Editing, Reading, & Eating

Woohoo! Vacation day from the day job! Hmm, didn't I write a similar post a few days ago? I think so but oh well. I must need the time off. I'm certainly enjoying it.

Sharing in the cooking duties (when I get so lucky), I cooked biscuits, eggs, and sausage for breakfast and my husband fixed seafood sandwiches for lunch. Yummy! Double my pleasure, a mini marathon of Diagnosis Murder was on a newly added channel to our cable package. I enjoyed an all-day one over the weekend.

As my husband napped after lunch, I relaxed in a therapeutic foam bubble bath while finishing reading my book for this month.

My spirit has been thoroughly fed by this woman's story of overcoming a difficult time in her young marriage through Gods grace and faithfulness. I identified with several areas and am even more encouraged in my own pursuit to be a better wife and Christian woman. Check out my YouTube video about this book.

Before the day is out I'll work on the second round of edits on my manuscript.

As anxious as I am to publish my long awaited (for my readers and myself), it's more important for me to put out a quality product. My new and current readers will appreciate it. Read an excerpt at http://lajefferson.com

I'm also working on a story outline for a novella for based on another character from my first book, Unfinished Business. It's pretty cool being able to take characters from previous stories and give them a story of their own. 

I'll keep you posted every step of the way! Subscribe up top for regular updates.

Writing, Shopping, & Dog Walking

A day off from my day job was just was the doctor ordered. Well...not from my doctor. In fact there wasn't really an order. But I did have to take a day off work to attend a doctor's appointment with my husband. The appointment was in the morning and was over in time for me to actually go to work but I wasn't feeling it. The truth...I've taken on many extra tasks at work and the boatload of meetings over the past couple of weeks have been draining me. So much so that I haven't been able to concentrate on my current writing project for the month and it's almost over! This year is about productivity. If I keep adding distractions to my plate it's going to be the end of the year and the only thing I'll be able to say is that I published my second book. Hmm, that's not such a terrible thing, but it's not my only goal.


And boy was God on my side. After the appointment, my husband and I stopped at a Coney Island near home for a brief breakfast date. He was avoiding carbs, I wasn't. My pancakes were scrumptious! The goodness of God, however, wasn't the pancakes but when my husband dropped me off at the door of our home and drove away! Yeah  baby...that's meant ME time.

Before I could get started writing, though, I had to wash the stack of dishes that had been patiently awaiting for the last couple of days. Then I had to take Pepper, my little black Terrier outside for a walk. She's my son's responsibility during the week so she doesn't get lengthy walks until the weekend. She appreciated the surprise treat. Lastly, I cleared the computer desk off all clutter (a receipt, a broken lead pencil, a medical pamphlet) so I wouldn't have anything to distract me from writing. It doesn't take much.


Once all distractions were cleared, I searched for the latest version of the story I'd been writing. Since I can no longer use my USB drive at work, I have to go through the tedious process of  emailing Word documents back and forth between my work email and personal email. And, no, before you suggest them--I can't access Google docs, OneDrive, or any of the other online document creators at work either! Until another method presents itself, this is it....


In the end, I got a good draft of my story nearly complete. I'm writing a story about a challenging time in my marriage--is that ever not the case??? Seriously, though, there's an insurmountable amount of material when you're writing your life and 100 times more writing about your marriage! I've easily noticed how, even in nonfiction writing, the story you start with isn't always the story you end with. Not only that, while writing one story, material for future stories are unleashed. I'm excited for those and for the shoes I ordered online while writing...distractions are never too far away :)

The day off was well spent so instead of going to a rigorous Zumba class, I treated myself to the movies--the real treat was the popcorn!

8a.m. Late start to my morning. Usually I'm up by 7 on a Saturday. But as long as my husband and son remained asleep, my morning stood a chance of continuing business as usual. Crossing my fingers.

