Threadin' Along

Mothers and Fathers

2012-02-02T12:37:00.001-08:00

Mothers and Fathers

Not because you give birth does not make you a mother and not because you are unable to care for you your child does not make you a bad mother.
Not only because you are a sperm donor, that makes you a father. And just because you are a sperm donor you are a father.

I grew up with my paternal grandmother, aunts and uncles with instruction from my father that if my mother shows up she could visit but she was not allowed to leave with me.
As I get older, I began to wonder why my mother never visit or write when she was living a stone throw away from me.
I started hearing stories of how she visited when I was a wee babe but as per my dad she was not allow to leave with me. However, I was still hurt that she was not in my life. For whatever reason my dad took me to his mom, my mom was angry and decided that she was going to stay out of my life.

Did that make her a bad mother? No, not in itself. When I was fifteen years I was introduced to her and instead of trying to connect with me she tried to destroy the relationship I had with my father. Did this make her a bad mother? As I grew older, it was clear to me that my mother did not love me as she did the others; she had no empathy for me. When I was in my late thirties I went to her to chat, mother to daughter and she started talking about my sisters. I was so hurt I screamed at her, I try to show her how I felt how she made me feel and asked her why she could not accept me just for me. She told me that she had asked God to forgive her and there was nothing she could do for me. That made a bad mother to me! I was hurting at that moment and she did not even try to help.

At this point in my life I did not want anything much from her, just for her to treat me as her child and she could not.
She became a foster mother and was very good at caring for those children, she even asked me for help sometimes (to wash their hair and such).

I have seen many men who took care of children that they did not fathered, and many abandon their own children.

Mothers and fathers are people who are care givers not only to their own flesh and blood children but to all children who are in need.
If you adopt a child and you love them, you are a parent, (mother/father), if you show love to your neighbor’s children you are a mother/father. I have three children, my youngest is twenty eight years old, and still today their schoolmates still calls me mom whenever they meet me in the street.

We could all be mothers and fathers, it’s in us but like a seed that is planted, it we don’t water it, it will not grow. It is up to us to take the gift that the Lord gave us and nurture.

Circumstances may come up and interferes with the natural order of life, but we have to decide who we are and what we want for ourselves and our children.

Looking back at 2011.

2012-01-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

2011 was a year with many blessings, some challenges and some pain.

My preemie granddaughter went home after three months in the hospital. I sold my house and bought my retirement home.

We had an earthquake in August and a blizzard in October.
The president had promised to bring home the troops and by the end of December he was making good on that promise. All out troops was out of Iraq.

However, my worst pain was to hear that someone that I love very much thinks that I don't or should I say didn't love them. I have done all I can, went to war and fight their battle, extend myself financially whenever I can and to hear those words, it was hard. However such is life.

I hope that 2012 will be as good a year for me and for YOU.
I have learned that one cannot have good without bad, sweet without bitter and happiness without sorry. We must take the good with the bad.

Moving ahead to see what is in store for this new year.

Moving on

2011-11-08T08:34:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I cried………….
This is the title of a self-help book I had attempted to read some years ago but got so lost I just put it on my bookshelf to read later.

I was talking to my younger daughter last evening and she was telling me some of what is going on in her father’s (my ex-husband) life. At the end of the conversation I said to her, the next time you talk to your father tell him that he is better off without her (his wife who had just walked out on him).

I said she was of no help to him even when he was sick and needed her, she was missing in action. Therefore move on with life knowing that now he has to fend for himself and not waiting for her to cook his meal or to do whatever a wife does.

My daughter said to me, “I did not expect to hear that from you”, meaning she thought I would be glad for the situation he was in. I told her even though I was hurt and disappointed at the way things turned out for us and all the pain he had put me through, I wish him no harm.
I would never reconcile with him again, he is my past but he is still a person and I have to live with me. I cannot spend the rest of my life being so angry at those who have done me wrong. I will not get pulled back in their mess or let it bough me down.

YESTERDAY I CRIED…….BUT TODAY I AM LAUGHING, not at those who has done me wrong, but for the joy that I have found in letting go of all that stuff.

"thank you" and "You're welcome"

2011-11-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

I grew up in the country in Jamaica and was not accustom to certain things as those who grow up in the big city.

“You’re welcome”, is one of those phase that I never heard until I went to boarding school at the age of fifteen. My principal was a very big English woman (Mrs. Robinson). She was very stern, and rightly so, she had to care for over one hundred and fifty girls from fifteen to eighteen years old, who lives on campus, some of whom has never left home before.

From the first day of orientation she let you know what was expected of you, and saying you are welcome was one of those things. You just don’t ignore a person when the say “thank you”.

But what does it means to say to someone “you’re welcome”? This is what I have come up with; Saying you’re welcome means, I am glad I was able to help, it was no problem, it pleases me to be able to help you, I was happy to be of service, and I am here whenever you needs me.

Today it is one of the phase that I use quite often and with pleasure. One of my many duties is to collect payment from customers and sometimes I have to extend to them a little time for them to make payment and they are always appreciative and say “thank you” (not all customers are like that, some take it for granted that I have no choice but to give them the time). So when I say you’re welcome, I mean, I am glad I was able to give them the time they need and that our company will still continue to service their business
although they are a little behind on making payment.

A lot of times I don’t have to make a second phone call, they call and keep me up to date on when payment is coming, to which I say, thank you for letting me know and they say’ you’re welcome.

It is just courtesy.

Cell Phone Eitquette

2011-10-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am standing on line in the bank and the man behind me was on his phone, which may not have been a problem except for the fact that his phone was so loud I could hear the person at the other end of the phone.

If that was not bad enough, as the teller call “may I help you” to the next person on line, she gets on her phone, and while talking to the teller she kept yapping away on her phone.

All I am saying is, where is your manners? Does technology makes us so insensitive to our fellow human beings. Doesn’t the teller at the bank or any other person we are conducting business with deserve some respect? And some of us do not know how to speak softly on our phone out in public; therefore everyone around you is subjected to your conversation.

It is plain rude and disrespectful for you to be talking to someone in a place of business while yapping on your phone especially if your phone conversation as nothing to do with the person that is standing in front of you and is talking to you.

Call me old fashion, but I think that when we walk into a place of business (at the bank, in the post office, at the doctor’s office or wherever) we should put our cell phone away until we have finish our business. It is not right for someone to keep repeating themselves because we have no manners.

When we give respect, we will get respect in return and everyone can finish with their business that much faster.

Women, stand up for each other!

2011-08-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

It is said that New Yorkers mind their own business and don’t get in valve, but in light of what been going on in the news lately I am glad that that statement is not always true.

On my way to work this morning two people came on the train, a male and a younger female and they look as if they had nothing in common.

Another female passenger notice that the man’s behavior was a little inappropriate for two strangers, she quietly asked the young lady if she knew the person standing behind her. She answered that she did, however, instead of the man being happy that someone was there to make sure that his female partner is ok, he got an attitude.

I for one was glad to know that women still look out for each other. If the situation was different she could have had the help she needed right there on the train.

In the last few months, we have seen in the news where an older man take his partner on vacation and now she is missing, a drunk NYC police officer dragged a teacher behind a building and raped her, and the case that the NYC DA’s office just dismissed. All these are signs that we have to stand up for each other when we see something that makes us uncomfortable.

Remember the next time it could be us……..What I am saying is, if you see something, without putting yourself in danger, PLEASE! Say something.

Why am I on trial?.......I'm the victim

2011-08-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Every morning for the last month I listen to the news and I wonder why when a woman is sexually assaulted, they are the ones that go on trial.

For centuries women have been raped and are forced to live with the injustice for fear of being put on trial as is the case now.

The only question should be, did the assault actually take place? And once the doctors have proof and there are DNA evidence, almost everything else should be irrelevant. Women have the right to say who they will or will not be intimate with and when she says no that should be enough….FULL STOP, PEROID, NO QUESTION.

