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!

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...

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!

"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?

Slow it Down Please

After sitting on the sidelines watching my daughter get her exercise on via our Exercise TV programming, which I'm always recommending and encouraging others to take advantage of, today I decided to get my butt in gear.

Actually, I dabbled in it a couple of days ago doing the 6min Zumba Fitness video. Since it was only 6mins, I did the video back-to-back. I just couldn't see it any other way. Anyway, today I added Yoga Sculpt to the mix and that damn instructor was going waaayyyy too fast for me. Considering I'm a novice at Yoga I couldn't keep up with the video and do the moves correctly! You know, Yoga positions are about focus and concentration. Imagine my struggle trying to focus on the pose and see what the instructor was doing next. Long story short, I made it through a solid 15mins of the 25min video, but I think that's pretty good for someone who prefers to spend her evenings watching t.v., blogging, or writing--oh yeah--and parenting.

No promises, now. Not even to myself.  But I'd like to do some Yoga or some form of body sculpting in the morning. Check in tomorrow for an update.

2011 Expectations

Wow! The new year is right around the corner--4 days to be exact. And I am reeling with contemplation for how I plan to enter the new decade. Now, I don't get off into the New Year's resolution thing but it's definitely time for a change on the inside and out. Here is a short list of changes I'm looking forward to for my 2011. Tell me some of yours.

1. Cleanliness & Orderliness--My bedroom and my desk at work have one significant thing in common--CLUTTER! Especially in my bedroom I oftentimes get overwhelmed with the stuff be around me that I can't sleep. This stuff ranges from Avon boxes, books, mail, shoes & boots that my closet can't contain. I've been so put off by my clutter that I've gone so far as to wake up 2 hrs before my normal time just so I could clean my room. At least once, I took the day off work to do the same thing. Sometimes I simply can't take it! Unfortunately I never get it quite to where I want it to be. I'm praying I get it together in 2011. I don't want to take lack of cleanliness and order to my bigger bedroom in my next house. I may take a day off work 12/31 just to get it done!

2. I feel a new 'do coming on. This goal is kind of tricky considering I've only been locked for 2 1/2 years, not to mention I'm not 100% on what I want to do with my hair oustide of locks, but I can't shake this antsy feeling. I've gone through this before--wanting them out. After careful consideration I've always come back to the realization that this is what's best for my hair. I have the length for versatility that I don't take enough advantage of. Plus, it's getting longer as the days go on. Thing is if I want the locks to be down by 1/1 (actually 12/30) I need to start the process of combing them out tonight. But what will I do with my hair without locks. I don't want to be like those I've known who've taken there locks out and immediately regretted it. So I'll have to think on this one. Maybe I just need to commit to keeping my roots tightened for a better look.  Update: See how quickly my mind can change in a 24 hr period. Revised goal is NOT to take my locks down but create a real hair regimen like moisturizing more often and keeping my roots twisted AND wearing crinkley locks more often.

3. An attitude of expectation. God's word promises to provide the NEEDS of HIS children. Guess what? I AM one of HIS children. So that means HE will provide my needs. Therefore, I will now have an attitude of expectancy instead of constantly thinking of what I don't have because HE will provide. For me specifically in 2011 I need a bigger house that is equally affordable as the one that I currently live in. I'm not sure of how the process is going to work BUT I expect it to work in my favor. And like Forest Gump said, "That's all I'm going to say about that."

4. Spiritual--I'm always in constant communication with God. However, somewhere along the lines I stopped getting down on my knees in prayer. I've been afraid of fasting. Today, the buck stops here. Actually, for the last two days I have gotten my butt out of bed, onto my knees and prayed. It felt good. I'll also be going back to Sunday school, which will be good for my children too.

5. Friends & Family. For years I've wanted certain kinds of relationships with the few friends that I've maintained over the years. You know, those Waiting to Exhale & Sex and the City type of friendships. But, in complete honesty I have not walked the walk. Wherever my friends are--out of state or in state with me--I truly appreciate their presence in my life and I plan to more of a concerted effort to show them as much.

6. Of course this post wouldn't be complete without my 2011 writing expectations!!! Simply put, WRITE MORE! SELL MORE!. By spring 2011 my follow up to Unfinished Business will be complete so by this time next year I expect to be midway through the third book.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Chillaxin Saturday--NOT

Somebody told me that I don't do anything. Huh? That couldn't be farther from the truth! The truth of the matter is that even when I'm not doing anything I'm doing something. Today, for example, I made a conscience decision to chill at home, maybe clean my bedroom which is always in need of attention and, of course, do a bit of writing.

At first I was going to plug into my book project, but I decided against it. I actually have made a lot of progress on it over the last week and I'm feeling pretty good about it. It's my blogging that I needed to catch up on. Maintaining three of them--I've got to stay on top of it. As a matter of fact when I finish this post I've got to complete one of the others I was working on this morning. I intended to get a little bit more accomplished online such as creating my mailing list, updating my website, add to my blog design, etc, but I was joyfully interrupted by the company of my four nephews and neice. It was my daughter's suggestion for them to come over for a visit since we don't get many visits because we're always the ones doing the visiting. Their ages ranging from eight to six months, it goes without saying that my attention was appropriately diverted from my original intentions. Nevertheless, I'm pleased with what I managed to accomplish.: clean room, style in progress for my lovely locs, and updated blog posts.