Writing or, more specifically, the marketing of my work weighed heavily on my mind before I even peeled the covers off of me. One reason was a boost of encouragement I received from a fellow author/editor who I greatly admire. She doesn't let anything hold her back from accomplishing her goals. She pushes forward and inspires others to do the same. Yesterday, I was inspired. Not just my usual inspiration to write, but inspiration for ACTION!

So my first stop was the computer--after the bathroom, of course. I brought my bitly account to access some shortened links that I created eons ago, and then Hootsuite to schedule some post for the remainder of March. It's National Reading Month so it was perfect timing to market both of my books--the one already published and the upcoming one.

Not including the eventual hour or so disruption from my husband (grooming his locs! and online shopping),  marketing for the month took me about an hour thanks to copy & paste!

With the business of my writing complete (for today, that is), now I have the rest of the day ahead of me,

Hmph, perfect time for my husband and I to do something together but he's made plans with my dad. Seriously, dude?

"You can come?" He says as though I want to spend a portion of my day listening to him and my dad do their "guy" talk, trying unsuccessfully to find a place in the conversation like a novice trying to jump into a double dutch twirling rope. Not so easy.

"That's cool, baby. I'm sure I'll find something to do with my time." I say, hiding the grin spreading on my lips.

I start every weekend with a list of stuff going on. This weekend is no different.

Exercise. I'm always trying to make time for that. Until my husband woke up I was trying to connect with a friend for our weekly mall walking together. Nevertheless, the gym just over a mile away from me is always an option.

Then there's a writers critique meeting at 3pm that I'd love to go. Any other time that would be perfect timing but not today. Near the same time I'm dropping off food for a sorority sister's family repast.

Maybe a movie while enjoying some buttery popcorn. Opps! That'll throw off my weight watchers points off for the day so that's off the table.

Guess I'll do something with this sewing machine I got for Christmas and still haven't done anything with besides threading it. Or read a book. Again it is National Reading Month. 
Til Next Tim...L.A.

Snowy Reflections of Author L.A.

I had such a productive day that I wasn't even mad when I came out to my car covered in--not easy to brush off snow, but a thick sheet of ice that took several minutes of window defrosting and aggressive before I could leave. The snowy ride home--45 minutes longer-- gave me ample time to reflect on the moves that I made and what's next.

For the last 7 years that I've been working on my upcoming novel, Reconciliation to Hell, I've been struggling choosing one career field over the other--being an author of novels or exceling within my corporate job. I thought I had to choose. But even when I got discouraged over how long it was taking me to write my second book (just a few years shy of the 10 yrs for the first), I could never, comfortably, choose the corporate life.

That's just my day job." I told myself countless times over the years.  "The steady paycheck to pay the bills until I write the breakthrough novel that's going catapult me to literary stardom."

And that may very well be true. I certainly haven't given up on that dream. However, what I've come to realize as I've been spending a considerable amount of time blogging about fitness, spirituality, relationships--I simply love writing! And as my mentor told me last year, I can incorporate my love for writing within my day job. At first I thought she just meant using my skills in an extracurricular fashion like creating and managing a newsletter for an employee resource group. Well, she did but she also meant for the purpose of developing myself further and connecting with different people in the company. I'm planning to write and network my way into a day job that can bring me the same satisfaction of finishing my novel! How cool is that?

Last week I put the wheels in motion by stepping up into a lead and support position in my office, working more closely with management. Today, I committed some time connecting with people in positions that I'm interested in--corporate communications and employee relations. I read their work histories and educational backgrounds. Many of them had undergraduate degrees in journalism or communications but a couple of them had degrees in business, like me.

Does this mean that I'm any less focused on my literary plans? Not at all. I think I'll always have a book budding inside of me. Though I'm burnt out from novel writing (after only 2 books?), there's been a 3rd novel brewing in my head since last year sometime. I have every intention of writing it, too. Just hopefully after I'm published in a couple of magazines and/or book anthologies.

Plus, I'm still moving fast forward with publishing my novel in the spring. The manuscript is in the final editing stage and I couldn't be more excited. I also read an email the other day that reignited my interest in obtaining an literary agent. Delving into this world of self-publishing, as though it's the only way to be an author, I almost forget that traditional publishing is not only possible but it was my preferred method of being an author.