Because a person is poor, does not give anyone the right to abuse them. One’s past should have nothing to do with the fact that they were assaulted and is seeking justice. If the DA’s office throw out this case, what it is saying is that unless your life is squeaky clean, with no transgression in your past or have millions of dollars you are fair game to be assaulted.

So the question now is, How many of us can say there is nothing in our past we wish to erase? I will tell you, None. The good book says “None is righteous, No not one”.

There are hundreds if not thousands of women who have been raped and we never hear about it because they are afraid of their lives being torn apart.

When are men going to realize that women should be honored for their part in the circle of life? Women are the nurturer, the caregivers.

Wealth, power or a person status in life should not determine who gets justice and who does not……..!

Teaching and Sharing by Blogging..........Thank you

2011-08-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, Since I start blogging I have learned a lot, met a few interesting people and visit a few places I have never been. I am not a writer but sometimes I like putting my thoughts in words and share a little of my views.

I have met a special lady on blogspot, she somestime makes me laugh and sometimes makes me cry. I have learned so much from her. She gives it to you raw, no sugar coating which is what we need sometimes.

I just want to tell her to keep doing what she is doing because she has inspired me and I know she has inspired others as well.

I look forward to her post every day even if I don't have time to make a comment. She has shared so much of herself, and sometimes people asked her how could she put so much of her personal stuff on her blog and she always answer with such grace.

In her sharing she as helped so many women who can learn from what she has experienced in life. Sometimes it is as if she is talking to me. So thank you for teaching and for sharing.

Even though we are from different cultures, we have so much of the same values.

I hope you will read this and know that this is your platform from which to help others.

Thank you and be blessed!!!

Crocheting.............

2011-07-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

Talented ..............or Not?

2011-07-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

Talented …….or Not!

The bible says that each and every one of us was given a certain amount of talent. Now it is up to us to use and develop our talent.

I started crocheting at about the age of nine. It was my escape, when I am crocheting the world could fall down around me and I would not know.

As I grow up, I go through spells where I would crochet nonstop anything you could think of, and then I would just stop. This is one of my dry spell, like a writer who would write so many good books and then one day …….nothing.

Within the last two weeks however I have gotten three signs from meeting people on the train crocheting something and tells me that I should go back to Pastor preaching and telling us to use our talents to help others, “even those who crochet should consider teaching others” when I listen to him in church, I was convinced that someone is telling me something.

I have made baby’s blankets, doilies, hats and scarves, embellished t-shirts, sweater, caplets, ponchos and bags just to name some of the things I have done.

For the coming Christmas season I am going to put out a new line for the home, a thirteen piece table set – 6 coasters and mats and one center piece, plus holiday slippers.

So, am I talented…………………., or not…………………….? We'll find out.

2011-05-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

The "F" Word

2011-04-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

How many time during the day have you heard the “F” word?
I remember many year ago working in a casual male dominated environment and without exaggerating every few minutes or so I would hear “ the f…ing, or what the f…, or mother f…ing” or some variation there of. It was used as a verb, an adverb, an adjective and sometimes even a noun.

I finally put a bank on my desk and whenever anyone uses that word they would have to put a dollar in the bank. It worked for a while until everyone start complaining about how much they were giving me and sometimes curse more. The boss eventually gave me my own cubicle away from all the cursing. Now I make sure any new employee that are hired knows without a doubt that no cursing is tolerated in the office.

These days I spend a lot of time on the buses and trains to and from work and the young people use the “f” word without prejudice. It makes me cringe sometimes when I hear the cussing and to see where it’s coming from. Young ladies thinks nothing of cussing in public, they thinks it’s cute but it’s not.

When I was growing up adults would actually put bar soap use for washing clothes in the mouths of kids who cures in front of an adult regardless if they were related or not. Some might say that’s harsh but it worked. Girls respect themselves more and the boys respect the girls and the adults always.

Freedom of speech is one thing, but one need to set standards for themselves.

Parent Abuse..........Children Abuse

2011-03-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

Too often I hear stories of adult children abusing their elderly parents and we all cry foul. But have we ever stopped to consider the reason why.

Some doctors say that abuse is a learned behavior, if that true, then parents who abuse their children will have abusive in their old age.

Most abusive parent never stops to realize that the seed they are sowing they will reap.
Imagine the following; you have three children, one could do no wrong,( even though he is the devil incarnate) second one is selfish and self-centered, the third just wants to be loved, but is treated like a doormat.

The parent visible mistreats and abuse one child, that child is forced to leave home at a young age and in some cases live in the abuse for a long time. Never get any encouragement or help but somehow they manage to build a life for themselves.

In the meantime mommy and daddy make no provision for their future while living life to the fullest, or illness and misfortune came to knock at their door.

Now mommy and daddy are in need of help. Favorite children are no where to be found (like their parent they are living life and have no place or time for anyone except themselves).

Abused, unloved, mistreated child is called in to help her parents that never take the time to say or do one kind thing to her.
Unable to say no, this child takes on the role of caregiver to her abusive parents, and the only way (at times) to maintain sanity is to repay in kind the treatment that was learned from her parents.

Let us all try to plant good seed so that when it comes time for reaping, we can reap good fruit.

Snow..............!!

2011-01-31T10:05:00.000-08:00

Snow………!!

Four days after twenty inches of snow fell on top of twenty two inches that seems as if only days ago ( December 25th) some neighborhoods are still covered with the white stuff. Four lane streets are down to two lanes and two lanes are down to one. Cars are still buried and sidewalks are still covered.

On my way home on Saturday I past a home with the car in the driveway and as I looked around there were about three feet of the white stuff all along the front of the house. All I could think was, they have their work cut out for them. One may think that three feet is not much, but when you have snow pack street with no place for more and you have to clear enough to get a car through, it’s not only a lot but hard work.

That is why sometimes I choose to walk in the street because the sidewalks are not always clear all the way.
I could be walking and thinking that the sidewalk is clear all the way and then you realize that you now have to climb a two or three feet high snowbank because whoever clear that area did not cut a path through the snow and now I am at a snow dead end. I also came upon a sidewalk that is blocked with a car, it’s owner just clear his driveway and park his car so that you climb into the snowbank or turn back to a clear path to the street to go around the car. When you look at the condition in the streets, one would think that we would be more considerate of each other.

When I clean, I always clean to meet my neighbor so that we don’t have a snow dead end. It does not take much, just a few more shovel full and you’re done, trust me, I’ve done it.

The major had said that this is a record breaker for January in NYC for the amount of snow that fall.
There is still snow on the ground, and it’s still icy so …..Be Careful.

It's Me..........

2011-01-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

How many times have you answer the phone are listen to v-mail and Hello mother/father etc and hear a too familiar voice say, 'it's me" without leaving their name. Or you calling someone and say 'it's me" without giving your name. I think we are all guilty of this at one time or the other.
This weekend I got just such a voice mail from one of my daughters, "Hi mother, it's me" then proceed to leave her message without leaving her name assuming that I know her voice.

If we assume that the person we are calling recognizes our voice and will know who we are, why then do we say "it's me" and not leave our name.

I sometimes say, it's your mother or to my mother I say " it's your first born child". There is no doubt as to who I am, she can only have one first born or my child can have only one mother.

If we need to affirm who we are why not say, hello, it's Mary or Bob.

Almost everyone in my life have their own distinct voices (except for my son and grandson), I will never mistook their voice for someone else. So just to let you all know I got you at "Hello"

Travel and Security......

2010-11-18T13:39:00.000-08:00

We all want to feel safe when we travel, right? So why is the news that there will be tougher screening at the airport including patting down is met with such reluctance.
The TSA is not out to get everyone who is traveling, just the ones that should no be.

Since 911 I have traveled some and it never takes me more the three to five minutes to go through the gate once I get there. I know what not to bring with me on the plane and so those items get in my check luggage or left at home. I also wear light clothing and am ready to take my shoes off. When I travel in the winter I have my socks on.

All beeping items I put in the bowl then go through the scanner with ID in hand. If a bra hock or a pant/skirt hock goes off, no worries a wave of their wand or a pat here or there and I am done. I pick up my stuff and I am on my way.

