Diary of a happy black woman

2007-08-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

SOMETHING NEW!

Just for fun and to see if I have an entreprenurial side other than running a daycare, I have decided to try my hand at something new. I will be having a little online business. I am an independent consultant for a small company called STUFFED WITH FLUFF.

What is Stuffed With Fluff, you may ask? It is similar to BUILD A BEAR except you may make purchases online. I will be selling stuffed animal kits, stuffed animal purses, recordable chips to record your voice to put inside the stuffed animal and clothing for the stuffed animal.

With Christmas fast approaching, I think these would make great gifts or stocking stuffers. It is a gift and an art project all rolled into one. Kids love them because they get to create them. I love the idea of the recordable chip. If you have a loved one who lives far away, you could make a stuffed animal for them, put your voice on the recordable chip and place it inside. Everytime your loved one squeezes the stuffed animal, they will hear your voice. What a wonderful keepsake!

If anybody wants to take a look, I will supply you with my personal link to my personal website. Please use this link only.... or I will not get credit from my clients for their purchases.

Thanks in advance to all of my family and friends for your support. Please share my link and pass it on to others.

http://stuffedwithfluff.com/store/aGo.asp?aff=141

2007-06-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

FRIENDS!

How many of us have them?

I went back home to Los Angeles a few weeks ago for my nephew's graduation. Well, actually the graduation took place in San Diego. During the drive from L.A. to San D., my sister decided to play some oldies but goodies songs as well as raps on the car CD player just for kicks. Boy oh boy, were we laughing at how different the raps of yesterday sound compared to the junk (excuse me raps) of today.

My son was such a trooper because I know he was in the backseat suffering while we went on and on about how many of the songs and the raps of yesterday usually had positive messages. The ones that didn't have a positive message were just downright silly and pretty much harmless. "I said ah Hip- hop - duh hibby duh hibby hibby hip hip hop you don't stop to rocking to the bang bang boogie said up jump the boogie to the rhythm of the boogety beat". "Psycho-alpha-disco-beta-bio-aquadoodloop..the underwater boogie baby...yeah Oh". Harmless right? Nobody was getting shot, running from the police, selling drugs, saying every cuss word in the book, disrespecting their parents, calling women names that are degrading or any of that type of junk.

One of the raps that my sister had on the oldies but goodies CD was called "FRIENDS". Do you remember it? "Friends, how many of us have them.....Friends, ones we can depend on... Well I had totally forgotten that this song/rap even existed. But you know, it got me to thinking that having, or keeping even just one good friend in this crazy world we live in is as rare as finding a four leaf clover.

Today's blog is dedicated to friendship. If you have a good friend, husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, Mom, Dad, brother, sister, son, daughter, cousin or anyone in your life who you think is special and they feel the same way about you, count yourself blessed. If you haven't come across a loyal person in your life yet that you can share your heart with, then pray and ask God to place that person in your path. God will do it. God never intended us to stand alone, hurt alone, or even laugh alone. This is why we email jokes to each other all the time. We don't want to laugh alone, we want to share the FUNNY! We all need each other. I heard a saying that goes " One of the strangest things about someone with definiteness of purpose, is the readiness at which the world steps aside & even helps them in their aim". This means that in order for us to accomplish our purpose, there will be others in our lives to help us along.

I began thinking, "how well do I really know my friends and how well do they really know me"? We rush through life from day to day investing ourselves into things that really don't even matter. What really matters is people, relationships and sharing the love of God with others. Everything else is just gravy.

One of my friends recently sent me a "Getting to know you" question and answer page. When I first saw it, I laughed because this particular friend has known me since the 5th grade. I won't tell you how many years it has been now since we have known one another because then that would give away my age.....but let's just say it has been a long, long time. Anyhoo, I filled out the page. I looked at her answer page too. It was then that I realized how you could know someone for forever and not even take the time to know them in depth. To tell you the truth, I didn't even know how to answer some of the questions for my own answer page, which means that I haven't taken the time to REALLY get to know myself. How sad but how true. You know, we can't even begin to be a good friend to someone else until we have learned how to be a good friend to ourselves.

Below, I will be giving you a FRIENDSHIP question and answer quiz. Take the time to answer these questions about yourself and then answer the same questions about a good friend of yours. See how much you really know about yourself and your friends. If you can't answer at least half of the questions correctly about a friend then it is time to stop watching TV and start prioritizing your friendships and relationships.

The Friendship Quiz

1. Favorite color

2. Favorite food

3. Favorite animal

4. Favorite song

5. Favorite season (winter, summer, fall, spring)

6. Favorite holiday

7. Vacation: skiing in the mountains / relaxing on a tropical beach

8. Watching TV / Reading a good book

9. Popcorn / Peanuts

10. Cake / Pie

11. A big party with lots of people / a small party with close friends

12. Sports car / SUV

13. Romantic date: casual picnic on the beach / fancy candle-lit dinner

14. Disneyland / Six Flags

15. Clothing preference: Dressy / Casual

16. Iced Tea / Lemonade

17 Favorite ice cream flavor

18. Cat / Dog

19. Bird / Fish

20. Favorite car color

21. Name a hobby

22. Name a talent

23. Funny, loud or outgoing / Quiet, shy, laid back / Perfect mix

24. Favorite scripture

25. Favorite candy

Now, if you have answered at least half of these correctly, then you are well on your way to being a good and interested friend. Here is one more question. See if you can answer it. Who is your very best friend....he sticks closer than any brother...he gave his life for you....he loves you more than you love yourself? Did you guess? That's right! JESUS!

P.S. Make sure you Click it or Ticket so that I will know that you took the quiz!

2007-05-31T17:08:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!

THIS JUST IN!!!!!

Okay folks, I know my blog title has the word "happy" in it but right at this moment, I am NOT a "HAPPY CAMPER". I am mad! MAD AT THE DEVIL! Mad enough to start a prayer chain that will stomp the devil's ugly BOO-TAY back to the pit.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a great love for children. Children are near and dear to my heart. I pray for them and stand in the gap for them all the time. I don't think there is any way to get me more fired up than to tell me that a child has been harmed or wronged in any way. I will pray and go to bat for them with everything I have within me.

Well, now it is time for me to pray and I am asking all of you to join your faith with mine in agreement. Let's agree that our children will seek after righteousness. Let's not be ashamed to tell everyone we know that Jesus is the real deal and satan is a cheap counterfeit.

I know that there are many people (including some Christians) who won't agree with me....BUT THIS IS MY BLOG AND I WILL WRITE WHATEVER I WANT TO. I have heard arguments from every angle and the only thing I will agree with is THE WORD OF GOD. So here goes...

I just found out that Universal Studios park in Florida is scheduled to open a HARRY POTTER WIZARDRY WORLD. They are hoping to have it opened for 2009. WHY, WHY, WHY? Why.....because the devil is after the children of this generation like no other generation before. First it was the books, then the movies and now this. They plan on making the Hogwart's School (Witchcraft School) the centerpoint of the theme area. This will be the focal point much like Cinderella's and Sleeping Beauty's castles at the Disney theme parks. There will be rides and shops all based on the places, things and people (witches, warlocks, demons) that were in the books and movies so that kids and adults can live out the experience.