I'm pursuing greatness in my home life as a wife and mother, in my writing life, and, unapologetically, in my corporate life!

All of this while working to lose 25 lbs this year, caring for my chronically sick husband, and staying on top of my 11 yr old son (he's a Boy Scout and he'll be playing soccer this spring). Whew! I'm tired already.

I didn't even touch on the other productiveness of my day, which started at 4:30 a.m. Check out my lifestyle blog, where I talk regularly about fitness, spirituality, natural hair, and anything in between.

Yours in Writing (and Everything Else),

L.A.

NOT Reading at the Library

It's no secret that I LOVE the library. Just in case you didn't know--I LOVE the library. Ironically, I don't spend nearly as much as I'd like. But when I do... I'd easily lose myself for hours in the columns of thick spined books on every subject one can imagine, wood tables tucked in various corners for the kind of quiet needed for studying, reading, or just relaxing. However, I have one of those husbands who doesn't quite get that about me and an 11 yr old son who'd enjoy that time too much without me home to keep him on task. Therefore, I only go when necessary. Like last week, for example, I went in to check out a book that my book club is reading this month, God Help the Child by Toni Morrison. Just like a kid on a rare stop by the toy store, I wanted to stay longer. That day, I had an even more pressing reason to cut the visit short--my husband's doctors appointment. 

A few days later, I found myself logging onto the library's website. I still don't rember what I was looking for but the first item on the page was an announcement about adult coloring! Stress relief was the only encouragement I needed to make a snap decision to go. It was the same night I'd seen the announcement so it must have been meant to be.

The event was advertised on the site for adults but I should have known it was for the entire family. Good thing my son was with me. Participating in non-electronic fun is just what Dr. Mom ordered for him. He got off to a slow start but by the time we were leaving, he was asking when the next coloring event was taking place.

Check out our masterpieces:

Are we going back? Absolutely!

Weekend Recap of Indie Author L.A.

I didn't want to reschedule the appointment with my friends (my current editor and his wife), but I was backed into the corner of spousal obligation. Out of the blue my husband wanted to go out to Gilbaltar Trade Center after our pre scheduled breakfast date. Gilbraltar is a humongous trade center where sellers of just about everything you can think of (rare coins & stamps, jewelry, Avon, clothing, toys, guns, etc.) gather every Saturday and Sunday.

"Remember we're having company this afternoon." I said gently.

"We'll be back by 2." He assured me. So I text my friend's wife--she's the techy one--and advise her of the time change. I wait to hear back.



Excited about what I may find at the trade center, I decided to make the best of unfolding changes to my day. It's been many years since I've been out to Gilbraltar. I'm sure I've been there, at least once or twice, in my adult life but my strongest memories stem from childhood visits with my parents and older brother. The sharp dressing man that my dad is, I'm sure he was on the hunt for good deals on leather jackets while I was more excited about what I would go home with: books, charms for my bracelets I like to make, and materials for friendship bracelets and key chains.  Guess, I haven't changed much!


We set out in the wrong direction, unaware that the trade center in Taylor, Michigan had merged with the one in Mount Clemens. No biggie, though. We made a pit stop at Denny's for breakfast before heading in the opposite direction. My grand slam breakfast was delicious!

Over the forty minute drive, my husband enjoyed listening to tunes from his cell phone playlist while I enjoyed being on the passenger side, for a change, delving deeper into the one of the three Jessica Fletcher mystery novels that my daughter gave me for Christmas.

Sadly, my son wasn't as entertained as I because we don't one of those cars with built-in Wi-Fi. Poor baby. But he perked up once we made it to the trade center.



It was his first time--at least with me. He could have gone with my dad. In fact, I'm sure he did. My dad took him everywhere. Obviously, it wasn't as exciting for him as it was for me as a child. Kids of my son's generation are used to getting little trinkets in between birthdays and holidays.  I wasn't so fortunate--until those family trips to Gibraltar. Back then I was into friendship, charm bracelets, and Sweet Valley High books! And Gibraltar was chock full of everything my eyes could behold!