When we create excitement at the gate, we also create an opportunity where the wrong person can slip by when too much attention is on us.

We must remember that most of the security personnel are as uncomfortable as we are but when we cooperate with them they are able to do their job more efficiently.
If we do our part by following the rules, be patient and give ourselves enough time everyone will get through the process that much faster.

We should all try to do our part, no matter how small to make our country a safer place for all.

As the holiday season begin, travel safe, and travel smart.

Politics

2010-11-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

Mid Term…….Losses/Gains

We are a people of instant gratification.

After a bankrupted housing market, a banking industry in a state of free fall, thousands out of work, a war no one wants and an economy in the state of shock, the American people expected that president Obama would go into the White House and overnight fix all the problems that took years to break.

He is one man fighting a battle that very few want him to win.
How many past presidents promised to fix healthcare and has failed? Not saying it is now perfect, but it is at a place where it can be worked on, fine tuned, if you will.

They all said he put too much into the stimulus package that did not really help much, at lease he is trying to do something.

The quote, “if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem” comes into play. Everybody criticize him but no one have an idea or suggestion of how to make things better.

As far as I see it, our government is not working as a team to bring us out of the pit we are in, all they are doing is making promises, pointing finger, and playing the blame game.

Everyone wants the country out of this economic slump overnight, but no one is willing to work to that end.

Two years ago we were willing to give Mr. Obama a chance, but because he as not pulled out his magic wand and clean thing up we are ready to call for change…It will take any newly elected president more than two years to clean up the mess that started in Washington years ago, from over spending to corruption.

What we need in Washington is a new set of Politician whose agenda is the welfare of our country and not their personal gain.

Loss or gain?......If we can’t wait for the medication to do its job, then it’s our loss and not Mr. Obama’s.

Local or Limited "stop"...........Bus

2010-10-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

On my way to and from work, there are two bus services that I can take;
The local, which stops at about 15 to 16 times or the limited that stops 7 times which is an eight to fifteen minutes different in travel time.

Sometimes when I get my bus stop a local will come by followed by a limited.
Other times the local will come and I will choose to wait for the limited even though I do not see it coming, sometimes it works but sometimes, like this morning it takes five to ten minutes to come.
By the time it comes (and sometimes it doesn’t stop because it is crowded) if I had taken the local that came first I would have gotten to the train that much sooner.

So, local or limited bus……….?

New York subway experience

2010-09-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Well if you live in the New York metro area, you will at some point travel on the subway.

I have been traveling on these subways for over twenty seven years and everyday is a new experience.
I have been sexually assaulted, attacked by a mentally challenged woman, I have pushed, stepped on entertained by the kids with their “Break dancing” and several other performers, singers, puppeteers, balloons artists, just to mention a few. Let’s not forget, I have been preach to, yes, church on the train.

I have share seats with homeless persons, sometimes after I get off the train I can still smell their funk, people have used my shoulders as pillows, I gave money to the various panhandlers begging for one cause or the other.

I have been stuck in the subway due to flood, sick person on the train, broken switch,
Power outage or someone jump, fallen or was pushed in front of an oncoming train.

New York subways are sometimes like a fashion runway. You will see the latest fashions and also “What not to wear” on these trains.

I also have two experiences of the trains coming to a halt and had to walk across the bridge half way home, the first was September 11, 2001 after the WTC attack and the second was August 14th 2003 massive power outage across the US and Canada.

My partner took me to the train station one morning, and in the evening when he picked me up he said, “Babes, I don’t know how you did this for so long, I watch you go down in the subway and all I could think of is ants. You see them coming out and going in their holes in the ground all day long, just like you do everyday”. (90% of the subway is underground).

I am looking forward to the day when I will no longer have to go down into the subway, and with Gods help, that day will be very soon.

Respect........?

2010-09-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

Living on the first floor at a corner house with a very nice low brick fence means no sleep, lots of noise and disturbance until about 11:30 to 12 midnight every night.

Everyday I come home and there are at least 7 to ten kids sitting on the brick wall.
I would talk to them nicely and they would leave, but by the time I am ready for bed they are back with more kids. Mind you, none of them live there, they live anywhere from two to four blocks away.

They come to play in the yard and have no regards for who lives there. However they cannot have all those kids in their yards, their parents won't allow it.

These days children have no respect for adults, it doesn’t matter if they are right or wrong, as one boy told me after his friend is talking back to me and I told him to shut up, “You can’t tell kids to shut up” even if when they are trespassing in your space/property.

I remember being a child and I could not just enter people’s property and carry on, today parents don’t want their kids in the house carrying on so they let them loose to be disrespectful to neighbor.

Nine, ten and eleven year olds should be home at 10, 11pm at night.
When you train your children at a young age to respect others, they too will be respected.
I'm just saying..............

Who am I.........?

2010-08-05T09:04:00.000-07:00

Who am I…?

Since I am thinking seriously about selling my house so that I can purchase my retirement home, I find myself thinking about the things that I have collected over the years.

It is the hardest thing to part with any of those things. Why? I asked myself. Is it because those things, the decorative plates, the dolls and the knickknacks the children gave me are all part of who I am?

I don’t like clutter, but my “things” I cannot part with. Each piece signifies something, a place I’ve been or a turning point in my life, so every time I pick up a piece, I can say I remember when……..even the things that bring back bad memories.

Good and bad they are all parts of who Iam.

My children are now grown with lives of their own and I am still mommy, so I have all the school pictures, report cards, candles and mugs from graduations and proms.

I am a grandmother, and have a few grandma things.

I am African-American from Jamaica, so I have my Jamaican things, my African things and a few American things, so getting rid of any of them is like getting rid of part of me.

Aren’t I the same person, a mother, grandmother, Jamaican, Afro-American with or without those thing?
The truth is, I want my home to reflect at least part of who I am, so by having on display all my knickknacks, pictures and whatknots there will be a little part of me on display too.

So I will keep my knickknacks, and take them where I go, they will be added to yet another turning point in my life.

Fashionable or Trashy?

2010-07-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

I want to look as sexy as the next woman but I am not willing to sacrifice my self respect and be a laughing stack to get it.

You can be in with the latest fashion without looking trashy, or as if you are seeking attention, because some of the attention you get might not be what you are looking for.

Ladies, your underthings should not be on public display for all the world to see. Our underthings should be private. I know its summer and we are all hot but we don’t need to go out looking as if we don’t have a mirror at home.

One Sunday while sitting in church there were so many bra straps and cleavages hanging out that I had to wonder if we no longer have reverence to God, can’t we respect the house of the Lord?.

Then this morning while sitting on the train on my way to work, a young sister came on full figure with her EE cleavage self and thought she was so sexy. Well I was embarrassed for her, the lady sitting in front of her covered her face and three brothers could not stop looking at her talking and laughing at her. She did not look in the mirror before she leaves home and if she did well………..

All I am saying is you don’t have to be trashy or everyone’s joke to be sexy.

Roll Back Time

2010-07-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

How do you roll back time? You can't

There is no such thing as a time machine, therefore, "do all the good you can, to all the people you can, for as long as you can", and if you think you might have hurt someone try to make amends as soon as possible. Don't wait until years later.

Sometimes trying to go back in time to fix past hurt only revive something that has been put to rest a long time ago.

I had one such experience this week and I was so mad at the person I did not know what to do with myself. Even though she was trying to explain how she felt and why she made the choices she did, all I could see was how she had hurt me.

While it is good that you acknowledge some wrong you have done and wants to make amend, consider what bringing all that stuff back to the surface will do to the offended person.

So if you hurt someone and years later you develop a conscience and have the need to say I'm sorry, just send a card to say "I'm sorry for being a jerk last year, can you forgive me?" or something like that, don't go digging up things from the past because while you are downloading what's in your heart and is clearing your conscience the other person is being hurt all over again.
Don't try to make up for years of hurt, just say you are sorry and move on and if you can, just try to build a new relationship, because time is the best healer.