"Oh you are being ridiculous" I can hear some people saying. "This is just some harmless fantasy for the kids". "Gee whiz, let's not go making big deal out of this". WELL TOO BAD....I am making a big deal. The devil is after our kids. What starts off as harmless fantasy fun can end up in total immersion in witchcraft and all things satanic.

In Toys R Us, I have seen the Harry Potter dress up outfits, the cauldrons and games. The bible tells us that by our words we are justified or condemned. Wouldn't the devil love the kids to put on the Harry Potter outfit and pretend to summon up some pretend demons and such....only to end up really summoning them. Devil.....you ain't slick......we see what you are up to and we aren't having it. Wouldn't the devil love the kids to imagine that they could really levitate while they ride on one of the rides in the amusement park. Why?.....to wet their appetite to really want to levitate. To seek and search out how this can really be possible. I heard some kids on a news program being interviewed and the kids were talking about how "COOL" it would be to be able to cast spells and have the power to make others do what they wanted them to do. In the bookstore in my local mall the witchcraft section has almost become as large as the Christian section. Something is wrong with this picture.

I read an article that said that the Harry Potter books and movies have done more to promote witchcraft to children and adults than the promotion of witchcraft by true witches could have ever done. Children and adults alike are hitting the internet and bookshops to learn more about witchcraft and how they too can become a witch, have power, learn how to cast spells and control others. I did some internet research. There are bunches of Harry Potter websites that allow children to VIRTUALLY attend the Hogwarts (witchraft) school. The children can actually do assignments and turn them in online. There were many subjects for the children to learn including divination, horoscopes, sorcery, potions and spells. I also saw a dictionary on the the H.P. web page for kids to learn the definition and pronunciation of many terms used in witchcraft.....then some of the words had side notes to let you know how to apply them in witchcraft. From these websites, there are links that can lead you to REAL witches websites where among other things, they sell authentic wands with crystals and other precious stones on the tips of them for casting spells, potions, powders, spell books and the list goes on. Harmless, right? NO WAY!!!! We know that this is all tied to spirits of rebellion, manipulation and control. God is not pleased and it is time for those of us who know what is right to stop twiddling our thumbs and start praying for our young'uns. The only power we need is the power IN THE NAME OF JESUS. With this power, the devil is subject to us. We can cast him out and he has got to go.

I was sent an email by a member of my Children's Church team. The email talked about how high the percentage is of people accepting Christ in their youth compared to the low percentage of people in their teenage and adult years. This is a huge reason why the devil likes to target the children and it is also the reason why WE MUST value and go full force with Children's ministry. It is important for us to plant the Love of God in their hearts early. Let's each make it a goal to tell a child how much Jesus already loves them....before they learn how to cast a LOVE SPELL on somebody to try and make someone love them.

Deuteronomy 18: 10-13 (New International Version)

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord and the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God.

If you have participated in the reading of these books, seeing the movies, playing the games, or any other form of witchcraft....etc., and you were unaware that these things were destestable to God and you would like to repent (turn away from such things) and accept Jesus as Lord, then today is a happy day for you.

Pray now.......Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner and today I repent and choose to turn away from anything that displeases you. I am saying with my mouth and I believe with my heart that you sent your son Jesus to shed his blood, die for my sins and that he rose up from the dead just for me. Today I choose to live for you Lord, and I know that if I sin, you are ready to forgive me if I ask you to. In Jesus Name Amen.

Romans 10:9 John 3:16

If you just prayed that prayer, then the BREAKING NEWS is that you just got SAVED!

NOW I AM A HAPPY!

2007-05-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

Click It or Ticket

Hey guys and gals, first let me start off by saying have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. We usually hear the term "Click it or Ticket" around this time because it is the start of the Summer holidays, parties, gatherings and road trips. The Po Po (5-O', cops, police) tell us to click on those seatbelts to help keep us safe from all of the drunk drivers on the road. So please be aware of this. This is no small thing. Of course, it is always good to pray and ask God to send angels of protection to camp around and about you......but YOU also need to use wisdom so buckle up. OKAY?

I am aware that 95% of my readers ARE NOT BLOGGERS and do not have access to the blog to leave comments. So many of you have e-mailed comments to me saying that you were happy I was blogging again. I just wanted to let all of you know that your comments were very appreciated. Feel free to e-mail your comments anytime. (Phito, I did receive your comment that you went back and re-read all of the archives again just for laughs)....that was so sweet. Another way you all can let me know that you stopped by, is by CLICKING onto my profile page. NO, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO READ MY PROFILE PAGE EVER AGAIN! But if you CLICK it, the number in the bottom left hand corner will go up and I will know that you stopped by to read the latest. So do me a favor everytime you stop by to read.....CLICK IT or get a TICKET!

P.S. Um, Hell'er (hello) Please don't make me have to send Ma'Dear up to the front door of your house or come up to your job with your TICKET and her PIECE OF STEEL. Do yourself a favor and just CLICK IT!

2007-05-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

MOVIE REVIEW

Well, I may be on the late freight because I didn't see this movie on opening weekend but I think it is worth a mention. I am not into comic books or action figure type movies but due to all the hype, I saw Spiderman 3.

I saw Spiderman 1 and I thought it was okay as those type of movies go but it was not great enough to send me rushing into the theater for Spiderman 2. I did however love Spiderman 3 and I wasn't even trying to.

The special effects were great as usual but what most impressed me was the storyline. The storyline held my attention throughout the movie and it kept my attention way after I got over the special effects.

If you haven't seen the movie yet or you are simply waiting until it comes out on DVD, I won't ruin it for you. I will say that I saw many biblical principals applied within the storyline dealing with love, friendships, betrayal, selfishness, selflessness and most importantly learning how to forgive and what happens when you don't.

I will definitely be using this movie as a guideline for one of my Sunday School teaching lessons. I am sure any child's ears will perk up when I talk about Spiderman....then I will hit 'em with the biblical principal concerning unforgiveness. It's not just for kids though. Learning how to forgive frees us all to be what God intended us to be.

Who would have ever thought Spiderman could be the subject of a Sunday School lesson? So kiddos and grown folks, grab a box of popcorn and a drink and see this movie if you haven't already.

Oh, and make sure you don't ever get tangled in a WEB of UNFORGIVENESS! It can become a sticky situation.

2007-05-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

HEY, EVERYBODY... I'M BACK !

Writing is such a wonderful outlet for me but when life seems to get going in full swing, it is often hard to make or take the time to write. I just recently took a couple of trips. One to New Orleans, my husbands hometown and one to Los Angeles, my hometown. It was really good to see family and friends that I had not seen in a while. During my mini Vacays, I was encouraged by many of you to continue writing as a way of staying connected. So at your request, I'm back.

Thanks for your interest and thanks for wanting to hear all the ridiculous things I have to say. I can sure come up with some INTERESTING TID BITS if for no other reason than to entertain myself. I am a strong believer in laughter. As I have stated in previous posts, I make it a goal to get in my 13 laugh quota each day. The thing is, life is so funny that I really don't have to make anything up. You know what I am talking about.

p.s. The pictures above are of the Grove in Los Angeles and Rivers Restaurant in New Orleans.