Nevertheless, my adult eyes weren't overly impressed. I left with a pair of gloves only because the sellers looked desperate for a sale. My son was happy with some fresh cider and fresh mini donuts.



From there we made a few other stops. Nothing of any significance. Unfortunately, my afternoon plans with my friend didn't work out. Honestly, I was pretty disturbed that I let my husband coerce me into changing my plans. Instead of pouting, though, I sucked it up. Sacrificing is a huge part of marriage. However, I WILL NOT be doing it again when I reschedule my plans so I hope my husband doesn't have anymore plans of disruption up his sleeve :))


Til Next Time,


L.A.

Distractions of Writer's Life

Whose days always go according to plan? Nope, not mine either. Once upon a time ago, though, I used to be able to from time to time. But that was before I fell into the role of a caregiver for my husband. Each day carries its own little adventure like a walk through the woods.  Even more so the case since my husband has become ill and needs more of my attention when I get home from work.

I'm blessed that a great part of what I have to do, as far as my writing is concerned, is on the computer and I sit in front of one of those eight hours a day. Only problem is that I'm ethically bound by my conscience and a document only an inch thick but as heavy as box of bricks--business code of conduct--to use that computer for the purposes for which I'm paid.

Luckily that same document does allow some wiggle room for personal use of the computer so I do what I can. On those days when I'm motivated to do more--post a blog, improve the design of my blog, schedule some publicity via Hootsuite, or visit some of the blogs I follow--you know, some of the more consuming activities of this writer's life, I create a mental list of a few things I want to do when I get home.

While I'm making my plans, though, approximately ten  miles away  somebody else is making plans for me too. My husband, bless his heart. Whether it's cooking something in particular for dinner (one day it was fried chicken in addition to the spaghetti that I was in the process of making), picking up something in particular that he may have a taste for (another day it was fixings for a hot fudge sundae), or any given day it could be as simple as watching a few episodes of television shows that he's recorded for my (mainly his) viewing pleasures. The Maury Show is at the top of that list. "You are NOT the father!" LOL! It's not preferred television entertainment but I enjoy watching my husband laugh. Dealing with a chronic illness as he is, moments of sincere laughter are few and far in between.

These detours to what I may have planned for my evening are nothing to get my undies in a bunch about. It happens to the best of us. That's what moments like these--waking up at 5 am on a Saturday morning and catching up on some things all the more appreciated..

Til next time y'all,

Author L.A.

L.A. Jeff & Scribes for Christ

Finally the weekend had arrived. And this was a rare Saturday that I didn't have anything that I had to do thanks to my son surprising loss of interest in bowling. Well, to be fair to him, his loss isn't really in the actual game of bowling but the having to wake up at 8 am on Saturday to bowl at 8:45. After two weeks of dragging him out of bed and out of the door I decided to stop forcing the matter. Heck, I'd be saving approximately $15 a week ($10 for bowling, $5 my coffee and my son's snack).

Anyway, my calendar was clear and lucky for me just the day before a message had come through my email notifying me of a writer's group meeting not too far from my home. I was totally excited! First you have to understand that every other writer's group that I know of meets on the 2nd Saturday of the month. One of the first that joined, Motown Writer's Network, meets at 10am and the other, The Called and Ready Writers meets 1pm and the last one, The Detroit Writer's Guild meets at noon. Seriously???  A writer shouldn't have to choose. I'd love to attend all of these meetings but that just wasn't possible. Second Saturday is also the day off my sorority meeting. I don't always make it to that either, but you can understand how overwhelming it could be knowing all of that is happening on the same day.

So, yes, I was excited that the Lord orchestrated a way for me to network with a group of writers. It may not be on my vision board for 2016 but the desire to meet with other writers on a regular basis has been in my heart. Networking and getting and giving support to and from other writers is a piece of the puzzle to a writer's success. Writing may be a solitary activity but the support and encouragement of other writers is a key component in most writers' success. And I want mine!

