Look This Way

This morning on my way to work I took the picture that you see here. All the way to work while driving east on the freeway I was captivated by how gorgeous the sunrise was. This picture doesn't even do it justice.

As I continued to drive, all I could do was thank God for the beauty that He gives us through nature. This was truly one of them.

Since I couldn't take a picture while I was driving, I waited until I was at a stop light and got THIS shot. I thought it was really somethin', so I posted it on FB.

Well...after I posted the pic and looked at it, I noticed all the garbage there along the side. Where did that come from? I didn't see that before.

Then I got to thinking. This is what happens when you put your focus on something. Especially something good. You simply don't notice all of the garbage that's around you. I was so focused on that beautiful sunrise, I had no idea that there even WAS anything else. I didn't realize that there were cars in the pic, didn't see the traffic signals...none of that. I was FOCUSED.

As Christians, this is how we must be. We must keep our focus on Jesus. Just like Peter in Matthew 14:22-33. As long as Peter had his eyes on Jesus, he was able to walk on the water. But as soon as Peter took his eyes OFF of Jesus and focused on something else, he began to sink.

I want to be more focused on Jesus so that I can do things that I am unable to do when my focus is not on Him. I want better, I need better, I need to BE better. I am tired of this life of mediocrity. From here on out Jesus, my FOCUS is on YOU.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What do YOU need to focus on more?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Breaking up the Monotony

I am in a rut. Have been for a while. Too long actually.

I need something different. A change. Something more than the daily routine of: get up, go to work, count the hours until 4:00, go home, run out of time needed for gettin

g the things done that need to be done, go to bed…tired, wake up… tired, and start all over again. Yes folks, if that’s not called a RUT I don’t know what is.

Yesterday, I needed to do something…ANYTHING that would break up the monotony of my life. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. What do I do?

Not much…and THAT’S the problem.

So I went out and did something I’ve NEVER done before.

I bought a Powerball ticket. No biggie…I’ve done THAT before.

And…I BOUGHT ONE OF EACH SCRATCHER that was in the case. Yep. Sure did.

Don’t ask me how much I spent. That’s none of your business. And quite honestly, when I bought them I didn’t even care if I could afford them or not. It was all or nothing. I went with ALL.

The results?

Well…I checked the Powerball numbers this morning…didn’t win.

I played one of my scratchers…didn’t win. Many more to scratch.

Do I regret my decision? NOT ONE BIT.

Would I do it again? SURE

Will I? Probably not.

I am content with simply being able to say that I did something without thinking about it for days…without playing out all of the “what ifs” and then talking myself out of the decision.

Sometimes, you just have to throw caution to the wind and “JUST DO IT!”

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever had a “throw caution to the wind” moment? If so, what did you do?

Talk to me!

Til next time…

***NOTE*** Today is Saturday and I have since played 2 more Scratchers. Didn’t win on one and won a new ticket on other.

I.C.E.???

Those who know me know that I like to walk for exercise. I walk at least 3 times a week, 5 when I'm able.

Although I really enjoy walking with my running group, Black Girls RUN!, lately I've been unable because my schedule just hasn't allowed it. So I've been walking closer to home, some days with my son.

The past 2 days I've walked by myself because my son wasn't home. Whenever I walk alone safety is always at the forefront of my mind. I tend to think about 2 things:

1. If someone abducts me, who would know, and would I be found?
2. If I have a medical emergency, who would anyone contact?

I don't even know HOW to address the first question. I guess I need to start letting somebody know where I'm going, and my route. I rarely do that.

For the second question though, this is where "I.C.E." comes in handy on the cellphone. "I.C.E." by the way, stands for "In Case of Emergency".

I have two problems with both questions.

1. My smartphone (like most) locks, and without knowing the pass code, there's no way to get in and find my "I.C.E." contact.
2. I DO NOT HAVE AN "I.C.E." contact.

No husband. No "significant other". NOBODY.