2006-08-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

One Year Later

It is so hard to believe that Hurricane Katrina happened just about one year ago. I have personally seen the affects of the Hurricane. It was just about one year ago that I noticed a news report stating that Katrina would most probably hit New Orleans and that people should begin evacuating. I have lived in Los Angeles all of my life but I recently moved to the Houston Texas area. My husband is a native of New Orleans and many of his family members were still residing there at the time of Katrina. Knowing the proximity between Houston and New Orleans, I began tidying up my guest room because I knew that my in-laws were most probably on the way to Houston in the evacuation process......and they were. As we were glued to the TV and watched the news unfold day after day, it was not only heart-wrenching to see what was going on in New Orleans but it was very painful to witness the emotions of uncertainty of the future and loss of the past life that my in-laws knew may be gone for good. I prayed a lot during those days. I thanked God that I had a home to make available to some of them until they were able to get back on their feet.

All of my husband's family was accounted for except for one elderly uncle who refused to leave. I am sorry to say that he perished in the flood waters that rose into his home but everyone else did evacuate and are still in the process of trying to rebuild their lives. Some have moved to Houston permanently. Some moved to Dallas and others have gone back to New Orleans to see if they could try and salvage some of the life they once knew. Things will never ever be the same again for them. The rich culture that made the city of New Orleans unique, vanished overnight. To me, New Orleans was like no place else on earth. They called it "The Big Easy". The theme was "Let the good times roll". The music, the food, the language and the people had their own flavor....much like the Gumbo dish that they are so famous for. The first time I visited New Orleans, I was taken by surprise. You must remember that I was coming from Los Angeles where strangers rarely speak to you or look you in the eye as they pass you on the street. Everywhere I went in New Orleans, I was genuinely and whole-heartedly greeted like a long lost cousin. I can't begin to tell you how many times I was offered to partake in the culinary offerings of others. I quickly found out that to decline was almost darn near offensive. The folks of New Orleans take great pride in their cooking. It is almost like a secret contest. Who makes the best Gumbo or Pralines? Whoever is offering you some at the time!

The architecture is simply fabulous in New Orleans and the French Quarter. There are beautiful Victiorian homes, Acadian styled homes, Gothic looking homes and an exquisite host of other types. There are houses with ornate wrought iron railings going around wrap-around porches and galleries. There are beautiful gardens to accompany these homes, especially on Magazine Street. I just loved going down St. Charles Street on my visits to the French Quarter. I would see the lovely mansions with their gas-light lamps as I viewed the quaint street car (trolly) making its way down the street and I would be immediately transported to a different place and time. It was almost like getting a brief glimpse into history. There is the mixture of Spanish, French, African and Indian influence in the region. The language spoken in New Orleans is English of course but it is the most interesting use of the English language I have ever heard. I just love it. I have secretly practiced it and I generously use it whenever I am repeating something that has been told to me by my in-laws. Once again, it is a Gumbo melting pot of all of these backgrounds mixed together and the dialect reflects this. I am curious though.....now that so many New Orleanians have moved to Texas, will the New Orleans dialect mix with the Texas drawl and form a whole new way of talking. We'll just have to wait and find out. My brother in law is a die hard New Orleans type of guy. He has New Orleans in his blood but when he came to Houston, he purchased a cowboy hat. I have since named him "The Crawfish Cowboy". The other funny thing about New Orleans is that they had drive-thru Daquiri shops. That really goes against the don't drink and drive slogan, huh? But I guess it goes with the "Let the good times roll" theme". New Orleanians love a good party. The whole world knows about Mardi Gras but does the whole world know that they will pretty much have a party for any reason. I am told that they used to have Hurricane Parties. They are also the only people that I know who literally will turn a funeral (which is supposed to be a sad event, right?) into party and a joyous occasion.

There is something to be said for people with this type of resiliency. I believe that their optimism will see them through their challenges and difficulties. Yes, It is one year later since Hurricane Katrina struck. Not much has been accomplished or rectified but I am praying for the people of New Orleans. I am praying for all of those who are still destitute...those who have lost loved ones.... and those who feel lost and alone and displaced. I am praying that those who don't know God yet will come to know him and that those who do know God will have their faith strengthened and renewed. Prayer changes things! Won't you please take some time this week and join me in prayer for the people of New Orleans, Mississippi, Florida, Texas and all those who have been affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita? They thank you and so do I.

2006-08-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

13 Times A Day

Working with small children (as I do) can be quite funny. I know every song that Barney the purple dinosaur sings. Let's not even mention the fact that there are days when I feel that I actually live on Sesame Street. Yes....I can tell you how to get to Sesame Street! Elmo, Big Bird, Grover, Ernie and Bert are my peeps...my homies....my buddies. We hang out together every morning before I begin Phonics lessons with my students.

There is no way that I would win on a game show such as Jeopardy or Who Want's To Be A MILLIONAIRE. Don't ask me about world events. Don't ask me about politics. Don't ask me about stock prices. Don't ask me about Brangelina or TomKat because I won't be able to tell you a thing. But if you want to know who Mr. Noodle is, or the color of Clifford the Big____Dog, I can tell you that. I know that If you try "Green Eggs and Ham" you may end up liking them. I can tell you why Jack and Jill went up the hill. I can say the"Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers" tongue twister faster than you can blink. I can play a mean game of "Go Fish or CANDYLAND" but don't ask me how to play poker or bridge. I even knew that London Bridges were falling down before Fergie decided to steal a child's nursery rhyme and make song out of it. I don't think that a week goes by that I don't touch finger-paint, glue, construction paper, or blow bubbles. I know how to play house and princesses. I know how to build tunnels and bridges with wooden blocks and I know how to make car engine sounds with my mouth when I make the toy trucks go over and under the tunnels and bridges. For all of these reasons, I have to make sure that I get my daily dose of reality checks. I try to make sure that I have at least one good adult conversation per day. I also try to make sure that I read something interesting or learn something new each day. This keeps me from actually having to take up residence on Sesame Street.

I thought it would be fun to share a few fun facts with you. Test your knowledge to see how many of these facts you know. If nothing else, you'll have some great conversation starters at your next boring Company Picnic or Family Get Together. Memorize a few of these and dazzle your friends and colleagues with with your superior knowledge and intelligence. They don't have to know the truth! (Tee Hee)

1. The Yo Yo was originally used as a weapon in the Phillipines Jungle.

2. The best selling glue in America is ELMER'S Glue All.

3. The longest recorded flight of a Chicken is 13 seconds.

4. The worlds oldest piece of chewing gum is over 9,000 years old.

5. A quarter has 119 grooves on it's edge.

6. In 1880's England, the word PANTS was considered a dirty word.

7. The average American drinks about 600 sodas per year.

8. Millions of trees in the world were accidentally planted by squirrels who forgot where they hid and buried their nuts.

9. 1 out of every 230 cars made was stolen last year.

10. A person uses an average of 57 sheets of toilet paper per day.

11. There are more plastic flamingos in the USA than real ones.

12. A fetus develops fingerprints at 18 weeks.

13. Rice Paper doesn't have any rice in it.

14. Every second, Americans collectively eat 100 pounds of chocolate.

15. Forest fires move faster uphill than downhill.

16. Money is not made out of paper...it's made out of cotton.

17. There are no clocks in Las Vegas gambling casinos.

18. Coca Cola was originally green.

19. Diet Coke was only invented in 1982.

20. Lightning strikes about 6,000 times per minute on our planet.

21. Men are 6 times more likely to be struck by lightning than women.

22. It is impossible to lick your elbow.

23. Honolulu is the ONLY place in the USA that has a Royal Palace.

24. There are approximately 50 bibles sold each minute across the world. Yes, the word is getting out that JESUS SAVES! And just in case you didn't know, let me be the one to tell you just how much he loves you. I hope that brings a smile to your face. And it leads me to one final thing.