Scribes for Christ is a group of writers who right for the lifting up and glorifying of God. The group meets at Greater Grace Temple, a humongous house of God, which boasts a membership in the thousands! I'm just glad that it was on my side of town and didn't require me to drive to downtown Detroit where I have to drive everyday for work--a hindrance to me attending the Motown Writers Network meetings.

My current book projects are not Christian in nature, but with the start of my very first book, over 10 years ago, God was whispering in my ear about my responsibility to write for Him. I'm ready to be obedient to that call.

I arrived at the meeting about 10 mins late--I recently added a clock to my vision board to represent timeliness in all things. A powerful prayer was being led by an apparent prayer warrior. God's annointing was called into the place. and then the meeting was called to order. I'm glad that I've been involved in enough writers' functions that I wasn't a total stranger to the proceedings of the meeting. Nevertheless, as I was driving to the meeting I experienced a similar nervousness that was present when I attended my very first writers' meeting back in 2004 or 2005. Plus, there were a couple of familiar faces. One, in fact, a writer/professional editor that I'd been intending to reconnect with for a mentor/mentee, friendship relationship. God was aware of this desire too!

Prayer was the first distinction that I'd noticed with this group but that was expected--Scribes for Christ. However,  the next distinction was not.

Writing exercises. Group Exercises.

    Writing Exercise Time

"You mean we're not just going to listen to a speaker talk about a certain topic with the opportunity to ask questions?" I thought to myself.

"Uh-oh. This meeting was going to pull me out of my comfort zone in more than one way." But I was excited!

By the time I left that meeting, I'd written a vision of who L.A. Jefferson was 5 yrs from now, which included millions of books sold across the country and beyond, books translated into multiple languages, movie options, Oprah book club selection, and a nationally syndicated column.



Oh yes! I was blessed during that meeting and left it knowing that I would be back!

Of course I went home fired up to write. It may have taken me all day to do it in between housecleaning, preparing dinner, and entertaining my 5 yr old niece who insisted on wrapping me up like a present and painting each other's nails, but I composed  one blog posts for the upcoming week and started on a few more in my head.

Til next time...

Author L.A.

New Year, New L.A.

 

Ooohhh baby! It's cold in the D! So much so that I had to cover up my entire yet!

I can't tell you how good and strange this new year feels to me.  For the first time since I started this blog waaaayyyyy back in 2009 (possibly 2008) I don't have a book project looming over my head. I didn't come into the new year with an unfinished project for which I've had to extend the deadline. Nope! Not this year!

For the first since I published my first book I get to focus on building my online platform, promoting my upcoming book, Reconciliation to Hell, and working on some shorter writing pieces--essays and memoirs, specifically.  I actually started that process in the latter part of 2015 having submitted two stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul and one to Readers Digest.

It's been far too long since I've posted here so I can't possibly fill you in on everything that's been going on. So please come back and follow me on my writing journey. I'm looking forward to sharing with you.

Something's Gotta Give-Update

"If you seek, you shall find." In my case, I didn't even have to look for anything. Stuff has a way of finding me. Remember how I was just telling you about the conflicting activities taking place on Feb 9th? Remember how I said at least the kids don't have anything going on that day? Remember? The very day after I posted that my son excitedly gave me an invite to his schools Black History program, which of course, he's excited to be a part of. Now we all know where I'll be in February 9th.

The kids always win in these things.

LaCharmine (L.A.) Jefferson
Author, Writer, Blogger
Website: http://www.lajefferson.com/
Blogs by me:
L.A.'s Literary Love Life@ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com/
A Day in the Life of L.A. Jefferson @ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com/
All Things Love @ http://all-things-love.blogspot.com/
Naturally L.A. @ http://naturallyla.wordpress.com/
Surviving Work @ http://survivingmydayjob.wordpress.com/
Follow me on Twitter @lajefferson

Something's Gotta Give

There may be some truth to my daughters claim that I have too much going on. If being a single mom of two kids and working a full time job isn't enough, I'm active in two organizations at work, church, and my writing career. Not to mention the kids' activities!