Missing Dad

2010-06-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

My dad past away December of 2006. I cried and mourned, then I thought I would ..get on with my life.
But there are times when it is so hard....to get on with my life and father's day is just one of those time.
He was not only my dad, but my mom also for a long time, When he died I became an orphan ( even though my mom is still alive). He was every thing to me and even as grown as I am I was still his little girl. He was the love of my life and on this father's day, I missed him soooo much.

There is a large hole in my heart that aches for him every now and then makes me a bit melancholy.
I am only sorry that my grown up self did not get to spent as much time with his as I should have.
So if you love someone, tell them, spent each moment as if its your last because when time ends, there is turning back the clock

Flowers

2010-06-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

For as long as I can remember, I love planting flowers and watching them grow.

Growing up in Jamaica, there was a long walk from the road up to the house and I was always planting flowers along the walk. When I got my first apartment I did not have any place to plant but that did not stop me. I had a large pothus plant on my dresser that I kept for years.

Now, there is no difference, I just cannot live without my plants. When I take care of them, they take care of me,........How? you ask...........while I am caring for my plants the calm my nerves and it is so satisfying to watch them grow. So even when I don't have place for a garden, I make room for pots. From my African Violets indoor to petunias, begonias, Joseph coat and others outdoor,

I will always enjoy my plants.

2010-06-05T19:13:00.001-07:00

It is so hot for June

2010-05-27T09:54:00.001-07:00

Test

2010-05-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

Scribbling/Doodling/Jounaling

2010-05-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

I'm not a loner by any means. I have my Friends and my children who I'm very close to; but there are some things that I don't or can't discuss with anyone so I write them down.

I was in a bad marriage for a long time and I think my children knew. Looking back I can truly say that scribbling has helped me to keep my sanity. There are times when I would just sit and write about how I was feeling, what I would like to see change, and how I wish my life was.

I never kept a journal because I did not want anyone to ever read what I wrote (sometimes I still got in trouble from my doodling) so I would write on whatever scrap of paper I had.

When my dad past away, I was having a really bad time and a friend (a Pastor) encouraged me to keep a journal and whenever I am having a bad moment or feel panic I should just start writing. I was surprise at some of the thing that came out in my writing, things that I was struggling with unconsciously. It has helped me to come to terms with some of the issues I was dealing with.

I still doodle/journal but not on a regular basis, I have a lot of positive people in my life.
But if you have something on your mind that you can't share with someone, doodle, writ it down and see what happens.

Reading: Goal

2010-05-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

My goal is 24 book for the year. I am sooooooooooo far behind.

Book #4 Patricia Anne Phillips, Maxine Thompson and Milcheel McGriff -Secret Lovers; Three beautiful stories

Book #5 Cheryl Robinson - In love with a younger man
Book# 6 Growing Friendship By Tracy Klehn is one of the book from my book club at church, It's about connecting more deeply with the people in your life who matters most. This one I will finish by the end of the week.

Even if I don't make my goal, I hope I'm real close to it.

TV - Cutting The Cord

2010-05-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

An online survey show that over 800,00 household in the US has cut the cord to cable and the high cost of watching television.

What is the addiction to TV drama? why so many people find it hard to cut the cord?

I grew up where TV watching was limited to Saturday and Sunday, and only for a few hours each day. The rest of the week no one even bother to look at tv, we are outside playing, reading, the girls crocheting, or doing embroidery on pillow cases or table covers(where did those days go).

Back then children learned social skills, they learn how to disagree and make up and how to get along with each other.

Today, if you ask ten people if they could cut the cord, nine would say no. Why are we so dependable on the media to entertain us when there are so many other things we can do that is so rewarding.

Plant a garden, flower, herbs or vegetable. Join a book club, or start one of your own, you can travel the world in books while socializing at club meetings.

Me I have cut the cord (by force) but I find that I have more time to read, to spend with my partner and is one less bill to pay each month.

Mother's Day

2010-05-07T08:43:00.001-07:00

Mothers are place on earth to nuture and care for everyone;
Mother Nature - cares for the earth's creatures, big and small, the plants and us human.

Human mothers- cares for the children, sometimes the elderly and anyone who are in need of motherly love.

So on Mother's day let us all be mindfull of how we treat our enviroment and be specially sweet to your mother.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS AND THE FATHERS WHO ARE FULLFILLING THAT ROLE.

Hollywood Deception Red Carpet Tour with Shelia Goss

2010-04-15T07:20:00.001-07:00

Hollywood Deception Red Carpet Tour with Shelia Goss

Posted using ShareThis

Love...Second chance

2010-04-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I have to wander why some people go through so much garbage to find the one person who will love them with all their faults.

I never thought that I would ever find love again after my divorce and was basically ready for just a companion or just be a loner (that would be fine for me, I would be able to go and come as I wish). But instead I was blessed with the most loving, giving and understanding man one can ever wish to meet. He is there for me in good times and bad, he makes me laugh almost every minute of the day (when I am with him).

He cooks, do laundry, does the dishes when I cook, and he does window too! Yes, he does all this with a smile. I so appreciate it because it gives us more time for us.

This man will have a PB & J sandwich or two for dinner and be just as happy as if he were having a steak.
He respects me and let me be myself, which is very refreshing for a change.

Hurts..........Not Only When I Laugh

2010-04-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

I saw a movie once where the wife found out in the end that he no good husband had left her for another man. In a confrontation with him she hurt herself. When her Friend asked her, does it hurts, she replied "Only when I laugh.

As I look at some of the decisions I have made over the years and the way I respond to family and friends and how I allow myself to be used I can truly say "I hurts... not only when I laugh".

I feel that I am almost always being taken for granted. I was told as a child that "you should seek a Friend before you need a Friend". A lot of people these days just seek a Friend when they need a friend, and is never a friend when someone else is in need. Just plain selfish.

I hurts to see all the people who asked for favors and then totally forget that I existed

20 Minute Vacation

2010-03-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

Do you ever think that you ca take a twenty minute vacation? Well you can.
Here is how:

This kids are off to school (if you have school age kids), so turn off your call phone, let the machine pick up the house phone and prepare to be relaxed for the next twenty minutes.

Put on your favorite lounge wear
Make something that you don't usually make, such as a tropical drink or a mugs of herdal tea (my favorite). Think of where you would like to be and find from your music collection a cd that remind you of that place.
Slip it in the cd player.
Now grab a magazine, your drink and find the most comfortable easy/lounge chair.

For the next twenty minutes do nothing except sip your drink, leaf through you magazine, listen to you music and let transport you to that paradise you are think of.

For twenty minutes do nothing but love you, trust me, you will want to do it again soon.

P.S. If you are at work, Just find a quite place to sit where you can tune out what's going on around you, and enjoy just being.

We still have snow

2010-02-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

It has been 9 days since we had ten inches of snow, the this Monday another three to six in some places, today is February 18th, with temperture in the high 30's and this is what the front of my house looks like. I am so tired of this cold weather.

What happens to global warming. It still too cold for the snow to melt.

Reading goal for 2010

2010-02-15T10:20:00.000-08:00

My goal for this year is to read 24 books, 2 per months which would be very easy if I was not involved in so many thing at church, However, I have started and I am on my third book which means I have 2 weeks to finish the one I am reading and one more.

Mrs Black .......... By Angelia Menchen
"Cininmon Brown made all the sacrifices to keep her family together but when her womanizing husband broke his promise one more time, it send her right into the arms of her Black Knight Malcam Black who has been waiting for her for thirty years".

Women's Writes...... An anthology.........By Angelia Menchen
Pride and Prejudice.....By Jane Austen ( not finish)

JC WALKER- 1st Black woman millionaire

2010-02-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

As February is Black History month and I have to research one black woman to present at church, I have chosen Madam C.J. Walker.

Here is a woman, born into slavery, orphaned by the age of 7, was forced to married at the age of 14 to escape abuse from her brother-in-law.

She had one daughter. And even making $1.50 per day she was still able to save enough so that her daughter could get an education.