QUESTION?

What does the average person do at least 13 times a day?

ANSWER:

Laugh

Try and count how many times you laugh today. If it is less than 13 then make sure you find something to laugh about. Remember this....The Joy of the Lord is your Strength.

2006-07-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

Memory Lane (part 2)

Ok, I just had to add one or two more things to the MEMORY LANE. If you haven't read Memory Lane (part 1) then I suggest that you read it first and then come back and read (part 2). I was in Walmart today when I noticed a certain item that I didn't think was made anymore. It tickled me to see it and I decided right then and there that I had to add a few more things to the Memory Lane List. Here goes!

Scents from back in the day:

Girly Scents: Anais Anais, Cachet, Chanel No.5, Lair Du Temps, White Shoulders, BABE, Charlie, Sweet Honesty, Enjoli, Jean Nate', AVON, Jovan Musk, Windsong, and the drumroll please..........Love's Baby Soft....can you think of anymore?

Guy Scents: Royal Copenhagen, Brut, Baron, Aqua Velva, English Leather, British Sterling, and the drumroll please......Old Spice

We may not have smelled all that great before the designer perfumes and colognes made an entrance .....but we thought we did because that was pretty much all we had and all we knew. I was a Love's Baby Soft girl myself and boy oh boy did I think that I smelled like a princess. I would probably hold my nose If i got a whiff of that stuff today.

Cars we loved to hate:

Pinto, Hornet, Gremlin, Fiesta, Pacer

Shampoos we miss:

Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific, Prell, Silkience,

Question: What was the name of the one that was a shampoo and conditioner all in one?

You went up a notch in the world if you went from a:

Black & White TV to a Color TV

A manual turn knob TV to a TV with a remote control

Regular TV to SELECT TV (old cable)

Transistor Radio to a Panasonic Toodaloop Radio

Black Rotary Phone to a Colored Push Button Phone

Home Phone to a Beeper

8 track tape deck to a cassette tape player

Record Player to a CD Player

Radio w/ cassette player to a BOOM-BOX

Hang Ten shirt to a Polo Shirt

What stuff do you remember?

2006-07-10T18:14:00.000-07:00

Back Down Memory Lane

July is great! This is my birthday month. I like to celebrate for the whole month instead of just one day. I call it "BIRTHDAY MONTH". I can pretty much give myself permission to indulge in certain things that I normally wouldn't do......and then I blame it on "BIRTHDAY MONTH". For example, "I really shouldn't have eaten that whole Triple Dipped Banana Split, but what the heck it is Birthday Month!!!!! Today I have decided to indulge myself in a little trip down Memory Lane...because what the heck it is Birthday Month!!!!!

I am not a person who chooses to live my life in the past, however; I am a very nostalgic and sentimental person. People who were my true blue friends way back when, I still hold dear to my heart today. I will not make a list of names because if you have been one of my "true blue" you are probably reading this right now.

In this busy and hectic world we live in today, we rarely have the time or luxury to sit and reminisce of past days we've had that make us smile. But you know, we need those moments to reflect on now and again.....to remind us of how good God has been to us. All of our memories of course are not pleasant or sweet but if we are breathing today then that means that we have triumphed....we have made it through some bad times and God is still holding our hands. If a bad time happens to be right now, then it is a good time to reflect on sweet days in the past. Stress is not good for the body. Thinking about good memories or funny things that have happened in your life in the past will bring a smile to your face. Smiling is healing for the body.....and it is very contagious. Try smiling at people today and see if you don't get a bunch of smiles back!

Have you ever noticed how awesome God is? He made our brains and all of our five senses to act like little memory tape recorders. We may smell a certain perfume or cologne and it reminds us of a particular person. We may taste certain types of foods that were cooked in our homes during childhood and we are now thinking about MAMA's Kitchen. We may see a certain tv show that we may not have viewed since childhood or see a certain photograph taken "back in the day" that brings back a sense of nostalgia. You may touch a certain type of material that reminds you of a comforting blanket that you once had....and then that memory could lead to thinking about how Mama brought you soup in bed when you were sick. But of all the senses, I think hearing (sound) is the biggest memory trigger. All it takes is to hear a certain song...and you are suddenly transported back to a different place in time. A blast from the past! You can usually remember where you were and the people you were hanging out with at the time. Some songs make you feel happy and some songs will have you almost in tears...but the songs that were important to you can make a movie screen of past events across your mind. Some songs make instant scrapbooks that only you can see.

I refuse to actually write my age on this blog. But just know this.....I may be celebrating ANOTHER birthday but I am young at heart.....so that is all that counts....RIGHT?????? If you are reading my accounts of things that jog my memory and you can remember them too, then WELCOME to my OLDIES but definitely GOODIES club. Below, I will be writing a few memory joggers. I won't be able to name everything of course because I am just doing this off the top of my head...but maybe looking at a few of my memories will bring back some of your own. If you are too young to remember any of this stuff, then I feel sorry for you because you REALLY MISSED OUT! Oh yeah, and NO CHEATING.....watching old tv programs recently and for the first time on TV Land doesn't count. You had to have experienced them when they were actually ON THE AIR!

Saturday Morning and Weekday Cartoons or Kidshows

Winky Dink, Wonderama, The Banana Splits, Flintstones, Jetsons, Kimba the White Lion, Speed Racer, The Little Rascals, Zoom, The Electric Company, Sesame Street, The New Zoo Revue, The 3 Stooges, Bugs Bunny (and all of his crew), The Afterschool Specials, Gigantor, Hercules, Aquaman, Giant Robot, Penelope Pit-stop, George of the Jungle, Popeye, Fractured Fairy Tales, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Huckleberry Hound, Oggie Doggy, Yogi and Boo Boo, Magilla Gorilla, Thunderbirds Are Go, The Groovy Ghoulies, Johnny Quest, Josie and the Pussycats, Captain Caveman, H.R. Puff N Stuff, Liddsville, Land of the Lost, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, Shazzam, Bugaloos, Schmoo, Jabber Jaw, Run Joe Run, Pink Panther, Atom Ant, Underdog, Touche' Turtle, The Superfriends, Scooby Doo, Sherriff John, Bozo the Clown, Romper Room, Mickey Mouse Club (the black & white reruns and the show from my Jr. High era with POP and Lisa Welchel),....What were your favorites?

TV SHOWS

Family Affair, The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, The Facts of Life, The Donny and Marie Show, The Jackson 5 Cartoon, Don't Eat the Daisies, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, That Girl, The Flying Nun, Mary Tyler Moore, Dick Van Dyke, The Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith, The Flip Wilson Show, Little People, I Love Lucy, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Happy Days, LaVerne and Shirley, Welcome Back Kotter, Love American Style, Starsky and Hutch, Baretta, The Waltons, Laugh In, The Smothers Brothers, Dukes of Hazzard, All in the Family, Sanford and Son, Good Times, The Jeffersons....What were your favorites?

Variety Shows/Game Shows

There was always a variety show or game show on. They were usually pretty entertaining. When you couldn't find anything else to watch, you knew there would always be the good old variety or game show available. Variety shows have now been replaced with REALITY TV.

