BRINGING THE AFRO BACK

Hey You,

you think the Afro is dead, or maybe from the seventies and it should stay there?

Well, in my world, it's back and alive and well. It took me three weeks, but I finally got all those locks out of my hair. And guess what... I still have a full head of hair.

I combed out a full head of hair, but it's ok. When you don't comb your hair for over a year, you have to expect to lose some hair. I know while I was locking, I kept waiting for my locks to solidify... to look like the locks of those that I would pass in stores and restaurants. It's a long ardurous process. And they never did. They had lumps, hair loose, and basically looked messy all the time, unless I spent 3 hours retwisting. And don' get me wrong, I did it for over a year, but I started desiring neatness. I found it. Now that I wear my afro- I have neatness.

So, don't dis my hair, picture to come.

Our Son Comes Home

Yesterday was made perfect with the addition of our eldest son who came home after being out of our lives for more than a year and a half. Yes, he was in a correctional institute, but that I don't believe is too different from a lot of other people. We were none less happy to see him and share time with him; but here is where the real rubber meets the road... after the joy of the party fades, will he get involved in making his life a better one so that he'll never have to go back that way again.

We've all seen the statistics, where 75% of the people who are released are soon resigned to even more time with the corrections department. Where people who were once on drugs return to the very thing that they wanted to get away from. Well, I am praying for him (my son) and I pray that you'll pray with me if you read this. His life will change. He will become proactive in keeping his life busy and challenging, and he will not become just another statistic. I know that it's possible.

More than 10 months ago now, I quit smoking. And after more than 30 years I just put the cigarettes down. Well, just like I was delivered from smoking by a power greater than myself, lets' call Him "Jesus" my son can be delivered. I pray continually for his well being, but even more, I pray that His mind will be free to believe that he can make a better life.

While at my other son's house, I had more time to spend with my grandkids. And my newest granddaughter Anyiah. It's so great. Then of course, I had to come home, but that's part of it; they don't come home with me, and I still get to enjoy my peace and quiet and listen to the news when I need too.

Which reminds me to say, "What the Hell!" AIG handed out more bonuses on the taxpayer? Did this really occur. These men are really untouchable. And not in tune with the plight of their own employees. Of all the greedy, arrogant moves that they could do. They run a company into the ground, and then they feel that they deserve a bonus???? OH GOD! !!!::;))**&)*&)*&)*&)*&()*J;L12KJ34;LK4J; f#*k! I cannot believe this, and I am losing my words. I am so upset. We should just all be so upset we don't go to work, don't put gas in our cars, don't shop for anything... we should bring this frickin country to a stop. They'll see then.

Happy Day

Well, what do ya know? I've got time, two days in a row!

Just so happen that yesterday I spent time visiting with my daughter, and grand daughters, and I got pictures!:) So here's a picture of the most recent addition to our family, Anyiah, and her sister Amani.

She really smiled so much bigger than that, but of course, I didn't move fast enough!

Soon, I've got to get ready for work. Right now, I am trying to decide what I am going to wear. Because I never know, until I actually look in my closet. And with the hair thing not working these days, it's unknown, but hopefully it will all come together.

Working for a bank, they always strive for professional dress. But I think I would rather dress more casual... just dressy shoes and that does the job. Or dress up blouse, and that works, or adding a scarf. Either way it goes, I think Capri pants would work today, but due to a cold front coming, maybe not so smart today!

Going to get ready for work...Enjoy your day, and keep smiling!

I'm back...

Whew:) I know that it's been a long time since I came in and updated, but there's been a lot on my plate. I don't honestly know how people keep up with their busy online, lives. Not to mention the activities that happen offline.

My grand children are now just 6 beautiful children that I see on an occasional basis. My daughter has now begun living her own life, and she's keeping my girl Faith, for help and support. Having two small babies is a little work you know.

And my son, who got married, to someone with two sons already, had his son, and now the five of them come over occasionally. But see, it takes me 2 months to clean up the house after one of their visits. So, I visit them approximately once a week, but they are only coming over now on holidays!:) And I admit, I am enjoying my life with quietness. After more then 20 years of raising kids myself, and then when they left they came back, but now it seems they are gone and are making things work on their own; and I love it. My husband... him I still see everyday. It's finally just the two of us, and after more than 30 years of being married to him, he's easy. I imagine that I am too. There are no more tug of wars with the kids putting us against each other, so I have to say that right now... life is quiet and peaceful, and I love it.

I've been spending some of my time at the flower garden, and look at the beautiful orchid. I am enjoying the quiet of watching flowers bloom and photographing them. It's very interesting.

Right now I am learning to photograph in macro.

Not as easy as I thought, but fun none the less.

And my knitting... I am making a beautiful lace patterned scarf! pictures upcoming.
So, I am still working part time, and today's no exception, but I won't be so long coming in anymore.

I hope to blog every other day or so! Because everyday, I am taking pictures... so we'll see! In creating My Something Special I hope to make this place my fun place!