Yes, I have 3 children, one under 18 (so I couldn't list him anyway), one over the age of 18 and the other over the age of 21, but I would not want them to be bothered with a call telling them that I've had an emergency. That's just too much to put on them. And I've come to the very recent realization that unless the person is my husband/significant other or my child...nobody really cares. People have lives of their own and I can not expect them to put me on the front burner and everything else on the back. Doing that just leads to disappointment and it wouldn't be fair to them or me (not sure if that was grammatically correct, but in my mind, it works).

It's also a reason why I hate doctor's visits. They always want me to update forms, and there's always that dreaded line for "Emergency Contact". I mean really, what is a person supposed to put there when there's no one to list??? Children can list parents. Husbands can list wives. Wives can list husbands. But me???

So other than my children right now, until a husband/significant other comes along there's NO ONE.

And no, I'm not having a "pity party", I am simply stating the facts. THERE IS NO ONE. At least no one human, here on earth.

That leaves only One. My "I.C.E." contact is GOD. The ONLY One I can count on and trust. Again, not having a "pity party", just stating the facts.

He knows what to do with me if I have an emergency and my emergency would not be an intrusion on Him. I trust Him.
He knows my desires if I end up in a life altering situation. I trust Him.
He knows how long I'll stay here on earth and when it's time to go. I trust Him.


So am I worried when I'm out walking alone? Not at all. It'll still be "one foot in front of the other", and I'll be just fine.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do YOU

have an "I.C.E" contact? If not, what's your plan?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Whose Time is it Anyway?!?

The longer I work FOR someone else, the more I realize that I NEED to be working FOR MYSELF.

Now let me preface the rest of this by saying, YES, I am grateful for my job and realize that thousands would love to have my seat. I get that completely.

Now...with all that being said...I need to be self-employed, doing my own thing, where my time will be my own.

When I'm tired and need to take some time off, I'll be able to, because my time will be my own. No longer will I look forward to taking TWO vacation days in September when it's only July. Do you realize how FAR AWAY September is when I need a vacation NOW?!? And even then, all I'll get are TWO days because that's all I'll have available.

Or how 'bout not being able to take time off to take my kids to the dentist so that they can have their dental work done. Nope...can't do it. Apparently, I don't have any sick time. Well, actually...I do have 1.5 hours Regular sick time and 16 hours (that's TWO DAYS) of Extended Sick time (that I can't touch).

What's "Extended Sick time?" I'm glad you asked.

It's sick time that I didn't take last year so it rolled over to this year. But I can't touch it unless an arm falls off or something crazy like that. So, as much as I NEED to use that time to take my kids back to the dentist...I AM UNABLE TO. What kind of sense does THAT make?!? Absolutely NONE!

So basically, it's great for the company that I didn't use up all my sick time last year, and even better for them that 16 hours are sittin' on the books that they still get the keep at the end of THIS year (unless my arm falls off). That really irks me!!!

So yeah...it's time for me to get my butt in gear, get my business started, and get some books published, so that I can work for ME and make my OWN schedule.

Let the DIALOGUE begin! Are you self-employed, or do you work FOR somebody like I do? If you work for an employer, are you ok with that or would you like to do your own thing one day?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

MANicure???

Tonight's post will be short and sweet 'cause I'm sleepy.

So I went to get a pedicure today and when I sat in my spa chair I noticed this big burly man in the chair next to me. Yep, he was gettin' a "pedi" too.

It always catches me a bit off guard when I see men in the nail shop...AS the customer. But hey...men need nice feet too, right? I mean really, have you seen some of the feet in the sandals that men wear. EWWW...just EWWW! Just a mass of ash and crust. Because of that, I can appreciate the fact that some men actually get their feet taken care of. Thank you!

So he sat there getting his "pedi" and chilled. Once that was done I got another surprise. Nancy (one of the workers at the shop) escorted him over to another area where he dipped his hands in soapy water in preparation of his MANicure. THAT really caught me off guard.

Personally, I like a man who's hands look and feel a bit rough. I don't care much for a man who's hands are softer than mine. Well, considering the fact that this guy got a MANicure and I didn't, chances are that his hands were softer...at least today.

Once he was done, he slipped on his sandals, paid the lady, and headed out the door to his big ol' Chevy Silverado. O.o

Yep.

