5 ft of Hootie Hoo!

My blog on this Hootie Hoo Hump Day is dedicated to my aunt Melba who passed away yesterday. This spunky lady stood 5 ft tall, give or take a few inches, and lived her life. SHE invented YOLO! The last time I saw her was when we we were all in Coffeyville, Kansas sitting in the living room of another aunt, her sister, after we had her home-going celebration. She sat  on the end of the couch with her oxygen tank by her side and had the brightest glow on her face as she talked about her adventures from Kansas to New Orleans and beyond as a young woman. She talked about the loves of her life and following her heart. She made note of the disappointments but talked about the lessons she learned as if though they were purple hearts awarded on the battlefield of love and life. She beamed with pride as she talked about nothing holding her back. If she wanted to try something or go somewhere, then that's what she she did. I was mesmerized listening to her. It was a breath of fresh air for me at that time! I was experiencing postpartum depression in addition to other health issues that left me depressed, tired, quiet, and just plain blah. I had lost all hope for myself. What did it for me was when she let a big grin come across her face and said:

       

  "I'm almost 80 years old, been through some things and did alot of moving around. People had their opinions about how I did stuff BUT I have no regrets!"

 If I'd had a microphone, I would've put it in her hands so she could drop it! That's the exact moment everything changed for me.

Within the next year, I changed my mentality completely and turned some things around for myself..including leaving a dead end job to move to Atlanta with my son with no money or vehicle...just our clothes in 2 big trash bags in the back of a friend's car down I-20. Every challenge was going to be an opportunity for living life instead of just existing. I never forgot what she said and how she said it. When you can look over your life and confidently say you have NO REGRETS....that's happiness! I choose to be happy...through success and obstacles...I choose joy!  I am the happiest I've been in a long time simply because I view "what if's" as a huge gift box with a bright red bow! I'm excited to open it and can't wait to see what's inside! Opportunities excite me...possibilities excite me! So Aunt Melba this Hootie Hoo is for you, Pumpkin! While everyone else in this world might stop at talking about what they dream of doing, you were wide awake DOING what you dreamed of doing! Your brother, my daddy, has that same spirit and I'm so grateful it is in me! Hootie Hoooooooo and rest in paradise!

Smooches!

Minding my own doggone business!

Today would've really been a great day for the Mother's Day Market...it was sunny, cool and just plain beautiful. I try not to get too sad about not having participation but I'm human so yeah I'm disappointed HOWEVER I'm really starting to believe these things don't turn out the way I see them in my head because maybe, just maybe I'm thinking too small.
I'm looking at the kind of people I've met over just the past 2 yrs in casual scenarios and I'm simply in awe...these are some real deal movers and shakers that have you doing double takes when you're looking at tv! Did I just see who I thought I saw?? Either they are in the spotlight because of an accomplishment  or making the spotlight happen for someone else. Mind you I'm a HUGE HUGE fan of behind the scenes...from the planning all the way to the wardrobe! Folks have to bribe me to put on heels and makeup...I'm just a jeans, hat and tennis shoes kinda chick. I can get more work done in that sacred attire! Surely Im not meeting these souls just by chance! There's something very divine about this journey I'm on. So in order to evaluate things and move forward, I'm calling myself out on several things: *putting on white lab coat and reading glasses*
1. Your leaps of faith have turned into skips recently because of a few setbacks...get that together cuz ya trippin'!
2. Stop it with the 24/7 grind! 23/6 is just as good. I know you're all E Diddy and thangs but please go sit down somewhere and unwind with friends! Why have the coolest friends on earth and not be able to enjoy them?
3. We've already established and see not everybody is going to like what you do simply because it's you! Build you a very lil bridge...so you can get over it expeditiously.
4. While you are doing all this stuff for this and that person, where are WE on this list? Im just sayin..it comes with the nonprofit territory but err umm can we please at least get our eyebrows done? Smh
5. Remember that logo? The one with the mouth? Yeah...open yours up and ask for help and stop being so "I have to show people I'm a hardworker." The right people see that already! Isn't that how you met them in the first place? Do you remember some of the ways God showed up and showed out through you? This is why people felt we should meet these movers & shakers...cuz WE move n shake TOO! sheesh Now let them know what we need help with and let that show them we're also confident in everything we dream of doing!
6. Built ya lil bridge yet? Just checking *side eye*
Listen...every now and then you have to mind your own business and call yourself on the carpet about some stuff. Don't make excuses or pass the blame. We are all grown. Plus we would have an attitudinal dissertation complete with a dramatic conclusion that may or may not involve the snapping of a huge floral fan if someone else pointed out the truth. It's time to pour some tea for ourselves...party of one please!
Respect your OWN sway!
Smooches!

