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

Tips on Saving Money

One of my biggest challenges in life has always been saving money and preparing for emergencies. This is still a challenge for me, yet I am working hard at it. I found a great article that provided some tips on saving over at blackenterprise.com. The article was written by Keesa Schreame. Check it out:

http://www.blackenterprise.com/personal-finance/2010/03/16/six-ways-to-save/

Communicating With Our Children. Why It's So Important

As a parent, I've learned that communicating effectively with our children is important and it varies for each child. My mother was a yeller and I've learned that so am I. I've also learned that yelling is not very effective. 1., it's offensive (I hated to be yelled at as a child), 2. it doesn't necessarily guarantee results and 3. it damages the trust value between the parent and child. Johanna Sorrentino, wrote an article titled "The Art Of Communication". This article provides really good tips on how parents can be effective at communicating with their children and getting desired results.

This is a really good article for parents of teenagers. I have definitely taken pointers on how to become more effective with communication with my own teenager.

Here are a few quick pointers in the article, but I suggest you read it in its entirety.

1. Teens don't want to hear "No." They would rather hear other options that lead to "YES"
2. Criticsm damages your teens self esteem
3. Don't lecture. It's not effective
4. Have family meetings where everyone has an opportunity to share their feelings
5. Work to build trust with your teen by really listening to him or her

http://www.education.com/magazine/article/power_struggles_high_school/

Still Standing

If you haven't alredy done so, please go out and pick up Monica's new album "Still Standing"! It is awesome! There are 10 tracks. I can truly say that this is an album that I can listen to from beginning to end. Go support Monica yall!

AIDS Walk Charlotte 2010

As a reminder, AIDS Walk Charlotte, 2010 is taking place on Saturday, May 1st. For those of you interested in walking with you, you can join my team by going to http://www.aidswalkcharlotte2010.org/fabulousin2010! YES, the name of my team is Fabulous in 2010!!!

My New Favorite Beauty Product (Mat Velvet by Make Up For Ever)

A few weeks ago, I went to the mall to replenish my Prescriptives foundation only to find out that Prescriptives was no longer in business (at least not at the malls.) I don't know the full details of whether company completely folded or not. All I know is that you can't get their products in any of the malls in Charlotte, N.C. any longer.

I shared my disappointment with a friend who told me about her recent experience with Make Up For Ever's Mat Velvet Matifying Foundation!!!! Let her tell it, this make up made her looked airbrushed! After testing for the perfect match (that's another story) I've found my new favorite beauty product!!!! This foundation is great so far. It has staying power, it really IS a mat foundation, it covers my blemishes, but doesn't look caked on like some well known beauty products and most of all, it's OIL FREE. Just what I need!

My only dissapointment is that there is no perfect shade for me so I had to purchase two different shades. Color match 80 is a little dark for me (but will probably work perfectly in the summer) while color match 75 is too light. So basically, I have to mix the two together to get a perfect match (See my pics below). But hey I guess it pays to look fab!! I also purchased the translucent powder which adds a flawless finish while absorbing the oils in my face. Okay ladies, what's your new favorite beauty product?

Well the weekend is over. Back to another work week. Not having a fabulous Monday! I need some encouragement. Nothing is really wrong, just in a stinky mood! Don't like when I feel this way because usually someone else will feel it too! :(. All it takes is for one of my co-workers to rub me the wrong way. If anyone has any encouraging words, please send them my way. I could really use them today!

My weekend was somewhat stressful. My dog got really sick and had to be hospitalized Friday night. She's home and is much better now. I had to kick out a pretty penny for the hospital care. Any hoot, I'm glad she's better!!! Sunday was spent with the kids and some of my younger cousins. I really enjoyed them, now back to another work week.

Happy Friday!!

Today is a beautiful day and I feel beautiful right along with it.....for no apparent reason at all!! LOL. Honey, sometimes, we have to convince ourselves of what we really want to believe!!

I hope everyone have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend. Be sure to do something nice for someone today........even if they don't deserve it. It will make you feel good!!!!

AIDS Walk Charlotte 2010

Okay fabulous people! Put your walking shoes on and let's do this! Power 98, Kiss 95.1 and Rosedale is sponsoring the 2010 AIDS Walk Charlotte! The walk is scheduled to take place on May 1, 2010. This is a 2 mile walk through our Historic Fourth Ward Community. I am walking in memory of a very special loved one!

For more information and to join the walk, please click here: http://www.aidswalkcharlotte.org/ For those that can't walk, you can still make a donation to show your support.

If anyone is interested in building a team to walk together, please let me know in comments. I'll definitely work it out.

AIDS Walk Charlotte 2010

Save This Date!!

The AIDS Awareness walk for Charlotte is scheduled for May 1, 2010.  I'll have more details for you shortly.

2010 Census Form

Good morning!!

Back at it again, ready to make it a great day! I just completed my census form and dropped it in the mailbox. Be sure to complete yours. Heard some talk on the radio this morning about how the form displays the race for African Americans. If you've completed your form, maybe you've noticed the section where it asks your race. One section states Black, African American, or Negro. Haven't seen Negro on anything in a while. What's your opinion about this? I'm not personally offended because I try to ignore nonsense, however others are offended (understandably). What do you think?

Also, I found this article about it on New York Daily News Website. Check it out.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2010/01/06/2010-01-06_census_negro_issue_use_of_word_on_forms_raises_hackles_memories_of_jim_crow.html

Do you!!!!

When you commit to something, there's always going to be challenges trying to keep you from your committment. There will always be someone telling you that it won't work or that it's not a smart decision. And there will always be a voice within telling you not to do it. IGNORE that voice and those people. Stand up to the challenges and committ to whatever it is that fulfills you. I know this for sure and I honestly have allowed that voice to dictate some of my decisions. I know that I am fabulous and so are you!! Get to moving and ignore that voice. It's NOT real. Do what you feel will fulfill your dreams and ultimately your life. As my friend always say, DO YOU!!!

Good morning fabulous people!!

I'm up and at it early this morning. It's beautiful day so far and a new opportunity for us to make it whatever we want it to be. I want to make it a good day! NO DRAMA! Spring is approaching and I'm definitely ready for it. Usually around this time, people start new diets and workout regimens. I've committed to eating better as well as bringing my own lunch to work. So far, I've done a good job (although it's only Tuesday LOL.)  I need to start back walking and working out. My schedule seems to be so busy, but I'll figure out a way to get it in because I can't wait to get into a springish, summerish dress! Okay ladies, what are some of your workout routines and eating regimens looking like? Please share how busy women/mothers can get a quick workout in without having to go to a gym?

Checking In!

Hi All! I've been away for a minute. Things have been crazy and somewhat stressful on my side. I apologize for the pause, but I'm back and ready to get back into the swing of things!! I missed Woman and Girls AIDS HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! Shame on me. I do apologize. I hope all is well and I'll get back to posting soon! Thanks to those that have checked on me! :0)