So, Let the DIALOGUE begin: MEN...do you get MANicures & pedicures? If not, why? And if so, why?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Gettin' Hungry?

This year for my birthday (which by the way was 13 days ago), one of the gifts that I received was a gift card to my FAVORITE restaurant, The Stinking Rose.

Today, I used the card and enjoyed a FABULOUS meal. I mean really, ANYTHING with GARLIC is destined to taste DEE-LISH!

GARLIC is most definitely one of my favorite things to eat, and I have seven more foods that rank pretty high up there too. So...you guessed it...I'm gonna list them here.

AVOCADO. Simply delicious. Sometimes I eat avocado by itself with just a little S&P. Othertimes, I have it in salad or with tacos, enchiladas, and let's not forget GUACAMOLE. YUM!!!

ARTICHOKE. I love it marinated and added to salads. Really love it as a warm dip. And with melted butter...oh my! YUM again!!!

CRAB. Although breaking crab legs open is a bit more work than I like to do for my food, once those bad boys are cracked and that LONG piece of leg meat comes out...all that work is worth it. Dipped in cocktail sauce, or melted butter. Ooh wee!!! Then there's crab dip, and crab cakes. Shut yo' mouth!!!

DARK CHOCOLATE. Oh, there are many things I could say about this one, but I'm gonna keep it clean. I will say that I used to HATE dark chocolate. Thought it tasted bitter. Now, I LOVE dark chocolate (with all of its antioxidants) and when I eat milk chocolate now it tastes like I'm eating straight sugar...YUK. So yeah, two thumbs up for dark chocolate.

GARLIC. I just can't say enough about garlic. Interestingly, I didn't discover garlic until I was an adult living on my own. Growing up, my parents NEVER used garlic. At least not fresh garlic. Maybe garlic salt or garlic powder...maybe, but that's a BIG maybe. I remember tasting it in food for the first time and wondering what it was in the food that was making it taste SO DARNED GOOD. I found out that it was garlic and began cooking with it. I use it in practically EVERYTHING that I cook. Baked dishes, sauteed dishes, soups, stews...pretty much everything except for sweet dishes. Oh, and I eat LOTS. So I'm sure that I reek! But of course, you know the rule about funky folks...they can never smell their own funk. So although I am 100% positive that I reek of garlic most days, my kids are the only ones who straight out tell me, "Mom...you STINK!!!" To which I reply, "I may stink, but I'm NEVER sick. When was the last time I had a cold or flu???" Crickets. Their answer is always the same, "You don't get sick." EXACTLY! They're never sick either. Why??? Because momma loads them up with garlic. Thank you very much! So yeah...garlic...yeah.

KALE. This is another food that I discovered as an adult. Four years ago to be exact when I was diagnosed with my "special" retina issues. My retina specialist was HORRIBLE and basically told me that I would eventually lose my eyesight. Yeah...that was a pretty heavy blow. So in a panic, I ask what can be done to keep that from happening. His non-caring answer was, "nothing". Gee...thanks for nothing. So, I began researching on my own. First of all, I am a woman of faith and I believe that the same God Who made these eyes will sustain the vision in these eyes. So, PRAYER was the first order of the day (and still is...EVERYDAY.) Then I began reading about the benefits of dark leafy greens and KALE was at the top of the list. I tried it in salads but didn't care for it very much that way. Then...I started roasting it. BINGO! I pretty much eat roasted kale every night now. Layer it on a cooking sheet, drizzle with a dab of "EVOO" and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Pop it in the oven til it gets crispy and ENJOY. So good!!!

PERSIMMONS. Yep...another adult discovery. I had my first persimmon two years ago and FELL IN LOVE! Where had this amazingly delicious fruit been all my life. I couldn't get enough of 'em. And since I discovered them toward the end of their season, there weren't many left...so I rationed them. Yes...that's how good they are. Difficult to explain their flavor so I would just have to encourage you to try one when they're in season again (usually around November-ish).

So there you have it folks. My seven FAVORITE foods. If you've been following the blog, you know that I ALWAYS do things in sevens. That's just my number.