Do you remember The Gong Show, Password, Match Game, The Newlywed Game, The Dating Game, What's My Line, Name That Tune, Pyramid, Beat the Clock, Let's Make a Deal .......or how about Merv Griffin, Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson, .......Arsenio Hall (Tee Hee)? There are really tooooooo many variety and game shows to list. Moving ON!

A Riveting Viewing Experience

Watching Alex Haley's Roots. Need I say more.

Candy, Goodies, Desserts and Such

Mother's Cookies, Animal Cookies (in the circus cage box), Chips Ahoy, Oreo, Those powdery lemon cookies, Chick O Stix, Slap Stix, Blow Pops, Chocolite, Marathon Bar, Chunky, Fruit Stripe Gum, Bottle Caps, Bazooka Gum, Pez, Razzles, Pixy Stix, Ice cream gum, Koogles P Nut Butter, Spoon Candy (it was a pudding with a candy shell on top), 123 Jello, Abba Zabba, Now N Later, Sherbert Push Ups, Eskimo Pie, Ice Cream Sandwhich, Drumstick, Bomb Pop, Snow Cone (and every other thing the ice cream man had) Bubble Yum, Good N Plenty, Pop Rocks, Fun Dip, Mike and Ikes, Zots, Sweet Tarts, Candy Cigars, Sugar Daddy, Sugar Babies, Lemon Heads, Dum Dums, Tootsie Roll, Boston Baked Beans, Cinnamon Toothpicks, Jaw Breakers, Wonka Candy, Every variety of Chocolate Candy bar from Hershey, Nestle, Mars, Cadbury etc......the list goes on and on with this one. What were some of your faves?

Drink Mixes

Tang, Nestle's Quick, Kool aid, Country Time, Carnation Instant Breakfast, and who could forget the list of Funny Face drink mixes? Here goes the list of ones I can remember....Choo Choo Cherry, Jolly Olly Orange, Goofy Grape, Rootin Tootin Raspberry, Loud Mouth Lime, Lefty Lemon, Ruddi Tutti Frutti, Captain Black Cherry, Freckle Face Strawberry, With It Watermelon, Rah Rah Rootbeer and Chug a lug Chocolate....I think the Cherry and Orange flavors were at one time called Chinese Cherry and Injun Orange but they probably changed the names so as not to offend anyone. I am thinking back to when I was a kid, and I am wondering if , I as an afro american child would have noticed or been offended if the the chocolate flavored mix would have been called something similar like Chug a Zulu Chocolate . Anyway, I think it's best that they quickly changed the names. Now I must pay homage to the best drink (soda) that was ever known to mankind. Aspen Soda can never be replaced. It was simply the best, light, refreshing, crisp, apple tasting soda ever. In my house we used to go to the bulk items store (like the Costo or Sam's of today) and we would buy this soda by the cases. The only thing that even came close to tasting as delicious would have probably been an ice cold Nehi Peach soda (and you have to eat chili cheese flavored fritos with it). Am I alone when I say I wish the Pepsi company still made Aspen? I don't think so!!! Let's have a moment of silence in rememberance of this great soda........Now, take action and write the Pepsi company. Tell them that you want your Aspen soda back on the store shelves A.S.A.P!

Toys and Games

Now here is a subject that could go on endlessly. I will name just a few and that should get you started on your own list of favorites.

Baby Tenderlove, Mrs. Beasly, Baby Thataway, HuggaBunch, Baby Alive, Chrissy, Barbie, Ken, Skipper, Holly Hobbie, Smurfs, GI Joe with the Kung Fu Grip, Hot Wheels, Whirlie Bird, Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle, Wheel-O, See and Say, Weebles, Big Wheel, Green Machine, Kick and Go, Lite Bright, Play Dough, Click Clacks (don't put your eye out), Battleship, Monopoly, Life, Trouble, Twister, Perquacky, Scrabble, Mystery Date, Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, and so on, and so on, and so on..............

Video Games

ATARI, Pong, Pac Man, Centipede, Mario Bros., Galaga, Frogger, Donkey Kong, Dig Dug, Burger Time, Asteroids, Pole Position, Qbert, Pinball, Paperboy......and my all time favorite....drum roll please.......TEMPEST

Commercials

Commercials can either be annoying and irritating, or funny, catchy and entertaining. Do you remember a few of these?

"How'd ya like a nice Hawaiian Punch"?

"Have it your way"

"The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup"

"Take the Nestea plunge"

"Strong enough for a man but made for a woman"

"It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature"

"Trix are for Kids"

"I am the Frito Bandito"

"Hey, Mikey...He likes it"

"I hanker for a hunk of cheese"

"It's the REAL thing"

"You got chocolate in my peanut butter"

"Manly yes, but i like it too"

"Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickle, onion on a sesame seed bun".

"Flick your Bic"

"Gentlemen prefer Hanes"

"Ring around the Collar"

Songs - Movies- Stuff

Songs to do THE BUMP to: Fire, RollerCoaster, Tear the Roof off The Sucker, Anything by....... KC and the Sunshine Band ,The Bee Gees, The Jacksons,

Songs to make you say AHEmmmm: Reunited by Peaches and Herb, Too Hot and Always and Forever by Heat Wave, Through the Fire by Chaka Khan, We Both Deserve Each Other's Love by LTD, There Will Never Be and I Call Your Name by Switch, Any song that Howard Hewitt ever chooses to sing from the past, present or the future....I just love his voice!

Fast Forward a bit:The Commodores, The Police, The B52's, Cameo, The Sugar Hill Gang, Parliament, Bootsy Collins, Prince

The Big Movies: Jaws, Star Wars, Grease, Saturday Night Fever

Stuff to think about and giggle: Blue Chip Stamps, Mood Rings, Pet Rocks, Chia Pets, Wham Tshirts, KFC used to be served in a bucket, Garanimals mix and match clothing, Cheryl Tiegs was "The Super Model", Roller Derby, Bruce Lee Movies (where the talking was out of sync), Godzilla Movies (same thing), Flash Dance, Boy George, Pickles with a sweet and sour pushed into the middle.

Christian Music Blast from the Past

Andre Crouch, The Clark Sisters, Leon Patillo, Amy Grant, BJ Thomas,

Well I hope you enjoyed this miniature walk down memory lane...i know that I did. There was soooo much more that I could've and wanted to put on this page but as usual time and duties of the present and future would not permit. If you would like to explore a little bit more, here are some sites you can look at.

Oh yeah, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH TO ME!

http://prohosting.com/70's/adulttv/adulttv.html

http://prohosting.com/70's/childtv.html

http://www.feelingretro.com/listitems.cfm?id=1

2006-06-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

Birthday Wishes

I just had to take a moment to send June Birthday wishes to three special June folks. My wish for you is to prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers. God has blessed you with another year...let's give him all the thanks.

1. PAPA BEAR

2. CJ

3. AZSALSA

2006-05-17T15:03:00.000-07:00

I Thought I Could Do It

Many of you have been inquiring as to when I would post something new on my blog. I thought that I would have enough time to devote to my blog. I was hoping that I would be able to write something on a weekly basis at least. I now see that with my work schedule and involvement in other various activities, I am not finding the time to write as often as I hoped.

I am not giving up on my blog completely but It looks like I will probably be posting something Monthly instead of Weekly......unless I have something really important that I would like to share.

Thanks for caring about what I've been sharing. Check back monthly.

