry him. Ok, in those seconds, minutes, moments, I was having an out of body experience. I was already on another "plane" from the words of my first love--my dad. & then Dane. Now, dear one is pulling this. lol. All I can remember is thinking oh my God, I'm so blessed. I am so grateful. I hear noise. Ooos and ahhhs and the room is overflowing with tears and love and joy. This is a true CELEBRATION!

There is so much I could say about that night. What this night meant to me is beyond words. It was like a culmination of all that I've prayed for in regards to feeling loved and necessary and valued. I could not ask for a more touching jumpstart to the next chapter of my journey. How lucky. No, how blessed am I to have family and friends to take time out of their lives to celebrate my happiness. My new love. How blessed am I to have attracted a man that genuinely cares about every aspect of my being. To have found someone to talk to every day to share my hopes, dreams, trials and joys. How blessed am I to have found love within. This love has allowed me to realize that I've had love all along. It's good to be awake, finally!

Thank you Danielle. Thank you Suzanne. Thank you daddy for expressing a father's pure love for his daughter. Thank you dear one for choosing to share your life with a gal like me.

My heart is grateful for this journey~ the ups, the downs, the everythings. I am open and receptive to more lessons in love. I know for sure that the goodness of that night, my engagement party, the lovefest of my life (so far) will fuel me whenever I get down about the "stuff" of life. I am glad. Very glad for that experience.

And so it is....that I am loved. I am lovable. I am a loving being. Yes!

Sending overflowing gratitude your way. Tag you're it!