World's longest pedicure

You know I have been grinding for the last 15 years to make it "big". My version of "big" is being able to pay my bills and enjoy vacations with my family without having to worry about showing up to a job I can't stand and supervisors that treat you like crap. Been there, done that and have the doctor bills instead of the tshirt to prove I've been there.
I have never been afraid of hard work...in fact it gives me my adrenaline fix. Some people ride roller coasters; others drive fast cars. I manage projects that help the community. Yup! Glamorous and fame filled, right? Not so much. Lol I don't foresee any 6 figure checks coming out of that even though the work put into it is worthy. I figure if reality shows can make people very financially comfortable, then I don't see why I can't have somebody follow me around with a camera to document changing lives, strengthening communities, rebuilding hope, and putting smiles where frowns once lived. It is a very rewarding line of work...just like being a public school teacher was. *sigh* It's a fact that I'm destined to be a public servant...it's just who I am. So does this mean I will always be struggling? I really want to know. Ive never been a materialistic person so it's no shallow desire to acquire 50 pairs of shoes I can't walk in with empty purses to compliment them. Quite frankly, I want to be Robin Hood! There! I said it! I want to be that person in the grocery store who pays the person's bill behind me. It is really a great feeling to do that. I get a kick out of seeing their response as well as the cashier. I guess I'm wanting to be blessed more so I can bless more. I know money can't buy happiness but it can surely solve some problems that tend to block happiness. I want to bless my father with a huge sigh of relief in his final years after providing for 7 of us and our kids STILL. His relief shouldn't be in his final breath.
Until that day comes, I will continue to watch my last pedicure from August 2012 grow off and do my best to stay encouraged.  

SELF CHECK & MUSTARDSEED MOMENT:

Just like a child who cries when they don't want to go to sleep...sometimes the very thing we fuss and fight about are the very things we need. It's not permanent...just for a little while to get you prepared for the very things you desire. While "sleeping" and "dreaming" some things are going to appear real and feel real but shouldnt be considered...thats that dream when you are trying to run but you don't move no matter what you do. The hard productive work doesn't come from HUGE jobs..it comes from a plethora of simple things that are fun for you! Stop fighting "sleep".
Good evening yall! My fast is over in 6 minutes! Yes! I almost slipped but God got me through it!
*CONFETTI*
SMOOCHES!

Such an honor! Geechie Gurl(R) Inc. (@GeechieGurlTM) has shared a tweet with you

50 Amazing Women: Erica Michelle Alcox: Erica Michelle Alcox is the youngest of 7, mother of 1, former teacher, ... http://t.co/rreOQK3m -- Princess Dominique™☆ (@MissPrincessDom)

Friday Food for thought

Its Friday and some of us are breathing a sigh of relief because the next 2 days mean a break from things that don't allow us to be who we really are. Sorry to tell you but that break only means you are heading right back in the same direction when the break is over. Something small needs to change so that those breaks turn into rest areas on the way to something made just for you. What's your plan to get to where you dream of being? Enjoy your weekend!

Hope.

Nothing fancy...just straight to the point.
Laptop crashed.
Cancelled holiday plans.
High gas prices.
Storage wars.
Unreturned emails & phone calls.
Exhaustion.
Nobody helps me move my furniture onto a Uhaul.
Banged up knee and feelings.
Complete strangers show up and help me finish.
Complete strangers donate & encourage me to keep pushing for Knotty Gurl calendar launch.
Hope.

Smooches.