Now I'd better stop going on and on about how good this day was so that I can finish that other blog and take my butt to bed in preparation for tomorrow. If all goes well I'll get up early enough to go to Sunday School before church.

Perfect Timing

There's a saying that most Christains know very well. It goes something like, "God may not come when you want him, BUT He's always comes on time." I can certainly attest to that on many levels. However, more recently, this past week I was really feeling the need for a getaway. I needed some time just for me. Not me and the kids. Not me and my mom. Not me and and anybody else. Well, after some plans that I was trying to make fell through I turned my mind to look forward to the next best thing--a quiet weekend at home with the kids. I figured I'd give them something they'd been looking forward to first, then maybe they'd be cool with spending Saturday at home, you know, without pestering me about when we were going to go somewhere. So, I took them to see the new released movie they both wanted to see, "Dispicable Me." Much to the delight of my son, I even let my nephew tag along. Cool auntie, right :) Anyway, they got what they wanted on Friday and I got what I wanted on Saturday PLUS a bonus! My morning began with a brisk walk. When I got home, I put the children to work cleaning the house. In thd midst of our (mainly her) cleaning, my daughter and I were entertained with Lifetime Movie Network movies. It was shaping up to be a very relaxed and quiet afternoon. Out of nowhere my sister calls me up and asks if my daughter could come over to her house to braid her hair (yep, my baby's got skills!) and of course I said yes and insisted that my son tag along to so he could play with his little cousins. It only made sense. And just like that I got a few hours to myself--all to myself! So, even though I thought I needed an entire weekend to myself, God saw fit to give me a few hours and I couldn't have been more greatful!

A New Day

You'd never believe what I had planned for myself on this past Friday evening. A hair appointment! Yes, a hair appointment. What's so significant about this hair appointment as it compares to other sporadic ones that I've had over the last two years is that this one will be the first of many to come. After much consideration of how I take care of myself, I recently decided that I'm lacking considerably in the area of allowing myself simple indulgences that, quite frankly, I deserve. After all, I do go to work everyday. I provide a good life for myself and my children. But when the economy started going to hell I, like many Americans, began cutting back on spending. I won't get off into all the cut backs that I made, but I'll say among the cuts included my personal pampering spending. Back in the day I was at the salon every two weeks. In the summer I would get pedicures, sometimes manicures. I kept my eyebrows arched. Well, not anymore. I rationalized that those things were not important enough to spend money on, especially when I knew people who were doing these things for themselves. I figured I could too. That's what led me to become a DIY'er. Don't get me wrong, being a DIY'er has certainly had it's advantages, specifically monetarily, but it's also quite exhausting. Becoming a DIY'er made forget the importance of treating oneself. That's why there is a industry full of services: massages, nails, facials, hair salons, etc. So in essence I'm damaging the economy in part by taking away money from that industry. Therefore, I'm giving back. I've decided to have my locks interlocked. And, since I can't do that myself I'll be entrusting the care of my hair to my cousin,a professional loctician, who also happens to be my cousin. I'm starting with my hair, but in due time I'm going to start treating myself to monthly massages and pedicures. Matter of fact, I think I'll get a pedicure today :))

Redemption Feels So Good

Today I am redeemed as a mom. I was really on the ball! After work yesterday I stopped at CVS to get my kids some much needed supplies for school:index cards for my daughter's speech class, a lock for her gym class, and a new foler for my son's backpack :) Following that milestone, without my daughter having to remind a zillion times, I forked over the cash she needed for her gym uniform and I gave my son the cash he needed for his little Valentine's Day dance. I was early on the latter. It's not even due until next Friday. Like I said, I was on the ball! Yes, I rock!

The Charles Pugh Controversy

Every morning I tune into Inside Detroit to get my daily dose of what's going on in and around the city of Detroit. It's informative, oftentimes entertaining, and surely full of controversy. As the city of Detroit is in the last days of it's most recent general election for the offices of mayor, city council, and the city charter commission, the fire is definitely getting hot! Most recently one of the leading city council candidates, Charles Pugh has been outted as one of the thousands of Detroit's irresponsible homeowners facing foreclosure. The controversy is whether this personal travesty should or will effect his lead position in the race.

I'm on the nay side of that coin. This is not just because I'm a supporter of Mr. Pugh, but more so because I don't believe the way in which a person handles their personal finances is necessarily indicative of how they will handle financial responsibilities pertaining to their job. It's hard for me to believe that those who have allowed this recently released story to retrack their support of Mr. Pugh REALLY believe that everyone who works in a financial area, whether it be public or private, are handling their work financial responsibilities the same as their personal financial responsibilities. That is absolutely absurd!