Now...Let the DIALOGUE begin: What is YOUR favorite food. You don't have to list seven but it sure would make me happy if you would at LEAST list one (so I don't feel like I'm just talking to myself).

Talk to me!

Til next time...

One Word

It was a blistering cold December day.

Shoppers were out en masse and sounds of the season could be heard everywhere.

Joel said goodnight to his coworkers and headed to his car in preparation for a hurried trip to the post office. He had to get there before it closed as today was the last day that he could mail his packages so that his 3 year old daughter Adria, and 4 year old son Zavier would receive them in time.

This Christmas was so very special to Joel. It was the first time he’d ever been able to get gifts for them.

As much as he’d always wanted to, being in and out of jobs (mostly out) he just never had the financial means to do so. He was always just a young cat tryn’ta make it. This time was different.

He’d had a steady (legal) job for 6 months now. He was 30 years old and on the right track, finally.

So off he headed to the post office. Dodging in and out of traffic. Hoping that the signals would work in his favor. He HAD to get these gifts mailed. They HAD to arrive on time so that his babies would have “gifts from Daddy” to open on Christmas morning. And so that he wouldn’t have to hear Julia’s mouth telling him that he’s a "no-good father" that their kids could never count on.

True, those words may have accurately described the “old” Joel, but his life had since turned around. He had done a complete 180 from who he used to be.

Even though Joel knew that he and Julia would never be a couple again, he knew that it was still important for her to see him as a good father to their two children.

When Joel and Julia were together things didn’t go too well.

Joel had trust issues as a result of his mother abandoning him when he was 5 years old. She dropped him off at school one day and never picked him up, nor did she ever come home again. His mom was just GONE. Because of that, he was unable to trust Julia (or any other woman he had ever dated). In his mind, they ALL leave eventually. Without word or warning, they ALL simple LEAVE. At least that’s what he thought.

The lack of trust was too much for Julia so in some ironic twist of fate, Joel was actually right…she left. She had to.

Finally, Joel arrived at the post office. Unloaded the wrapped gifts from the car, made his way inside and stepped into the crowded…almost non-moving line. Without thinking, he began humming along to the music being piped in from the speakers…this was his favorite song when he a little boy. Without even realizing it…

***

Colleen checked her watch. She was so relieved that she made it to the post office on time. Ten minutes more and the doors would’ve been closed.

She had to make it so that she could get her granddaughter’s gift in the mail so that it would arrive in time for Christmas. Sure, little Lena was only a year old and was clueless about Christmas and presents, but this was important to Colleen, and to Carina, Lena’s mommy, Colleen’s 24 year old daughter.

Colleen was 26 when she had Carina. As mother and daughter they had a very close bond. As a child Carina often thought her mother to be too “clingy” and a woman of many secrets. Over time she accepted the fact that this was just how her mother was. It was easier that way. Whenever Carina questioned Colleen, a sadness came over Colleen that would sometimes take weeks to fade away. So, Carina stopped asking.

Colleen scooped the gifts out of the car and made her way into the post office, finding a spot at the very end of the line. That was alright. At least she was IN line.

While she waited, she found herself humming along to the tune that was playing through the speakers. The song hit her like a wave. Instantly, so did the sadness.

It was a song that she used to sing to her son when he was a little boy. It was his favorite.

One lone tear rolled down her face.

As the line coiled and she inched her way through she spotted something. As the lone tear trickled down her face the man passing by on her left also in line, had a lone tear trickling down his face.

She almost dropped her boxes.

She wanted to get out of line but couldn’t.

She stood there…frozen.

He hadn’t seen her yet and she was hoping he wouldn’t.

Too late.

His eyes locked right in on hers.

Could it be?

It was.

What should he say?

Should he say anything?

How does one ask 25 years worth of questions while standing in line at the post office?

Joel could only get one word out, “Mom?”

***

Let the DIALOGUE begin! Today's post was in response to the following creative writing prompt: An estranged mother and son who haven't seen or spoken to each other in more than twenty years meet in line at the post office in December, arms full of packages to be mailed. What do they say to each other?

What do YOU think they say to each other?

Talk to me!

Til next time...