Here's my current dilemma. When I registered for a Social Media for for Authors workshop on February 9th, a familiar strange feeling came over me. I couldn't put my finger on it immediately but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something already on my calendar for that date. Later on I received an email from one of the groups I'm in at work, the org I want to increase my participation in, and that's when it hit me! That particular organization was having a meeting on Feb 9th and so was the other work organization. Just my luck, while I wanted to attend the one function, I have an obligation to attend the other being that I'm on the executive board. HOWEVER, I need to be at that workshop. After all, the success of my writing career hinges on how well I market my business through social media networks.

What would you do?

LaCharmine (L.A.) Jefferson
Author, Writer, Blogger
Website: http://www.lajefferson.com/
Blogs by me:
L.A.'s Literary Love Life@ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com/
A Day in the Life of L.A. Jefferson @ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com/
All Things Love @ http://all-things-love.blogspot.com/
Naturally L.A. @ http://naturallyla.wordpress.com/
Surviving Work @ http://survivingmydayjob.wordpress.com/
Follow me on Twitter @lajefferson

Thanksgiving Holiday Overview

It's Monday morning. The Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday. A.K..A. lots of eating and lots of shopping. Thus, the pedometer attached to my hip this morning and my workout DVD in my tote bag. Unfortunately, I wont be able to get to the DVD because I left the key to my work locker at home--on the floor under the computer desk, no less--so I can't change into my workout clothes over lunch :(( However, I can do lots of walking and get my hula hoop on! Yes, friends and fam, I have incorporated an old childhood pasttime of hula hooping into my everyday fitness regimen and it's so much fun! For the last two weeks, I've been relieving stress at work, burning calories, and having fun with the hula hoops someone was kind enough to put in our fitness center here at work. If I hadn't been so distracted by cooking, eating, shopping, and family over the last four days, I would've missed my daily hula hoop sessions. But now that I'm back at work, I'm glad to be able to get back to it! I just wish I could bring the darn hula hoops up to my desks so I won't have to go all the way down to the fitness center whenever I need to get my fix!

Nevertheless, after a few lessons at church of thankfulness I have a spirit of thankfulness this morning. Unlike how I was feeling during my last post, today I'm thankful for my job. Glad to be here, in fact. Over the weekend, I was even moved to gift my coworkers with a small token for the holidays. I'm done being in a sour puss at work.

That's enough for now. I've got a book that I need to finish writing...

#MyDayJobSucks

I'm in great admiration of Nathaniel this morning. It's Tuesday and he's got a day off! Oh, what I'd give to be in his shoes. Instead, I'm the mom, the head of household, the breadwinner, the bill payer. Can you guess where I am? Yep. Work! And it's really sad that it's the last place I want to be.

As a believer in God, I try not to express negative sentiments about my job because I know that I could easily be a part of the large population of the unemployed in Michigan and across the nation. That's not a place that I want to be and I thank God that I've never been there before. Believe me, I don't want to have any personal dealings with M.A.R.V.I.N.

BUT...I'm really tired of my job! Can I say that one more time? I'm really tired of my job! The people. The work. The managers. Especially the managers! Basically, everything besides my paycheck.

So being the writer that I am, I go to the Web and google workplace blogs because I've been considering creating a workplace ranting blog for sometime. In my search, I came across a website promoting this guy named, Alexander Kjerulf, who wrote a book entitled, Happy Hour is 9 to 5: How to be Happy at Work.

Just what I needed, right? On this guy's blog he had a video where he advised of the two most important factors that contribute to employee happiness at work: Results & Relationships. Mr. Kjerulf said that when employees see, understand, and are properly rewarded for their results they feel happy about work AND when they like and feel liked by the poeple they work with, they feel happy.

In that case, my unhappiness at work is warranted. My department produces a product that no one really cares about anymore--the white pages. It's a product in it's last life stages and that's exactly how our department operates. Quite depressing.

