Happy Friday!

Good/great morning!!! Woke up this morning feeling like Diddy! Not because I'm rich, but because I feel like "GREATNESS" and my confidence is through the roof right now. And who do you know in the world  more confident than Diddy?  Not quite sure where this is coming from since I got very little sleep, but I'll take it. Too bad I can't think of any Diddy verses right now or else I'll quote one. Nah, that might be a good thing! Anyway, have a great day folks and know that anything is possible if you BELIEVE!!

Time For A Change!!

I'm feeling like it's time for a change in my life. I want a new look, new career, new environment and of course a man! (tee hee) Tired of the same short hairstyle. I think I want to let the top grow out and do something funky with it, but as soon as it grow, I'll start to feel old and cut it off again.

I'm also feeling like I want to leave Charlotte. I've been here all of my life and I want to try somewhere differerent. Something new. Something refreshing. Most of my family (all of the family that I'm close with) is here in Charlotte, so it's scary to move to a city where I'll have no support. Waiting for a knight in shining armor to come sweep me off my feet :0)

I've been at my job for close the 13 years and I'm starting to crave a new career as well. I feel like I want to do something creative! If I could work for free, I would do a number of things. Perhaps some sort of non-profit business to empower and help women. I would also love to own a chic/funky consignment store.

Change is risky, yet good. I'm constantly being reminded that anything worth having requires a risk. Now, I guess all I have to do is stop being scared and get to moving!!

Love My Lay It On Thick Lotion

There are some things that I will share with my kids and there are things that they had better not place their paws on. My True Blue Lay It On Thick is one of them. This is my favorite body cream from Bath & Body Works......Actually from anywhere! It's thick and creamy and has a coconut-y smell. And surprisingly it blends well with any perfume that I wear. Need a thick and creamy lotion that lasts all day? You should try lay it on thick. Get a small one for $15 or a large one for $20!

Great Website On Sickle Cell Anemia

Found an excellent website on education of Sickle Cell Anemia. This is great for new parents of kids born with sickle cell. Pass the word on to those that could use this information.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sickle-cell-anaemia/Pages/Treatment.aspx

AIDS Walk Charlotte 2010 Coming This Saturday!!!

AIDS Walk Charlotte is here!! In just five short days, we will be walking the streets of the Historic Fourth Ward in Charlotte, NC to show our support for those living with HIV/AIDS and for those who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. There will be over 2,000 people walking!

If you are interested in joining my walking team (Fabulous In 2010) please go here and get registered. http://www.aidswalkcharlotte.org/fabulousin2010. It's best to be registered prior to the event to eliminate the time spent getting registered on the day of the event. Our donation goal is only $200. We're only at $70, so we need to collect more money....and quickly! You can donate online (at the site above) or you can bring money on the day of the walk. Ask your friends and family to support the cause as well!! 

On Saturday, May 1st, we will meet up at the Gateway Village Atrium located at 800 W. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC

Schedule of Events

8:00 am Registration

9:30 am Program

10:00 am Walk

11:00 am Closing and Awards

Final Note-All participants of the walk are also encouraged to bring ONE of the household items listed below. Only ONE! That's not a lot to ask! These products will be donated to clients of the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN)

Laundry Detergent, Dish Soap, Clorox, Toilet Paper, Multipurpose Cleaner, Feminine Hygiene Products,
Paper Towels, Shaving Cream, Gel & Razors, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Shampoo

Okay folks, it's time to show what we're made of. Let's get registered. And be sure to invite your family and friends. Even if you can't walk, you can donate just a few dollars!!

One of my favorite beauty blogs for brownskin girls. Please check it out.

http://www.brownbombshellbeauty.com/

Morning Laugh

I wore open toe shoes this morning and my co-worker (an older woman) told me that it wasn't time to wear open toe shoes (although she's wearing sling backs) because it's not summer yet! She said that she wouldn't start wearing open toe shoes until May or June. So my opinion is that if it's warm enough to wear them, who says I have to wait until it's officially summer? Also, if you can wear sling backs (with the back of your feet out) why can't you wear open toe shoes or sandals (with the front of your feet out)? We had a whole discussion around this issue and funny enough, it wasn't our first! What is your opinion?

Losing Weight

Why is it that people who claim to want to lose weight, stay doing things that won't help them lose weight? Like, talking about it every five minutes, taking the elevator instead of the stairs, fighting for that closest parking lot instead of parking in the back and walking towards the building, and eating foods that they KNOW they shouldn't have?

I know it's none of my business, but it aggrivates me. The next time someone comes to me talking about losing weight and I see any of this foolishness, I'm gonna say "quit lying". Seriously!

Two Sides To A Coin

Two Sides to a Coin

If in this moment you are overwhelmed, stressed out, angry, anxious, or scared, I need for you to get a coin. That’s right, pick up a dime, penny, nickel or quarter and look at it. Turn it to the “tails” side. All right, this is the negative side of the coin. Aloud, identify everything that’s wrong with your situation. “The kids are acting crazy…There’s not enough money…Creditors are calling me…My job sucks….”