2006-04-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

The Turtle Wins The Race

A big thanks to all of you who have e-mailed me with your pet suggestions. It appears that many of you had the same pet suggestion so I guess a turtle is a good starter pet. (AZ SALSA you were the first one to suggest a turtle so I have to give you credit). The turtle wins the race. I will keep everyone posted on what actually happens with my pet exploring adventures.

2006-04-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

WHOOO It's HOT!!!!

Isn't this supposed to be the beginning of SPRINGTIME? Well, here in good ol' Texas it feels like it is Summer. Today it wasn't just 92 degrees.... but it was 92 degrees TEXAS STYLE. Have you ever heard the saying that "everything is bigger in Texas"? Well, that goes for the weather too. I think the SUN is bigger in TEXAS. I think the sun has a big magnifying glass over it in TEXAS. That is EXACTLY what it feels like. I am not looking forward to the summertime when it gets into the 100's degrees.

When you were a child, did you ever have that one crazy kid in the neighborhood (and pardon me if YOU WERE that one crazy kid) that used to take a magnifying glass outside, hold it in the sunshine a certain way on defenseless little ants and make them pop like popcorn? The poor little things were just burning up. Well, somebody needs to tell the Giant who is holding the magnifying glass up to the sun over TEXAS to please stop. I like to EAT POPCORN, not BE POPCORN.

Yesterday, it was a fairly warm day in the 80's. It was a nice spring day with a slight breeze. Then BAM all of a sudden it is 92 WITH a magnifying glass in place which makes it feel about 3000 degrees. So what does EVERYONE in TEXAS do? Turn on the air conditioning.....ALL AT ONCE...to the coolest degree possible!!!! And what happened as a result? Rolling BLACKOUTS!!!! I was sitting here at the computer and I was just about to start writing my blog about a totally different subject other than the weather, when everything.....and I do mean everything shut off. No air conditioning, no computer, no TV, no clock ...but wait, out on the street there were no traffic lights and certain businesses that didn't have generators to back them up were out of luck too.

And by the way, does anybody want to give to my "Get Kia a Backup HOME GENERATOR Fund"? If each of you ACT NOW, and send a meager 2 cents a week for the next few years, I will be able to get one by the year 2020. For your generosity, I will send you a brochure showing you a hand-drawn picture of me (drawn by my daycare students). This will be a picture of me trying not to sweat in the heat. Just a little reminder to all of you kind folks who have adopted me and donated to the fund. So you say..."this 2 cents thing is too much for me to handle on my tight budget". Well I have an answer for you. Simply organize a rally in honor of me and have each person at the rally go door to door asking for extra unused sticks of deoderant. I could sure use them in this type of heat. And you will have the deep satisfaction of knowing that YOU made a difference in the world.

But on a serious note.....The air conditioning finally came back on. I turned on the news to see if there was any mention of this situation. The news person said that if everyone would have kept their air on but at a reasonable temperature this wouldn't have happened. See what happens when we are selfish or when we try to hoard EVERYTHING for ourselves? Then nobody gets ANYTHING!!! I hate to say it but, I know soooo many people with a "I'm going to get mine and forget everybody else" mentality. This mentality starts as a child. I remember the kid in the classroom who always wanted to be the FIRST one to line up at the door to go outside? He was so busy pushing and shoving everyone else that the teacher ended up making him sit on the bench at play time. He did this every single day. He never learned a lesson and realized that his "me first" mentality was making him last. Do you see ADULTS who have to swerve around you, cut you off and pass you up when they are driving? Isn't it funny how after all of the reckless driving they are doing and burning up their gas, they still end up sitting and waiting at the same red light with you..... and you took your time. Just like that burned up gas, all of the things in this world that we think are sooo important that we must say "ME FIRST" about are going to burn up too. We must remember that our promotion comes from God. As we love and serve others.....we are laying up everlasting treasures in heaven instead of gathering earthly treasures that will burn up and that the moths will eat and that the dust will corrupt.

For those of us who know God, let's begin to place GOD FIRST in our lives. Let's make him our FIRST PRIORITY. For those of you who don't know God yet, please get to know him NOW so you don't go to HELL....because if HELL is hotter than TEXAS, YOU DON'T WANT TO GO THERE!!!!!! Whoo it's hot!!!

John 3:16

Romans 10:9

I John 4:7,8

2006-04-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

IN HONOR OF JESUS

Your blood bought and paid for me

Every drop of blood you shed, set me free

I just want the world to know

That I'd be lost and dying if you didn't love me so

You never ask how good I've been

Your mercy simply wipes away my sin

You forgive me everytime I say

That I've messed up yet another day

I can never say that I'm alone

I never feel that I'm on my own

In my darkest days, I know you're there

Your joy is my strength...you answer EVERY prayer

You are the light that helps me see

The path and plan you've laid out for me

I walk by faith and I trust in you

That no matter what....you always come through

When I think of you Jesus...it makes me smile

You loved ME first....you felt I was worthwhile

Worth enough to you to die in my place

All you wanted was to keep me safe

You are my knight in shining armour

Your LOVE came and rescued me

So this damsel in distress

Could live eternally

Yes, you died for me

But that's not the end of the story

You resurrected in all of your glory

You are BRAVE, you're my HERO, my KING and my FRIEND

In Honor of You Jesus

I wanted to THANK YOU once again

Love,

Your Sweetie Kia

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!

2006-04-12T16:37:00.000-07:00

PET SUGGESTIONS ANYONE?

First of all I would like to thank those of you who have emailed me recently to remind me that I have started a blog.....and that it would probably be a good idea if I actually wrote something in it. Thank you for encouraging me to do so. This lets me know that you are actually taking the time to read it and that I haven't just been writing it for God to read all by himself.

My schedule is very hectic ( cleaning crayon off of the table, wiping snotty noses (and because this blog is rated "G", I can't tell you what else I have to wipe...but can you say Pampers?), picking cheerios up off of the floor (with milk), scrubbing peanut butter and jelly sandwich smears off of the walls, reading Green Eggs and Ham again for the thousandth time, getting dizzy from too many rings around the rosies (never ring and drive unless you want to get a dui), solving CSI type crimes (Mrs. Kia ...who took my Barbie's head off ....whaaaaa?), being an Ambassador of World Peace (children if you can't play Barbies nicely together, then I will have to remove the barbies from the play area), being a better judge than Judge Maybellene (I'm sorry, but he did have the toy truck first...you will have to play with something else until he is finished), displaying my Chef Institute style culinary arts (okay kiddies...who else wants me to make a jelly happy face on their peanut butter sandwich?), private driver (alright kids, if you want me to pull you in the wagon all the way to the park, you must keep your hands to yourself all the way there).....and the list goes on and on.

Because my job description happens to be a "DO IT ALL ENGINEER", there are times when I will have to skip a few days writing in my blog because I will have more important things to do like lying on my bed with a cool compress on my head as I stare at the ceiling. If you check the blog and you notice that I haven't written in a few days, then please pray for me and check back again soon. Hopefully I will have found the strength to stop staring at the ceiling.