It's unfortunate how people take advantage of these kinds of stories to cast judgement on others. I was in awe of the judgemental comments that I heard from people on the radio. The gist of their comments went along the lines of:

1) Since he's running for public office, his personal finances are the business of the people and the people have a right to judge how he will handle the city's financial concerns.

2) If Mr. Pugh receives late notices, threats of eviction, that is indicative of his lack of integrity and responsibility.

Give me a break people! Whether or not Charles Pugh pays his mortgage of any other bills in a timely manner has nothing to do with how effective he will be as a council member. Now, if he was delinquent in city taxes (income or property) that would be a different matter entirely because that has a direct impact on this city.

It is beyond me why people are acting like facing foreclosure is the end of the world. First and foremost, anyone can face this situation AND some even place themselves in that situation as a strategic move against the mortgage company. Why are people acting like they don't know this! I know people personally who have let their homes fall into foreclosure so they could purchase more affordable homes OR so they could force the mortgage company's hand into modifying their loans.

This is not rocket science. Some candidate who is NOT a frontrunner for the #1 or #2 position on city council put that story out there to try to bring Charles Pugh down. I guess we'll see on November 3rd if it worked.

Stay tuned!

Til Later...Author L.A. Jefferson

Making the Most of this Time

I have these moments more often than I admit and certainly more often than I take advantage of. I'm speaking of times alone in my house without my children. Unfortunately, the times are not that long, but even still it is of the upmost importance that I take advantage of it.

Usually when I have these times I run around like a chicken with my head cut off. I'm running here, running there--sometimes going to the gym, or grocery shopping. If I stay home, I'm attempting to clean up or cook or anything related to the house. Sometimes if I have a good book around, I'll get some reading done.

Now, there's nothing wrong with any of the things listed below IF I didn't have something of an urgent nature to do. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm talking about writing. I'm always complaining that as a fulltime, working single mother of two, the one thing I don't have enough time for is writing. So, today, at this moment, while I could be working out, catching up on laundry, cleaning my kitchen, or retrieving my fall wardrobe from storage in the basement, I'm going to put my money where my mouth is, if that makes sense. As soon as I finish this blog entry, I'm pulling out my pad & paper and getting some writing done on my current writing project: Reconcilliation to Hell.

Wish me luck! Hopefully, if I don't get distracted, I'll make some progress that I can be proud of.

Til Later...L.A.

P.S. Please forgive me for not proofreading this entry, but I gotta get busy :)

Weekend Recap

I know everything happens for a reason and because I'm a child of God, I also know that everything that happens is meant for my good. Well, none of that made me feel immediately better about how out of control my weekend became! It's not that it was soooo bad, but it just didn't go my way. First, my body finally surrendered to my 5yr old son coughing in my face throughout the week. I woke up with the scratchy throat syndrome. Then, since my son had had the cough for over a week, I decided to take him to the doctor. Plus, he needed a haircut AND I had plans to drop my daughter off at the mall with her friend. Then some family stuff surfaced on Sunday, which is REALLY the day I like to chill! Therefore, the weekend that I had planned to relax and recover from the tiresome previous weekend was everything but.

HOWEVER, in the end everything was in divine order. The things that interrupted MY plans of the upmost importance: my nephew's 1st b-day party and a family dinner in celebration of my visiting great-aunt from Memphis, TN. As much as I complained about the infrigement of my intended R&R weekend, I was glad to have had the time with my family.

God-willing, there will be other weekends to sit back and relax or maybe do some major house cleaning that my house is in serious need of.

Til next time...

L.A.

The Good Ole' Days

I'm wondering when did I become such a scaredy-cat when it comes to spending money. Five years ago, I had standing bi-weekly hair appointments. In the summer, I would at least treat myself to two or three pedicures in the summer time. I would treat my mom, sister, and my daughter to the movies on occasion. We'd go to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And, the mall was a hangout--not just for window shopping either.

Now, I cringe when my, now, teenage daughter wants to go the mall. Although I want and need a pedicure, when I think about kicking out that $25 dollars compared to just painting my own toenails, I decide on the latter. Even though I wear my hair locked, I only see my loctician a few times a year, maintaining my own hair.

Did the economy reshape my spending priorities? Did maturity? Did having two children?

Whatever the case and cause, I know I miss those days. Even though I know my sights are set on more longterm gratifying things like a bigger house, college savings for my children, my personal savings, vacation (family & personal), I really want the best of both worlds. I'd love to get back to treating myself to regular hair appointments. I want regular pedicures! I want to hit the mall whenever a sale is going on, not just when I absolutely have to for the kids.

Thank God for patience and strength. Until I'm able to have the life I want, I make the best of the life I have. Where I can't shop ALL the time, on the occasion when I take the kids shopping for their necessities, I treat myself to a little something. Every now and then, the kids and I do go out for breakfast or dinner, bowling, and a movie (matinee or drive-ins). I'm comforted knowing my reward is on the way :)