Thank God for my writing. It's the only thing that keeps me sane for 8 hrs that I have to spend at my job that's paying the bills.

Follow me on Twitter @lajefferson for my workplace grumblings @ hashtag #mydayjobsucks

Homecoming, Halloween, & Birthdays

Hey Fam & Friends!

It's been awhile since my last post but trust and believe me, that's not because there's been nothing to share! October was quite a busy month! For starters, LaTya started her first job! Yay!!! On the road to independence. A parent's dream! She's working at Panera Bread and she's quite enjoying it, especially when she gets those checks. LOL!

Also, LaTya joined the Mime ministry at church!  It's quite a blessing when children desire and choose ministries on their own. Sure, that puts something else on my plate--weekly practice--but I'm glad to do it for her.  Below is a clip of one of her first performances. I apologize in advance for the messed up part of the video. Cell phones video recording--what can you do? But I guarantee you'll enjoy what you are able to see!

Then there was my birthday--October 15th! I dun' crossed over to the other side of 35! It's really tripping me out, too, but I'm blessed, nonetheless. I got the best birthday gift ever. My honey, Kevin, gifted me with a weekend at the Holiday Inn Express downtown, which was perfectly planned because my writer's group, Motown Writers Network was hosting it's 3rd Annual Book Club Mix & Mingle where authors and book club members come together for a fun-filled gathering! At the event (on my actual birthday), I wore my birthday present from LaTya, a t-shirt that reads, "Future Best Selling Author". Isn't she just a doll of a daughter?





Myself, L.A. Jefferson & National Best Selling Author Vincent Alexandria book swapping!

  October 21st: Cass Tech High School Homecoming!

Check out this Cass Tech Cutie!

Any guess what she's thinking about?

He'd never admit how pretty he thought his sister looked. LOL!

Halloween 2011: Harvest Celebration at Kadesh Baptist Church

Pretty girl Tya a.k.a Bunny Rabbit & Princess Alaura 

Nate the Great a.k.a. Ice Wolf Ninja

Nate a.k. Ice Wolf Ninja beating his Larry ak.a. General Grievous (Clone Wars) in the musical chairs game

My Jalen poo a.k.a. Woody

My Raymond poo a.k.a Wolverine

My Kenny poo a.k.a. Iron Man

I was dressed up, but who takes pictures of me :(( Nevertheless, kids had a ball! And with the end of the night, as with most holidays, I was just glad when it was over!

It's a New Day

Yes! It's official. We're moving!!! In fact, how'd I spend Labor Day weekend? Packing up and cleaning my house. Needless to say, it was exhausting.

For those who didn't know--which is mostly everyone--please don't take it personal. If you haven't learned it by now, this is just how I do things. Not so much "keeping secrets", but I've learned in my adult life that I do much better when I deal with changes in my life on my own before I share with family and friends, who will undoubtedly be compelled to offer their opinion, positive or negative. I hope that's understandable.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited! Some of you may know this has been on my list "to-do" since I divorced Mr.Jefferson and moved back to my house --geez--four years ago! The new place is in Southfield and my Detroit home is on the market awaiting short sale approval. If you come across any investors looking for property in Detroit, please send them my way. I'd much appreciate it.


Wish us luck! Better yet, send multiple prayers to the Heavens. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

A Not so Regular Saturday

Days like this are alright with me! Days when I don't have anything that I have to do. Days when the kids don't have anything that they have to do. Of course, a teenager can always come up with something to do rather than stay at home and clean up. Me too, for that matter. LOL! Seriously, while I'd love to stay home doodling around on the Internet (Blogger, Twitter, & Facebook), I won't do that to the kids.

My daughter wants to get to the mall to shop for her infamous Sweet 16 birthday outfit. My son wants nothing more than to pick up a toy along the way. And me, I'd prefer to do none of that because I know when I leave the house I'll be compelled to take care of some necessary things for the house but I will at least ensure that I treat myself to a pedicure and eye brow arch while we're out.