My son wants a pet!!!! I want my son to have a pet. I want my son to be responsible and clean up after HIS pet. I do not want to clean up after my son's pet. Just because my job description is DO IT ALL ENGINEER, doesn't mean that I am really going to DO IT ALL. This being said, I was trying to think of some nice type of starter pet for him. Something that is fairly easy for HIM to care for and as he shows that he is responsible then he can move on up to a PET pet. I was doing some research on different types of Pocket Pets such as Guinea Pigs, Hamsters and Chinchillas. After I finished the research on these Pocket Pets, I began thinking how great it would be for him to have a Goldfish. Yeah, a Goldfish would be great and he hasn't had one since he was really little. Then, I remembered why he hasn't had a Goldfish since he was really little. His pet Goldfish was named Fishy Fish. Fishy Fish died a tragic death. My son had really enjoyed a dinner I cooked one evening and wanted Fishy Fish to share in the festivities. Although Fishy Fish was being raised in a Christian home, he didn't neccesarily want to re-enact the "LAST SUPPER". Needless to say, Fishy Fish had a final meal that consisted of Red Beans and Rice, Cornbread, Salad and Tampico Punch. I hope Fishy Fish enjoyed his final meal. Anyway, I started doing some research on how to care for Fish and Fish Tanks. I somehow stumbled upon a website about Pet Sea Monkeys. Sea Monkeys are sooooo easy to take care of. I should know because I've had several sets of them in my classroom SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES!!!!!!!!!!! When they die, it is really not because your not taking good care of them, it is just their time to go (I think).

I decided that Sea Monkeys vs. Goldfish would be even better pets for my son so I started researching Sea Monkeys when I came across this website......www.thefunplace.com/house/pets/seamonkey.html

After I read this little story about sea monkeys (and after I finished laughing my head off about the story) I wasn't so sure if this was the perfect pet. Now I'm kinda thinking along the lines of a PET ROCK. I'm really not trying to tell my true age since I am constantly being mistaken for a young woman in her early twenties....but to those of you who are old enough to actually remember the PET ROCK, you know what I am talking about when I say EASY TO CARE FOR. Pet suggestions anyone?

2006-04-03T17:47:00.000-07:00

So Special

Today a dear friend of mine stopped by my daycare on her lunchbreak from work. She was carrying a little gift bag.....IT WAS FOR ME!

Today is not my birthday. Today is not my anniversary. Today is not Christmas but yet I was receiving a gift. I looked inside the bag and there was a beautiful gift box. I opened the gift box and inside it held a precious necklace. The necklace had a charm on it. The charm was a little tiny box that had a latch that could actually be opened. It was a prayer box. There was a note that came with the necklace saying to write down your prayer concerns and fold them up and put them in the box. As I wear the necklace, I will be reminded that God always hears my prayers.....and that he answers them. I was so touched by this gift. Not just because of the beauty of the gift (although it is very pretty)....not just because of the meaning of gift (the prayer)....not just because of the sentimentality of the gift (the person who gave it to me has been a true blessing in my life) but because it was sooooo special to be thought of for no reason at all. My friend went out of her way on her lunchbreak and wasted her gas (and gas ain't cheap) to bring me an unexpected treat. You can't imagine how SPECIAL I felt at that moment.

Should we be shocked when someone does something nice for us... JUST BECAUSE.....with absolutely no ulterior motive? Is it difficult to think that someone would go out of their way for us when there is no special occasion?

It shouldn't be!!!! We must always remember how much Jesus loves each and every one of us. He went out of his way just for us. We did absolutely nothing to deserve his special gift of SALVATION yet he wore a crown of thorns, was beaten and took the stripes for our healing, was crucified....bled, died and then snatched the keys of death just so we could have everlasting life. He had no ulterior motive. He was motivated by love. He was just thinking of us. We were on his mind and he wanted to take the time to let us know how much we meant to him.

There should never be a day when we ALLOW ourselves to feel depressed, hopeless or lonely. Yes, things in life happen that are depressing. Yes there are times when people let you down...and you let yourself down. But if you would just take a second to remind yourself that you are SOOO SPECIAL that Jesus gave up his life so that you could have yours and that even now he is thinking of you and cares for you, you will live an abundant life. Things that used to seem like a big deal will be a little deal because you know that you are SOOOO SPECIAL. People who used to irritate you will end up on your prayer list instead of getting %#&*^% cussed out because you know that you are SOOO SPECIAL. Bills that used to keep you awake at night with worry will be given over to God because as you tithe, you know God has your back because you are SOOO SPECIAL. Any sickness or disease that has tried to invade your body has got to line up with God's word that says you have already been healed because you are SOOOO SPECIAL.

And what did you do to be SOOOO SPECIAL? NOTHING! You just are because JESUS LOVES YOU!

If you are reading this and you don't know how special you are...or if you have never accepted Jesus into your life...or if you have just drifted far away from him, then make today the day that you know for sure how special you are.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

If you would like to....pray this prayer:

Jesus, thank you for loving me and thinking that I am so special. I know that I am a sinner but I ask you to forgive me. I believe with all of my heart that you shed your blood, died for my sins and now live again. You loved me so much that you died so that I could live. I accept you and I accept and recieve your unconditional love. I thank you for saving me and I receive eternal life. In Jesus Name

If you already know Jesus as Savior but have drifted away from him, you may want to pray this prayer:

Jesus, thank you for thinking I am so special. You have never turned away from me even though I have turned away from you. Please forgive me for walking away from your special love. I rededicate myself to you. I give my life back to you and I choose to live in such a way that you can see that I know how special I am to you. In Jesus Name,

Are you feeling soooo special now? YOU SHOULD!!! YOU ARE!!!

2006-03-29T16:29:00.000-08:00

Just Saying Thanks

A dear friend of mine who is a sangin diva and travels internationally getting her sang on started a blog to keep in touch with her friends and tell about her lifes work with the who's-who in the music industry and exotic travel destinations. She is the person who got me into making this blog diary. Thanks sangin' diva.

My life by no stretch of the imagination is exotic nor do I hob nob with the who's who but seeing as how I have relocated from Los Angeles to Texas, I decided to start this blog diary as a way to share my thoughts & feelings with family and friends that I am not able to connect with anymore on a daily basis. It is my prayer that this blog will be like a little gift of encouragement to you from me.

Today, I just wanted to take a little time to say thanks to those of you who have called or e-mailed me to express how much you have been enjoying the blog diary so far. I know many of you didn't post comments on the actual blog because your comments were of a more personal nature. Please feel free to continue sharing your thoughts and feelings by posting comments, calling or e-mailing....take your pick. You may also share this blog with friends of yours that may enjoy reading what A HAPPY BLACK WOMAN in CHRIST has to say. I am also taking prayer requests. You may post your prayer requests anonymously if you are someone I don't know personally or you may e-mail me if you are somone I know. If you feel funny about posting your prayer requests, just know that during my daily prayer time, I WILL be praying for each person who reads this blog.

God's blessings to you all

2006-03-28T16:38:00.000-08:00

I Love You...You're Soooo Mean!

