My Intended. Blogcation.

As some personal prioritized deadlines approach I feel a strong need to vacate from "this" space temporarily to give my undivided attention to my real live life tasks at hand. Over the next few months I'll be...

• Finalizing what's necessary to secure my eldest daughter's college admission, registration for classes and her big move out of state.
• Making the necessary preparations for her birthday/prom big bang event.
• Studying intensely about the organization I'm now employed by to further secure my position.
• Packing to put some "things" in storage.
• Disposing of many "things" that just don't need to follow us into our new place.
• Finding/securing a suitable location/place where we'll make "it" our new home.
• Moving into our new place and making "it" a home.
• Amongst other "things" unnamed at "this" present moment.

So, to those "that" do check in here to see what's new in my world, you'll have to check out my archives during the meanwhile as I take care of family business as head of my household. I shall return in due time with some new updates and more interesting stories, than I can share now. If no one tells you and you're not feeling any of "it" know "that" I love you as you are and accept you totally for who you may become, whether I've actually met you or not. Your presence here is enough to warrant my acknowledgement and general respect for the time you took to read my dear blog.

#AsUwereCarryOnAsIdotheSame

Miss Maysha. She Woman.

Last, but definitely not least. My childhood BFF Maysha and I live on a rollercoaster within our friendship. At times, we're up, then we're going in circles and sometimes we crash. There's a bond which exists between us "that" neither of us can deny. We've experienced a whole lot together and we've also missed some beats in one another's lives.

She's beautiful and a pretty incredible woman. A mother to five children, but three are now adults. Her ability to persevere through challenging situations if a force to acknowledge. Of course, I can't rob her of the opportunity to share her own story so I'm sparing no personal details, however, I will share what she's meant to me and why she remains relevant in my life.

We've practically raised our children together. They share social networks and respect one another like family. We experienced our last pregnancies together and our daughters spent nearly every day of the first year of their lives together.

Growing up we were partners in crime. She'd tell her family she was at my house and I'd tell my mother I was down the street at her's, while we were blocks away flirting with older boys. We would call ourselves chocolate and vanilla.

I genuinely love my Maysha regardless what we've been through. Whether we're up or down, still I pray for her and her family. Not too long ago we were on an off-spell, but when she found out my mother passed away she came to check on me. In person. Being the loving, compassionate woman that she is, "it" wasn't a second thought to make sure I was ok under the circumstances.

I remember when I had my first daughter I couldn't seem to find a caring and safe babysitter to watch her while I worked nights. Even though Maysha had a housefull, she still extended help and kept my daughter for me on several occasions. My daughter would always spit up after a feeding and "it" took a whole lot more than just dabbing away the mess. She would have to change my daughters clothes, get her settled and calm again. Then she'd have to mop up the vomit. Would you know "this" phenomenal woman didn't complain once? Unbelievable, because I could hardly handle "this" from my own baby.

Maysha had to become a woman long before her mind and body was developed into one. She remains hopeful and determined, while putting forth her best efforts to create a comfortable lifestyle for her family. Her eldest son is now a father so she's a glamma (her word). Laughing out loud.

I must mention all the whoopla we cause when we go out in public together. Being single and liking to mingle is an understatement when we hit the town. Good "thing" we've been so busy attempting to readjust our lifestyles, "that" we haven't gone out in years, but I feel an itch coming on and she's mentioned "that" we're long overdue so "this" summer better watch out.

What we share in common most now is the lense we view our families from. Unfortunate, but a reality which we both have had to come to grips with. The first step towards our healing is acknowledgement. The second; taking positive action to make a difference in our own little families consisting of our children and circles of true friendship.

#GODain'tdonewithUSyetbetterasksomebody!

The Best Cousin. Quon.

The best cousin I've ever known. Wouldn't trade her for any other.