In the 1890s, she developed a scalp ailment and experimented with many store bought and homemade remedies. In 1905 she founded her own company selling scalp conditioning and healing formula. She went door-to-door selling and demonstrating her scalp treatment.

She never let her poor beginning stand in her way.
She contributed to the "colored" YMCA and to the NAACP Anti-Lynching legislation, she encouraged women into political activism.

This is a Quote from the National Negro Business League Convention, July 1912.
"I am a woman who came from the cotton field of the south. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations.......I have built my own factory on my own ground"

My Daughter Writes

2010-02-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

I cannot remember I realize that my older daughter loves to write. All I remember is that from an earlt age she would write short stories and poems. I 1998 won a poetry contes for a poem title "Why Should I' with her permission I will share it.
Why Should I?
by Jennifer Nicole Coissiere
Why should I sacrifice myself,Just to please you?Why should I cheat on my guyFor a little bit of pleasure?Why should I let you,Charm your way into my life?My friends stand beside meMy man always guides meSo, why should I tell a lie?Why should I disguise myselfAnd, why should I take a chanceOn loosing everything,And getting nothing else?Why should I live a life of fantasyAnd why should I be a painting on the wall?When all I wanted was to be loved by all.

Since then she as written several poems and more short stories and a book I hope she will have publish soon. She calls herself a closet writer.

Her latest is contributing author in the anthology "Women's Writes" (piblished)

She is always sending me her stories to read and they always leave me wanting more. She has met this wonderful woman who has encouraged her and supports her, to her I would say "thank you"

Women's Writes can be found at Barnes and Noble...........It's a good read.

I've come a long way.

2010-01-29T12:27:00.000-08:00

I often reflect on my past and it sometimes bring tears to my eyes. My man tells me to let it go, and I think I have, but somehow there are some memories that are so painful even though I think I am at peace with them they makes me cry.

At the age of twelve my dad (the love of my life) brings home his young wife. Too young to be my mother, just nine years older, and too jealous to see that he can love both of us.

The first set of pain. I love my dad so much I let her win for his happiness.

At the age of fifteen, I met my birth mother for the first time and learn that not everyone that gives birth can be a mother. That year I also went away to boarding school.

At seventeen I was introduced to Jesus (our Lord and Saviour), that is where my real struggles begins. I was looking for something to replace the father that I gave up and he had his hands open saying come and rest, but I was too stubborn.

So I started my journey through life with little or no guide, or so I thought. I fell in love, had two babies and got married. (in that order)

In 1979 I migrated to the USA leaving behind my husband and my babies. Second set of pain.

I travelled some dark and lonely roads but the grace of God kept me going. I was reunited with my family in 1982 where instead of being happy my nightmare started.
Third set of pain.

I could do nothing to please my husband, so in 1984 I had my third and last child.

In 1995 I had to asked my husband to leave our home, and in 1997 I bought my first house for me and the girls. (my son had left home two years earlier)

I was still making bad choices. In 2006 I had my wake up call. Someone that I trust went into my home and stole all my jewlery except what I was wearing. In December of that same year my dad died. It broke my heart because no matter how far away I was, he was still my guy and our love connection was as strong as ever. Years after I left I found out that as far away as I was his wife was still jealous of his love for me.

With all my struggles, the Lord was always at my side even when I did not acknowledged him.

Today I am very happy. The Lord has placed this wonderful person in my life, he loves me and adore me and he loves my children. Now I am involved in my church and is taking baby steps toward a better relationship with God.

Thank the Lord for all my many blessings.

p.s. Through all my struggles I never had the desire to drink or to do drugs. The one thing I would want to do is sing, mostly gospel. Now I sings in a choir at church.

Haiti

2010-01-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

My daughter's in-laws are from Haiti, they have lost a few close friends and for a moment a aunt was missing. God be praised, she is found.

For all the people of Haiti, you are in my thoughts and prayers

Subway ride

2010-01-11T14:02:00.000-08:00

I know that the subway is a public form of transportation, but can we show some courtesy for each other.

Yes, the seats are made to fit three persons. But if you get on the train and your size is a little bit bigger than average, don't sit on the other person just because there is a space there, it might not be big enough for you. Wait until there is enough room for you to sit with sitting on someone.

I don't think the transit systems was considering the size of the average full figure woman when they were building these trains, because sometimes you have to get up and stand to be comfortable.

Especially in the winter when everyone is wearing one or two extra layers of clothing it is a very tight fit for three persons to sit on one seat.

The other thing that really gets to me is that people don't believe in cleaning their coats. My goodness! I don't know how someone can really gets up in the morning, take a shower, dressed in clean clothes and then put on a dirty smelly coat. Can you imagine the funk?

New Year Resolutions

2009-12-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

New Year resolutions. Why do we make them, when most are broken within a week or two of making them?

Yes, there are a few people who will make new year resolutions and stick with them but for the most part we don't'.

This year I am not going to make a resolution, I am going to challenge myself to be the best I can be for the new year. Stop spending unnecessarily, try to be more patient with others, and try to have a deeper spiritual connection with who I am.

I will try to work harder at getting where I want to be as a person and not let the little things or the past get in my way.

Blog About meeting new people

2009-12-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

Someone asked me what I blog about and my response was "everything and anything".

This morning a young man on the train while on my way to work. We talk a little about where we are from and what we do.

Not often we meet people just by chance who is willing to have a conversation with us knowing they may never see us again. I wonder why that is so?

We are all part of God's creation and we should not be afraid to communicate with each other, we can learn so much when we do.

I remember a long time ago my mother told me that white people (I am Afro-American)are as much afraid of us as we are of them because we don't know each other and no one wants to be the first to reach out.

So I am saying to all my blogging buddies out there, take the time to meet someone new today. You never know who you might run into.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

Happy thanksgiving to all and remember the less fortunate among us.

Disgust!

2009-11-03T10:01:00.000-08:00

Ladies! Ladies, Aren't you tired of looking down a young lady's butt? Well, I for one am.

Where did our femininity go?, from where I sit it looks like right down the toilet.

When did young ladies stop taking pride in the way they dress? They cannot walk up the escalator, sit on a bus or on a park's bench or just standing up in a bus and holding on.

I don't know about the rest of you but I am so sick and tired of seeing a black young girl thinking they are so fine with their behind out in the cold.

Mothers! talk to your daughter, look at them when they leave home, trust me, they will listen.

I have two daughters and thank the Lord I never feel as if I need to wrap my scarf around their waist.

Inspiration

2009-11-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

Maureen Pratt is a christian, an author and a woman who live her entire life in pain.

Just recently I read her book of inspiration for the reading program I am in at church and I must say, she has inspired me.

She has lupus, lost her only brother and was not able to attend because his funeral because of her illness, she was discriminated against but was able to keep her cool and to teach other that not all disability is visible.

In all her struggles she is able to wake up each morning praising God.

In July 2000, I had a myonectomy, ( surgery to remove fibroid, which has since grew back) and I am never the same since. I am in pain constantly. Not one day pass that I don't hurt.

My back hurt from an old injury in 1994 but after the surgery it just start hurting. I since found out that I have herniated, and compressed discs. My feet hurts, which I was told it's because of my back injury. Wearing socks and boots are so difficult for me.

Since I live in NY the winter months are most difficult for me. The funny thing is I hurt more at night than in the day (except when I am wearing boots or socks). I wake up every morning so stiff and aching, sometimes I dread getting out of bed because those first few steps are like putting a ton weight on my feet.

Somehow God has given me the strength to get up each day. When I think of Ms Pratt, I can only say, Thank the Lord for another day that I am able to get out of bed.

Missing you

2009-10-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hi Roots Lady,
Just in case you browsing, I want to let you know that you are missed.

I have always look forward to your beautiful creations and now they are missing.

Anyway, I hope all is well with you

Vacation at a Villa

2009-10-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

When planning a vacation to another country and you are making reservation at a villa be sure exactlly what is included in your package.