Happy New Year

It's the beginning of the Chinese New Year, and I am finally getting back to thinking about blogging. I have been out working for so long, and with the holidays that we just had, I found that I was actually to busy to blog. But I have my health this year, so I will not complain.

After 5 years of being unemployed, broke, and having had 3 serious surgeries, I am finally getting back to the business of living, I am so grateful that I forgot that I had the online to attend too. My something better, really is Something Better! After all these years, I have my health back. And I quit smoking too! Who knew?

It's been more than 6 months now, and I have been fortunate enough to have found myself a church home, so I don't fear going back. I am moving forward these days with dreams that I never thought possible, now looking more like a reality since President Barack Obama was sworn in.

I never thought that in my lifetime I would see what I witnessed on January 20th 2009, but I did, so now I believe that anything is possible.

What plans do I have for the year. Many. Too many to mention right now, but the main interest this year is getting some education in Photography. Yes, I am going to become a photographer. What type... I am not sure yet. I so enjoy taking photos of kids. I also love taking photos of nature and landscapes, but I also enjoy being creative and learning new tricks in photography. So, as I strive for more knowledge, I will be trying a lot of new things, and this is a great place to sound it off!

Hey, during this very cold time of the year, we are going to be stuck inside for the next couple of days, so hopefully I'll be able to come in and place some more of the beautiful pictures that I have been playing with.

Have a safe day.

I'm late, but Happy New Year

Happy New Year World,

I found myself being so busy with living life that I didn't have a chance to come in and update my blog. I have made several new commitments this year; to lose 26 pounds, to keep working on trying to become a better photographer. Those are the easy ones. Because I am convinced that as long as I keep my mind clear and singly focused, I can accomplish those goals, after all, last year I QUIT SMOKING. After more than 30 years of filling up my lungs with the harsh chemicals of nicotine, I just quit. No I cannot even say that I quit. I was delivered. Because I never hurt about it, or looked back. I simply put them down one day, said and prayer, and never desired to pick them back up. As far as I am concerned, I am already living my non-smoking dream. But this is just my 1st New Years without cigarettes, and I still find that the smell that nicotine left behind is a little disturbing, but I will live through it.

My harder goals of living life without credit cards, is going to be a little more difficult. I didn't actually just pick up a credit card one day and say, "Hey, lets' max it out!" No, I just used it on this thing, because I liked it, and then on something else because I liked it, and so on until it was maxed out, and I cannot even remember the first thing that I bought that was so nice, and I really liked it. Last year, November, I paid off major credit card debt, and now the goal is to stop living from paycheck to paycheck and just paying the bills, but rather to live each day to the fullest, and decline the unnecessary spending. And that's a challenge. But I am confident that it can be accomplished. I mean, being a clothes hog is just not that big of a deal. Just stay out of the stores. Don't watch the stupid commercials that encourage eager spending.

I also want to spend more time being me, and not the person that my mother wanted me to be, the person my kids wanted me to be, or even the person that my husband wanted me to be. Somewhere in being all those people, I lost who I really am, and I want to get back in contact with my inner person, because there was something great about me when I met my husband, and she's still in there. It's time for me to recreate myself again. But you know, I am older, smarter, and wiser, and this time, I can be complete.

And finally, I want to find my niche. I know that I am an avid knitter, and I love digital photography, and music. But something about me is special, and that's what I am looking to find and improve this year.

That's quite a lot to improve, or rather, to do this year, but I am confident that I can do it, because I never walk alone. My Savior, Jesus Christ is always with me, and He's not through with me yet!

Have a blessed day, until we meet again.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to You and Yours

It is done. It's Christmas Eve, and besides many stuck in airports due to weather, many have just had their electricity restored, and many are digging out of snow, to make Christmas happen, it's here. Whether you are ready or not. Now the miracles happen. The kindnesses that are extended beyond being nice.

I believe that today must be the most magical day, because once the actual Christmas day arrives, there's a lull that you feel after all the gifts are opened, and the kids are off playing with their gifts.

I was working on knitting projects that got put on hold due to Holiday shopping that was put off to the last minute. But, the best thing about knitting is that it doesn't go anywhere until I get back to it... So next year I'll be a little more ready.

All the cooking to do is now taking precedence so there's absolutely no more time to shop, hoping that you can pick up that one gift that will make the difference. I pray that families will look past the gifts to the thoughts that Love started it all.

A love bigger than we could ever know. The love of God for His most prized possession. YOU AND ME! Because He loved us so, He put on the flesh and endured the life in flesh to be crucified, and Risen again to conquer death. Yes, I am talking about our Lord Christ Jesus Himself. Glory Hallelujah:) I get excited when I Praise His Name. But I hope that the smiles and hugs all hold that special love for mankind that allows us all to endure for just a while longer, before we start worrying again about our money, the economy, and the next year.

So, relax, it is done. Smile, it is done. Praise Him. It is done. Now go hug all your friends and loved ones and don't worry. IT IS DONE!