Looking at the “tails” side of a situation will put you in a tailspin. But, if you flip the coin over to “heads,” you find a completely different side of the same coin. What’s on that side? Yes, your kids are acting crazy, but isn’t a blessing to have them? An infertile woman would give her life for your babies. There might not be enough money in your account to cover your expenses, but when has God ever failed you? How many meals have you missed? How many times have you ever gone without transportation or shelter? And, yes, the creditors are calling you, but that’s their job to do. It doesn’t have to overwhelm you. Bless God for the fact that you have a phone! And, the job that sucks to you pays your bills and keeps you out of the unemployment line. Some things are blessings in disguise!

Every day of your life you get to choose whether you will be ahead or in a tailspin. You get to choose what side of the coin determines the outcome of your day, your life. No one can flip the coin over but you. In everything, there is a reason to bless the Lord. And, putting yourself in a position to bless God puts you in a position to continue to receive His blessings.

Where did I find this? Find out here: http://latonyamason.net/aboutus.aspx

Happy Monday

Hoping that today is a good day. I lounged around most of the weekend. I haven't had much energy. Need to get a new bottle of multi-vitamins. I hope everyone enjoy their day! Do something nice for someone!

I attended church today with my friend Tosha. She is a member at New Birth Charlotte under Bishop Terrell Murphy. I had a great time in church today. I love what the church is doing in the Huntersville and Charlotte communities. They honored four teachers from Charlotte area schools today (Bradley middle, Bailey Middle, Ranson Middle and J.M. Alexander) for their Teacher Of The Year initiative. Students in each school were asked to write an essay explaining how a teacher had touched their life and why the teacher deserved this award. The selected students attended service today and took part in awarding the teachers with a check for $2,000.00!! This was an awesome way to award teachers for their hard work especially with threats of teacher job cuts within Mecklenburg county. It's great to know that there are still good teachers out there! I was also pleased with how Bishop Murphy encouraged everyone to use their gifts to bring glory to Jesus and to learn how to connect what we do (our gifts) to the kingdom of God by helping out in the community, in the church, etc.) Again, I really enjoyed the service today. The church family welcomed everyone with smiles and warm hugs. I felt very comfortable (even sitting on the third row). My son said he enjoyed it and wants to go back, so we will be visiting again in the near future.

Be The Real You (Ralph Marston)

I absolutley love Ralph Marston's message for today. As women, we are constantly striving to look a certain way, to be a certain size and perhaps to reach a goal or dream that isn't sincerely our own. I cannot stress the importance of being our true selves. It is definitely a work in progress, but the beauty of it is that it's authentic. WE are authentic.

Be the real you


Let life know who you are. If you have to hide yourself to get what you want, do you really even want it?

And while you're at it, make sure you let yourself know who you are. Be absolutely honest and authentic, especially with yourself.
It's easy to get what you want from life. The real difficult and essential work is figuring out what that is.

If you think it might be nice, that's not enough. If it looks good on somebody else, that's not enough.
What you truly want is what you dearly love. It is something that uniquely and elegantly expresses the real, live, passionate person you are.

You cannot find that or follow it by pretending to be who you're not. Be the real you, all the time, and joyfully feel the flow of your own great abundance.


-- Ralph Marston

Zara

My girlfriend, Tosha and I took a quick road trip to Georgia on Saturday night and drove right back on Sunday. The purpose of our trip? Zara's clothing! Yes, we drove to Atlanta to go shopping. Not to mention,the time spent with my best friend is priceless. We hardly ever get time to ourselves, so this is our BFF time to catch up on our lives and the foolishness that goes on in the world.

Now, back to Zara's We don't have a Zara's here in Charlotte and Atlanta has the closest locations (Perimeter and Lennox malls) Zara's clothes are chic and affordable. If you love current, yet classic fashions, you'll love Zara's. And they always have sales. We've never visted Zara's and walked out empty handed. It's definitely worth the drive.

We also stopped by the Little Five Point's shopping district. They had some really cool consignment shops. We'll have to stop in a few of those next time.

Oops, forgot to mention our favorite place to eat! Pappadeux's Seafood Kitchen. Be sure to check that out the next time you're in Georgia. The food is the best. My recommendation? Try their Lobster Bisque soup!

You can check out their website at http://www.zara.com/

The Ideal Time

Good morning and Happy Monday. The message below was written by Ralph Marston. It is a very powerful message. Please take a moment to read.

If you wait for the ideal situation, it will never come. If you create the ideal situation, it will always be, whenever you choose for it to be.


There are plenty of excuses you can make for why this is not the time to act. And while you're busy making those excuses, someone else is busy taking those same actions that you are merely considering.

The time is right when you make it right. Waiting and hoping for things to get better will just allow things to get worse.

If it's important to you, figure out a way to get started on it now. Because the more you delay, the more you're telling yourself that it's really not that important.

Why would you want to spend your time setting yourself up for disappointment? Instead, you can spend that time marching steadily toward your goals.


The ideal time is when you make it, and what you make it. Make it now, and make it great.
-- Ralph Marston

You can find other inspirational messages daily at:
http://greatday.com/motivate/index.html#ixzz0ktBxCVwZ