Yes I went to my sisters wedding and she booked me in a villa, Well the location was nice and quiet with view of the ocean from your balcony and the garden from your bed room, but that is all you get.

There were nothing to eat or drink unless you want to go into town which is about half an hour walk if you don't have a car.

They show beautifull picture with breakfast and all the tropical fruits that are in season, the only thing they forget to tell you is that you have to buy all those thing and have a housekeeper prepare it for you.

To my surprise, the only thing I got was a furnish room with running water.

Even though I went to my sisters wedding and the accomdation was ok I would not recommend this place to anyone unless they are looking for a place to hide out. In my beautifull island of Jamaica, I did not know that there are places that charge that kind of rate and do not even includes breakfast.

2009-08-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I pull out my photo albums and loose pictures for a walk down memory lane. The dilemma that I face ( and I know i am not alone) there are so many that are in no order whatsoever. From negatives, cds and tons of photographs.

I would love to have them organize but I don't have the time or any idea how to start.

I have decided going forward, now that I have a digital camera, I will have no more negatives,

I will print only the pictures I want to share with others (family and friends) and for my scrapbook/albums. All other pictures I will save on cds, label it and store in a special cd file box.

Since I got my camera, my computer is where I store my pictures but they are so many I need to save them to cds and take the old ones off my computer.

I will keep an update of my progress on my photo storage.

Going back to Jamaica

2009-07-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Well it's been two years and seven months since I was there last. It was a very sad time for me; I went to say goodbye and to lay to rest my beloved father.
Going back will be bitter sweet for me because daddy won't be there but since I am not really going home, I am going for a happy occasion (my sisters' wedding), I hope I will enjoy my visit.

This is my first sister and she always have a special place in my heart so when she asked me to be her matron of honor at her wedding I was honored.

We are sisters by father only and she has two other sisters out there, and because I am not good with their mother, I was surprised when she asked me.

So on August 27th I will be taking a trip back first the first time after daddy's passing, but since It is not about me, I am going to be the best big sister I can be and hope that her day will be one of happy memories for years to come.

Gifts that are ok to give back

2009-07-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

I don't know if he was eating the ice cream or if it was eating him.

Grandchildren are precious gifts that you can spoil and it's ok to send them back.

On May 17th I had seven of my eight grandchildren with me for a BBQ and we had a good ole time.

They had hot dogs, bergers and chicken and afterward they all had ice cream. James saw to it that we all had enough.

Three went home that evening, three went home the next day and Darius and his mother stayed until the end of the week then they went home. I enjoyed having all of them and now they are all back home with moms and dads.

Places I visit

2009-07-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

I often hear someone says "what you are looking for is right under your nose". Well I prove that to be so true a few weeks ago. James took me to Brooklyn, just for a drive and it was like being in another state. The streets with cobbler stone and the quietness of the area was different from what one would expect to find in Brooklyn, NY.

Then we went to a little park right on the waterfront, it was so peaceful, I have lived in NY for over 30 years and did not know that there are such beauty right under my nose.

From there we went to the promenade that overlooks all of downtown Manhattan/Brooklyn.

We saw the boats go by and the sunset was awesome.

Sorry I did not get a clearer picture on Manhattan at night.

Me

2009-07-01T02:42:00.000-07:00

In Brooklyn, by the river last year

Why do we have children?

2009-06-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

How can a mother gives away her children to other people at raise and never spend anytime with them, never take part in their lives, never even let them know that she is alive. Until she found out that they have achieve sometime wonderful or becomes famous, then she want she the whole world to know that these are her children.

However she cannot understands when these children treats her with indifference and the one child who shows her some respect she takes disadvantage of, ex: constantly use asking for favors and to run errands and to take her places. How does that child say enough, or no without being rude or mean?

The Bible say to "honor your mother and your father" but it also says "parents provoke not your children to wrath".

Sometimes life takes us to unexpected places, but wherever it leads we should remember that our children are precious gifts from God and treat them as such.
If you don't want them and give them away you should not come back for them because they achieve something and now fits into your life or make you look good.

When you give away a dress because it no longer fits, do you go to get it back because you lose weight or you found out that you could sell it on EBay for a few dollars?

Whatever seed you sow with your child/children that's the only fruit you should look to harvest.

Are we embarrassed of Love

2009-06-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

The experts say it is healthy for couples to be affectionate to each other at all times. Out in public, holding hands, little smooches and hugs, all that they say is ok.

If that's true, Then why are we as a people get so embarrassed when we see public display of love and affection by others?

On my way home from work on a train with standing room only, a couple came on, she held him around his waist and he held on to the pole, but their little play of affection made quite a few people uncomfortable. People were clearly trying not to look at them and from body language one could see how uncomfortable they were. Two stops later another couple came on and they were even worst. They were kissing (smooches) and fooling around with each other's hair and clothes while sharing an ipod.

I was amusing to me to see how many adults had a negative reaction to them.

Are we to show love and affection for each other only behind close doors? I for one don't think so. My partner leaves home at 4:30 in the morning. I get home at 6:30 to 7p.m. at night, that leaves us very little time together. As long as there are no indecent behavior I will let him know that I love him wherever I am.

A Virtual Garden

2009-05-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

I think this year I will try to have a virtual garden. I have rented my house and so I do not have any place to plant a garden. I am going to take pictures of the most interesting plants I see this year and post them to my blog.

I have always love exotic plants but the care of them always get the better of me, however I am going to try a few this year. This is my first one. It is an African Violet and right now it sits on the window in my office.

I bought it last while in bloom, so this is the second blooming season for it.

I am going to try my hands at orchids, so if anyone has experience or knowledge of them, please leave me a comment.

To visit my new grandbaby

2009-05-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

I will be visiting the newest member of my family on Friday. Flying from LaGuardia to Greensboro NC.

I will be visiting for a few days and helping my daughter settle in her new apartment. I will have lot of pictures on my return.

I am also going to try to do some shopping while I am there.

The Hair Thing

2009-05-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

For the past eight years I have been wearing my hair a medium brown. About four weeks ago I asked my hairdresser to put a rinse in because the greys in the front was so much, I remembered telling her not to put that red dye in my hair and she says ok. Well I have been washing it every week and it is still RED.

The next thing I notice that my hair is breaking and she keep telling me that all it needs is condition.

At my last perm I realize the problem, see my colour is permanent and when she start my perm she would stop to tend to just about anything and then try to work it to get my hair bone straight. See, those chemicals are not friends like that and when they are together for too long my hair breaks.

Well I don't want bone straight and I like my medium brown so from now on I am going to bring my own colour and my time clock.

Darius's Blanket

2009-05-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

Some time ago I said I was going to stop crocheting and my daughter Sheryl ask me to make her two baby blankets before I stop since all the other grandchildred have blankets made by me and she did not have any children as yet.

So she wanted me to make one for a boy and one for a girl, well I didn't but now little Darius is here and this is his blanket. Now all I have to do is to make one more for a girl and pray that her next baby will be a girl and all my children don't have anymore babies

Grandbaby #8

2009-04-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

He came this morning at 8:54am, little Darius weighting 6lb 9 ounces. He is the first child for my baby. Stay tune more to come

2009-04-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

The new first family of the USA preparing for the annual Easter egg roll at the White House, April 12, 2009. (picture from the web)

It is said that a President age eight years for every four years in the White House. In four years I will compare this picture to see the change.

Be Gentle with Me,, Do not break my back.

2009-03-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

I have often times borrow books from someone who does not care anything about books and instead of enjoying the book I find myself straitening out the pages as I read.

As a child growing up in Jamaica with a very large extended family, we share books because the same books were used every school year, therefore when you move to a higher grade you were expected to give the book to a cousin or sister or brother who would be using it next.
Because of this I always takes care of my books.

Now I cannot stand to see any books being abused. When you look at my bookcase, and it is a small overstuffed one, you cannot tell that my books were actually read, but everyone of them were, sometimes two and three times.

You see I am very choosy as to who I lend my book to. If you can care my book as well as I can? I have no problem sharing with you.