I love this little petite, chocolate, real-life china doll so much!!! She has a warrior's spirit and is the most self-encouraging person I know. When she's ready to share her own personal story she will. I can't rob her of the opportunity so I'll only share what she means to me. 

We met when we were in junior high school. She and her sister were pretty popular there. Quon embraced me immediately and we soon became inseparable. "This" woman has had my back since day one. Although, most of my upbringing has been in the hood, I was still quite naive in some areas, which made me very susceptible to becoming victimized by nonsense.

I had already experienced being bullied heavily and fights were waiting on me at "this" school. Quon inspired a great amount of bravery in my being. To stand tough on my own wasn't really my issue. Standing up against the negativity of the masses is where I faced some challenges and here, is where my cousin demonstrated a high level of concern for my well-being. 

As small as she was then, she had a mouth "that" spit fire like a dragon and no one would persistently bother her. I can't fail to mention how quickly her sister, my cousin Missy was to fight to defend her big-tiny sister. Kids from their neighborhood knew better than to mess with these two sisters and when they took me in, folks knew who I was related to so they didn't bother me either. Much of my own street-cred I owe to my big brother and cousins, Quon and Missy.

To date, she is still "something" like a warrior. She commands respect and gets "it." I recall a time when we were roommates and I couldn't get her to do what I wanted so we had a heated arguement. "It" escalated to the point where I felt we were better off going our separate ways and we did; for many years. Her forgiving heart led her to reach out to me by visiting my mother when she was alive. I was so stubborn, that I didn't acknowledge her efforts for a few more unnecessary years. 

I need my cousin in my life. I know "this" now more than ever. She is a rock. My rock solid family member. She accepts me with all of my flaws and doesn't mind sharing her opinion even if it makes me steaming mad. Laughing within. Through our relationship I've learned how to let go much better. I recover from being upset much quicker these days thanks to my beautiful cousin. I've seen how she does "it" and how much happier "it" makes her to move forward beyond offenses without holding a grudge against those "that" matter to her. She really is a real person. Like it or not, Quon is true to her person and does not live life as a phony made up character.

The LORD blessed me with "this" walking miracle to remain present in my life. Through her I see a whole lot of myself. We have matured into independent women together and I'm glad "that" Quon still remains relevant in my life.  

Two Days. Two More!!

To share about to complete this month's theme highlighting the VIPs in my life. 

Maysha & Quon are last, but far from least. Power Personalities to be described.

My Life-Size Image.

My Black History: Day 7.

I'm bouta be brief and finna goeta bed in a lil bit.

I ohno bout dem, but showl know lots bout me.

I be tryna do my best like I'm spoesta.

Language is an art. No one should be made to feel less equal than others because we speak differently. I, along with many of my friends had great elementary school teachers. We were fortunate.

My mother had a vast vocabulary, but still spoke in slang at home. So do I. Most of the women in my family mastered the art of grammatical English and standardized speech is something, "that" I'm very familiar with. When I was a little girl I had a "thing" for the dictionary. I still refer to the dictionary daily at some point or another. Either to check my own usage/spelling of a word or to better comprehend something I heard, but didn't quite understand.

In my lifetime, I've been referred to as "ghetto" just because I speak slang. Some have also accused me of speaking "proper" or talking "white." If I must be hit with an identifier-label, what does "this" really make me?

Prophetto/Ghetroper?! Ghettite/Whietto?! Laughing out loud... Heehee-Haha!

As I continue to teach my children right from wrong, I will also ensure, that they remain proud of whom we are as Black-Americans, but remember to never allow society, insiders/outsiders, or anything to box them into any ONE category.

Black people are so much better than what's thought, what's said, what's heard, what's felt, and seen by the mean. 

Okay. Let's Go!!!

Oh my goodness. Seems it's another one of these days where I'm a little too unfocused and unable to describe how I'm feeling in a manner, that I feel makes sense. Yet, I'm thinking about a whole lot of "things" at "this" moment...

One step at a time.