Olive Garden for dinner on a Friday night. Not the usual choice for the kids and I, but much better than the usual McDonalds, Burger King. I know it's pasta but it's healthier than burgers and fries. Right.

How Do You Choose?

On any given day, there's literally a billion things to do! Everywhere I look--and for some reason I'm always looking--there's always something going on. Between hustle & ballroom lessons, organization meetings, church activities, exercise classes, kids' school activities (LSCO mtgs, P/T conferences, programs), my writer's group activities, and a host of other functions and activities that I'd love to support. But you know what, even if I didn't have two children to devote my time and energy to, I still wouldn't be able to do all that I want to do. Sometimes the decisions are hard to make. For example, last Saturday was my monthly writer's meeting. For various reasons I haven't made the last couple of meetings so I put it in on my mind the whole week before that I was not going to miss this one. BUT when I woke up that morning, I just wasn't feeling it. Then I heard the groups founder, Sylvia Hubbard, word's, "If your writing is important to you, you should be able to sacrifice one Saturday morning per month for a couple of hours." She's absolutley right! I should be able to, but I don't always want  to.  On that particular morning I was much more inclined to enjoy one of my favorite movies Julie & Julia, while drinking a delicious cup of coffee and a glazed donut with my kids. Not to mention, that movie creates a surge of writing inspiration! So I'm no less dedicated to my craft of writing because I missed yet another meeting.

As for the other activities that I pass on, I just don't see any other around it. I'd love to dance 2 or 3 nights a week or take a Zumba class once a week. Unfortunately, after working all week, helping with homework all week, writing & blogging all week, I have to be extremely selective what I do in my free time. Right now my priorities are my kids and my writing. So dancing stays on the back burner until I get an invite or hear about party I want to attend. Exercise is limited to an occasional Zumba class and Exercise T.V. programs. Most school activities are mandatory. Church is on Sunday and once or twice a month for additional services or meetings (church is kind of important). The rest of the time is for as much R & R as I can get!

"What have you been up to?"

How do you really answer that question? Usually I respond with something along the lines of same 'ole same 'ole. Any other response would surely illicit the respond, "TMI" from the requestor. Or at least I think so.

If someone really wants to know what I've been up they would learn that I'm trying to finish a book I've been reading since the beginning of January. I'm trying to pay my bills ON TIME every month to increase my credit score so that I can be approved for a mortgage loan. I'm passively planning my daughter's upcoming 16th birthday celebration. I'm blogging and promoting my book, Unfinished Business. On top of all of that I'm consciencely making efforts to keep my house clean and in order. Oh and need I mention that I have two children in school--one a six year old who I have to help with homework and read to or have reading every evening.

See how much stuff I have going on? And there's so much I didn't even bother to mention. Who really wants to hear all of that? Nobody. Therefore, "Same 'ole, same 'ole" will continue to be my response.

How do you answer that question?

Bring Back the Days--Painted Fingers & Toes

On this treacherous snow day in Michigan, I spent much of the day pondering how I was going to attain the riches that I so rightly deserve. Will they come from my writing endeavors? Will they come from climbing the corporate ladder? Or will they come from the growth of my home-based Avon business? You can imagine how stressful this day was. Then,suddenly I was hit with a flashback of one of the simpler times of my adult life. A time when I gave little thought to money, little thought to weight loss, little thought to the complexities of life.

I was a young mom, just 21 years old, married, living free (literally) on the Air Force base on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii. Yes, HAWAII!

My daughter was not quite one years old. I wasn't working outside of the home. I hadn't re-enrolled in college yet. With my days, all that was required of me was caring for my daughter, a little light housekeeping, and making sure my husband had a hot meal ready when he came home. While I was acutely aware that I wasn't as happily married as I would have liked, life was still good. It was easy. Painting my nails, reading, and taking long brisk walks around the base with my daughter securely strapped in her stroller were daily pleasures. Ooooh, those were the good 'ole days!