One day on the train going home I was crocheting and the young lady next to me was reading, the next instance she bend the corner of her page ( she was finish reading). I cut my thread right there and crochet a bookmark, but them I could not give it to her. But if it happens again, I sure will make it and give it up.

Snowday

2009-03-20T12:11:00.001-07:00

This is the first snowday day I have had in a long time, March 2nd. It felt good just to stay home and watch the snow fall and work on the blanket I am crocheting for my 8th grandbaby due in May.

James went to work but they sent him home, and so here is is shoveling away at the snow.

I think this is the end of the snow for this season.

Cardinals

2009-03-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

I have two sets of cardinals, one set at my house and one set at James' house. I love to watch them from my window but I can never get to take a picture of them. Every time I try, they always fly away when I get close enough to take the picture.

One thing I would like to know is which is male and which is female because there are always two of them, one red and the other is grey.

I am going to try to catch them (take a picture) this summer.

Sharing Your Home

2009-02-18T06:58:00.001-08:00

A month ago My neighbor and friend ask me if I know anyone who has a furnish apartment she could rent for her niece and family who is coming up from Trinidad.
Without hesitating I told her she could have mine since I am only there once or twice per week and only to get clothes and pick up the mail.

The family came up three weeks ago and I am so happy, not only am I collecting an extra income from them, they keep the house and the ground just as I would and I don't have to worry that someone may see the house empty and break in.

Also I am planing to sell in the next two years and they have express their interest in buying it if I was thinking of selling.
The husband is working for the UN and will be eligible for mortgage in two years so the timing is perfect. So now I am renovating the basement to move my things and so they can have the entire house and I will have an even bigger income and a buyer when I am ready to sell.

Sometimes you have to be willing to open your hands to help others and you might be surprise of what falls in them.

Fight Those Winter Blues

2009-02-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

How many of us get depressed in the winter months? Well needless to say quite a lot; the winter months are cold and you feel closed in all the time which gives us a feeling of melancholy, especially for those of us who live alone.

I find to fight those winter blues to get involve in programs in your local community, join the Y, get out and meet new people, go out to dinner, or lunch at least twice per week (yes by yourself). If you go to the same place often enough, soon they will know you and treat you special when you go in.

Become a big brother or sister to a child, it is quite easy from your church or place of worship there are lots of young people who is looking for a place to hang out away from home and someone who they will listen to them and help them with their homework.
It is a win, win, you gets a companion a few nights a week and they get the benefit of having a person who will listen to them other than their parent. Sometimes it is easier for a child to talk about what’s on their mind if they are not talking to their parent.

The only thing is, be careful not to get over involved like I did. I had so much going on that I had to quit some of the things I was in.

Bird Houses in NYC

2009-01-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

Here I am again with my story of my city, NYC.

Madison Square Park is a small park, borders 25th street, Madison Ave., 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue.

Well right after christmas I went out for a walk at lunchtime and was surprise to see in the trees in the park bird houses. Who would have thought that amoung the glitz and glaumor of New York City one would see bird houses in trees.

Thanks to the Flatiron Partnership and the City on New York.

UNAPPRECIATED

2008-12-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

How many of you out there feel unappreciated on your job, well for those of you who feel that way you are not alone.
I have been working for this company or person for over 20 years and I just feel that he takes it for granted that I am always going to be here to give my 110%. When he gives you anything other than your salary, he makes you feel as if he has just given you the world.
One would think that after all this time he would want to show you that he appreciates your loyalty to him and the company. Well he has taken his family on vacation, and all he said to me was, pay the messenger, pay the salesman and tell the messenger that he has to work on Friday (12/26) a half day. I am paid monthly, and so to I have to wait until the end of the month (new year's eve) before I can do my holiday shopping, however I have to be in the office everyday.
For any employers out there who happen to read this; pleeaassee show some appreciation to your employees, it encourages them to give 100% to their job, its a win, win.
.

Proud Parent

2008-12-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

Many parent have a child that is considered an over achiever, I would not consider myself one of those parent, but when I read some of the things my daughter writes it makes me so proud to be her mother. She creates, she is poetic and she has soul. Not to say I am not proud of my other two children, I am proud of all my children for the simply fact that they are mine and they are trying to survive in this chaos of a world without calling me to bail them out of one thing or the other. But Jen, my hats off to you.

By the way I am still waiting for the rest of "Crossing Over"

The Places I visited in Israel

2008-11-26T06:01:00.000-08:00

On my trip to Israel I visited many places that we read about in the bible, It was an awesome experience. Here are some of the places, they are not in the order in which I visited

This is the place where Jesus perform His first Miracle, this is the actual spot and this church is build over it.

The Church of Annunciation - where the angel told Mary she will be the mother of Jesus

Bethlehem - The birthplace of Jesus

The Church of the Nativity - where Jesus was born

The Church of Flagellation

The Church of Condemnation - Here He was thrown into a pit after He was arrested, ( I actually went into the pit)

The Room in which they had the Last Supper. The is a window from that room.

The Church of St. Anne (Mary's mother)

Statue of St Anne and Mary as a child

The church on the mount of the Beatitudes with it beautiful gardens

The garden of Gesthemane.

A 2000 year old tree in which Zacheaus climb in to see Jesus in Jericho

Jordan River in which he was baptized.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchure

The Garden Tomb where many believe is the burial and Resurrection site of the Lord.

The Dead Sea, it is not a sea but actually a lake, so called because there are no living thing in it because of its high salt content. I also visited Masada, where King Herod build his mount Fortress.

Where He told Peter "Upon this rock I will build my church

From my trip continues

2008-11-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

Next we visited their underground water system which they on longer use.

This is what the animals would eat from. (Baby Jesus laid in one for a crib)

Behind me is a silo in which grain was stored to feed the city.

Next stop was Megiddo, We went into the old city. This is a model of the city

From my trip continues

2008-11-14T09:42:00.000-08:00

Then off we went, stopped at the old aqueduct and stepped into the Mediterranean sea.

I left NY JFK on Tuesday, 10/28 at 9:30pm, got to my hotel in Tiberias on Wednesday 10/29 at 10:pm. Had dinner and settled in for the night. Wake up call was 6:30 am on Thursday, dressed, breakfast (buffet) and on the buss by 8:30 to meet out tour guide. Our first stop was Ceseara where went into the old theater, the view was breath taking.

Back from my Trip.

2008-11-13T11:23:00.000-08:00

Well I am back from my trip to Israel. What an experience? Let me just say the experience was awesome! I walked where Jesus walked. Touch the place where was crucified, went into the tomb he laid in, went in the pit he was put in after he was arrested, sail on the sea of Galilee.

I have lots to tell and pictures to show, but I have to spend some time writing and organizing what I want to share.

Preparing to visit a foreign Country

2008-10-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

Well, it is down to the wire, there 4 days left before my trip to Israel.
I will be there for 8 days
I was told that my suitcase should not go over 40lb, that I should carry one outfit in my carry on just in case. I was also told that it is about 70 to 75 degree there so I should pack accordingly.
It is very hard for a woman to pack light with all these restrictions however I am going to try.
I am writing a check list for myself, and check things off as I go along. I still need to finish my shopping.
I got batteries, all my toiletries, sunglasses, my cameras ( my digital and 1 disposable) need an adaptor for my video camera and ................what else?

Still counting down to Israel

2008-10-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Well, it is getting closer, I got my itinerary and it is a long trip, JFK to Ukriane, the Ukraine to Tel-Aviv. about 18 hours one way or maybe because of the time differences it won't be that long.
Anyway it's only 10 days to go before lift off.

About me

2008-10-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

Can anyone guess the meaning behind my name (not you Jen)?

Well I not not going to tell just yet. In the next couple of days I will reveal the answer.

Here is a clue

Days off

2008-10-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

Well everyone, the Jewish holiday starts tonight at sunset and so my boss has left for the day but I am still here.

Monday is another holiday that I wish I could take off, but I will be here.