Today one of my daycare students declared how much she loved me. (Please dont think that I can't spell).... She is 3 going on 33 years old so I will have to decipher her words. She said " I love you teacher....you are soooo sweet all buhcept (except) when you are soooooo mean." "You are sooo mean just like the Green Witch on the Witch of All (Wizard of Oz). I said "Well, what do I do that makes me so mean like the Witch of All". Then she ran off a grocery list. She crossed her arms, knitted her eyebrows together, stomped her little foot and said angrily "You always make me wash my hands after I go potty....You make me take a nap eewyday (everyday)....You make me clean up my toys and do all my coolwuk (schoolwork)" you are sooo mean. After this bold declaration, I really had to compose myself because I definitely wanted to go in another room and laugh my head off. I put my game face on and I gently let her know that all the things I do that she thinks are mean, are things that I am doing because I love her. I talked to her about why her hands need to be cleaned, and how it is healthy for her to have a time to rest each day. I talked to her about how she is becoming a big girl now and that she wasn't able to put her toys away when she was just a baby and how babies can't even do schoolwork....but that doing her schoolwork was helping her to get smarter everyday. "Now see how much I love you" I said. "Yeah" she said, you are that nuther (other) Witch on the Witch of All...that gooder one". So I thanked her for the compliment. "Yeah, she said "I love you teacher, you are sooo sweet". "Well I am so glad you saw the light" I said. "Huh" she said looking puzzled. "Never mind, go and play" I said.

As I sat there in the classroom, I began to ponder how many of us have good friends in our lives. Friends who loves us when we are right and when we are just plain wrong. True friends who can speak into our lives and tell us when our poop stinks and how to wash the poop off of our hands without us thinking they are sooooo mean. How many of us have mentors or pastors that we will ALLOW to tell us when they see us running the red lights in life without thinking that they are soooo mean?

How many of us actually let God take control of our lives and tell us what to do and how to live? He gave us the ten commandments as a starting point. The whole bible is God's how- to manual for happiness in our lives yet when he says not to do such and such or so and so, even though it is for our own good, we get mad and show God through our blantant disobedience that he is sooooo mean, when all he is trying to do is keep us safe, healthy, whole and cause us to grow up. Just like my student, why is it that we sometimes don't recognize true love? Why do we mistake boundaries made out of love to keep us safe, for meaness?

If you are blessed enough to have even just one true friend or a pastor or a mentor who can speak into your life and tell you the truth in love, then realize how rare this is and how blessed you are. But most importantly, if you have made the decision to let God take control of your life without accusing him of being sooo mean, then you have just allowed yourself to be LOVED. You have decided that God is not the Witch of All but he is THE GOD OF ALL!!!!!

2006-03-27T16:55:00.000-08:00

A DOGGONE SHAME!

So many times God shows me new things and gives me little lessons in life by the normal everyday things that go on around me. I look for these lessons each day and I believe God speaks to me so often because I am open and ready to hear his voice.

Yesterday I went to the walking trail in my neighborhood. (Pray for me ya'll because I am trying to get more exercise).

I was going around the trail for the fifth time so I was totally pooped out (stop laughing) when I heard this horrible growling and panting coming from behind me. The paw steps were getting closer and closer. I was getting a little nervous because I've seen several people in the neighborhood who are supposed to be walking their Pit Bulls but in reality their Pit Bulls are walking them....pulling them.....YANKING THEM and are about ready to let loose. I know animals can usually sense when you are nervous and afraid so I tried to take a few deep breaths and remain calm. Then I started praying in the spirit as I walked as far over to the side of the trail as I could go so that this ferocious animal and it's owner could go past me. This was about all I could do. There was no way that I could run to get away even if I wanted to after doing 5 times around the trail. I was thinking to myself that I should have taken a stick or baton or something with me. There have been so many cases in the news lately with Pit Bulls chewing people up. One woman who was killed here in Houston was a nurse waiting on her bus to pick her up for work. Anyway, as the dog and it's owner passed me, I about nearly fell out. I was laughing sooooo hard that the laughing could have very well been all the exercise I needed for the day. I COULD NOT BELIEVE the ferocious sounding animal I heard was a Chihuahua. Now let me tell you the lesson God showed me. There are some things that I have been standing in faith about. It seems as though the enemy (Satan) has been ferociously on my trail. I could make the choice to either faint with fear or remain calm and stand in faith knowing that God has my back. God can see what is stalking, growling and panting....but I can't. If I choose to continue to walk by faith i will eventually see that all of that growling is just a scare tactic by a little tiny enemy trying to sound like he is BIG STUFF.

Now let me tell you why the Chihuahua sounded that way. The owner of the CHI was running the heck out of that dog. His poor little legs were like tiny Vienna Sausages and he was making all of those crazy noises trying to keep up the pace. I felt sorry for the little CHI so I tried to slow the owner's pace down by making a comment. I blurted out "Whoo that is a mighty BIG DOG...what is his name? The man replied "Husband". That name just tickled me of course. It was his wife's dog and he was none to happy about walking it. I think he was jealous of it. The man enjoyed doing all of his manly man things instead of spending time with his wife so she bought herself a little "HUSBAND". She completely spoiled Husband, doted on Husband, snuggled with Husband and gave Husband special treats. As I heard it, Husband was number 1 and the true love of her life. I told that man that he could be the number 1 true love of her life if he would sow more seeds into his marriage than into what he wanted to do. I told him that what she really wanted was the husband she married but since he was unavailable, she had to settle for a furry Husband. This conversation took not more than 2 minutes but I believe that this man REALLY HEARD what I was trying to say. It was only by the grace of God that I said it at all because I was out of breath and had to press my way to my car to drive home. I may never see this man or HUSBAND again but I am praying that those few short minutes will make a lifetime of change in his household. God knows the plans he has for us and I believe that I was in the right place at the right time to give a word that would bring about change. The man learned a lesson but then again so did I. Let's not take the people in our lives that we love for granted. Let's not take God for granted by ignoring him or spending little time with him either....because if we do IT'S A DOGGONE SHAME!

2006-03-26T06:34:00.000-08:00

IT'S SUNDAY

It's Sunday ya'll. It's time to get to the house of the Lord and get your PRAISE ON! As for me, I love to spend time communicating with God each day. I love to be in his presence and give him praise and worship. Each morning I wake up to say "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it". But Sundays are the Super Bowl of rejoicing in the Lord. It's that special time to gather with others who are ready to get their PRAISE ON too. So why are you reading this right now? Get your rusty dusty up out of the bed and get to

CHURCH!

2006-03-25T21:55:00.000-08:00

A Happy Black Woman On The Outside

A Happy Pink Woman On The Inside

We all came to this earth with the beautiful skin we are in. God made us each to be unique. We had no choice about what color we would be on the outside because color on the outside is really of no consequence other than God's expression of his artistic excellence. It is the color that is inside of you that counts. You have a choice about your inside color. You can look at the glass half empty or half full. You can enjoy life or not, it is entirely up to YOU! Choose your colors for today. Choose wisely!

Do you have a heart of pure gold?
Or are you a gold digger?
Are you a true blue friend?
Or are you singing the blues?
Are you tickled pink?
Or are you Upset Tummy Pepto-Bismol pink?
Are you red with love and passion?
Or are you seeing red with anger?
Are you refreshing to be around like dew on green grass?
Or are you green with envy?
Are you as calm as the black midnight sky?
Or is your heart black with hatred, bitterness or unforgiveness?

Take responsibility for your day. Don't allow anyone to PRESS YOUR BUTTONS!!! Who cares what anyone else thinks about you. It's what you think about yourself that is important so give yourself a hug and tell yourself "you are all that". Say it until YOU believe it and soon everyone else will too. Give something away today! Yes, it can be something free. Give away a smile and I bet you will get one back. As for me, I am tickled pink to start my new blog today. My color for today is pink. What is yours? Choose wisely!!! (Smile)