Anyway, can't complain too much because in 20 days I will be on my way to Israel and I will be taking 2 weeks off, actually 1 week and 6 days.

Can't wait.
counting down the days
20 and counting

Counting down to my trip

2008-10-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

There are 21 days left before my trip to Israel and I am getting excited. I still did not go shopping for the few things I need to take with me.

Me Day

2008-10-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

So, tomorrow Sat. Oct. 4th 2008 is ME DAY. I will wake up at 7:00 am and clean up my yard. (My other favorite thing, even in the wintertime, I love to look outside and see a clean yard)
I will have breakfast and then out to get pampered. (I will show my nails after)

A.First my mani & pedicure

B. My hair and last a facial.

C. Out to dinner and home to relax for church on Sunday.

Leftover Dinner with Love for Lunch

2008-09-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

Every now and again I would take my leftover dinner for lunch, when I remember to pack it or if is something I don't mind eating in the office. Recently, however, I look forward to leftovers for lunch when I cook at James' house. You see, He pack my lunch with LOVE and by the time I am ready for lunch it taste better than it did for dinner.

Ride the NYC Subway at your own Risk

2008-09-25T06:48:00.000-07:00

Well, this morning was one of those mornings you wish you could drive to work.
I was sitting at the end seat near the door and a man came on and stand next to me.
Every so often he would lean over on me, and I would gently push him off me. (Now since my father past away I cannot tolerate the smell of cigarette.) This man also smell of stale cigarette smoke, so I raise my hand to cover my nose and he hit me. I took a deep breath and say a prayer.
I hop the rest of my day gets better.

My wish List

2008-09-18T06:05:00.001-07:00

Everyone should have a wish list, (or dreams they would like to accomplish) not that you expect other people to grant your wish, it gives you something to work toward accomplishing for yourself. Here are a few of mine.

1. I wish I had more time with my dad( he is deceased)

2. I wish there were less crime and violence in the world.

3. Be my own boss someday

4. Have my best friend as my spouse ( and be totally in love with him)

5. See my grandchildren at least twice each year.

6. Travel to at least six foreign countries in my lifetime.(Jamaica not included)

7. Health, long life and happiness for my children.

8. See the Grand Canyon

9. Be the only person on my block with the warest flower in my garden.

10. crochet the prettiest blanket ever made.

Numbers 1 & 2 are out of my reach. I am working on all the rest. This October I am going to Israel on a 10 days trip.

My Tomato plant

2008-09-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

There are several things that I like to do but my two favorites are crocheting and gardening.

This summer I planted lots of new plants in my backyard so next year it should be beautiful. I also planted cherry tomatoes in the front yard in the middle of my snapdragons, geraniums and begonias, it just don't want to stop blossoming. It is now the middle of September and take a look.

Salad Jambaree

2008-09-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

Carrot and Peas salad

Fruit Salad

This is Summer Fruit delight

This is a Carrot cake

This is a Salmon Mouse

The second annual salad jambaree at Grace Church by the UMW women

There were salads of every kind, Friut salads, Tuna salads, Macaroni salads, Chicken salads, Toss salads, Carrot salads and the deserts were just as delightful.

A Park in the Middle of the Street

2008-09-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

The Flatiron District

New York City, 5th Ave, Broadway at 23rd Street

Where 5th Ave. crosses Broadway, and Broadway split into two, creating a triangle on eight side of 23rd street, This is a very busy intersection. Instead of having two lanes of traffic there are three.

This is where a lot of disabled people also crosses in wheelchair or the blinds with their cane always asking for help to cross the street.

Well. this summer the city of New York decided to creat a little park or seating areas complete with tables, chairs and umbrellas, they also added plants in containers in the middle of the triangles. It is amazing to see how quickly people took to the park, in he mornings to have their coffee and read the paper before going into the office, at lunch time the seats are never enough and in the evenings just to hangout with a book or to chat with friends before going home.

The intersection is now less hazardous for everyone to cross, not only the disabled, because there is less lane of traffic to cross.

Thanks to New York City and the Flatiron District Organizers.

Acknowledging your fault can calm a storm

2008-09-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

I was in a situation a few days ago that made me quite upset. I was ready to be mad and stay mad.
However, the person that cause me to be upset walk into the room I was sitting with a look that says I am sorry, before he could open his mouth to speak.
It took me by surprise, I had to smile, I was no longer mad and then he apologise and that was the icing on the cake. The storm within me was calm. Don't be afraid to say your sorry, it might be all a person need at that moment.

Live for today

2008-08-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

When I met James and everyone saw how happy I was, quite a few people told me to live for today. To enjoy the moment because I never know what can happen. Sometimes I think they were just jealous of me, but something happened to let me see exactly what they were talking about. An associate of mine was engaged to be married I think this December 31st 2009, she was busy planning a wedding. Last Monday I got an email that said "Chris is dead" her boyfriend, soon to be husband is dead. He just bought a motorcycle and was out for a ride, had an accident and died.
Now I think I will enjoy each moment as if it was my last. Sometimes it takes someone Else's pain for us to see clearly.

Jacqui, you are in my prayers.

Be patience

2008-08-20T06:19:00.000-07:00

Patience is hard for me because I always want to have things done now. I am learning that "patience is really a virtue". Sometimes we have to take baby steps to get to where we want to go, because with grown up steps, we just miss our stop.

Rainy Monday

2008-08-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

It's Monday and it is raining. Nothing much exciting going on, my weekend was very restful.
To

Places I have visited

2008-08-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

Niagra Falls, 7/07

I was born in Jamaica WI and when I migrated to the USA in 1979, there were lots of places in Jamaica I have never visited. I never took the time to see my counrty, or to visit the places marked as "tourist attractions" in my country.

I realize that I am doing the same thing here in the USA. Well, that is going to change. I will try to visit as many places as I can. Roosevelt Island is the first, a beautiful place right here in NY. I visited 7/12/08 with James. It is not at all like NYC with all the rushing in a hurry to go no where.

Places I visited

2008-08-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

Tucked in

2008-08-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

James is such a great person. Sometimes in the morning when he gets out the bed (he gets up at 4:30am) he tuck his pillow up beside me, I can smell him and feel the warmth of him still on the pillow. Sometime I get so cozy I over sleep and have to rush to get to work on time but I don't mind.

He did that this morning, but I did not over sleep.

Thursday 7/31/08

2008-08-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

I am usually in no hurry to go home, but these last few weeks I cannot wait for 5:30 so I can leave the office to be home when James gets off work.
Today I am cooking dinner for him at his house for the first time, So I want to be home at little earlier than usual. He appreciates the smallest thing I do for him and this makes it easy, a lot of people take things for granted but not him. He compliments me on everything I do, he makes me want to be the best I can always, even when I don't feel up to it.

Trip continue

2008-07-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

I have tried when I was younger to ride a bike but I never did. This weekend I went on the bike with James (see the pic. below) and it was so much fun. We rode for 6 miles. Sometimes my feet would slip off the pedal and the other bikers passing by would shout at James ( she is cheating, she is not pedalling) because he was in the front and can't see when I am not pedalling.
James is awesome, he made it a special weekend for me.

Pictures from my trip

2008-07-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

I had the most wonderful trip to VA this past weekend. The people there are so friendly and courteous. I really had a good time. Here are some of the pictures from my trip.

This is not a real tatoo of Tinker Bell, but I am thinking a making it real.

This is the first picture of James and me together.

I don't know how to ride a bike but today riding with James it felt like have always known how.

Trip day

2008-07-25T06:10:00.000-07:00

Today at 3pm James is picking me up from work for our little weekend getaway.
My bags are all packed and ready to go. James took me to the train station this morning, while I am at work he is going to rotate the tires on the car, get on oil change and get his manicure.
I got a few things I need to do in the office to clear my desk because I will not be in on Monday. I'm so excited.

me

2008-07-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

2008-07-23T18:07:00.000-07:00

I am modeling one of the new bathing suits for our trip to Virginia Beach this weekend