In the spirit of the new year, I have changed the look of the blog. I feel this theme will give me greater options going forward. I’ll probably tweak things throughout the year. I hope you like it.
Peace and love,
Michelle
New Year’s Resolutions
2011 is over and I’m glad to see it go. A new year offers endless possibilities to simply do things better. In that vein, here is my list of five resolutions for the new year:
- Finish the edits for my book. – This has been an ongoing struggle for some reason. There is really no excuse not to be finished by now.
- Exercise more, eat better. – A no brainer.
- Finish those edits already. – Seriously, I’m sure I can find more time in the day if I stop playing Words with Friends.
- Strive to be a better person. – Just make a conscious effort to do better in every way as a wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.
- Finish the damn edits!!
Those are my resolutions. What are yours?
A Newbies Guide to Publishing: Konraths Resolutions for Writers 2012
This website has been a valuable source of information and inspiration. If you are a writer, please check it out.
A Newbies Guide to Publishing: Konraths Resolutions for Writers 2012.
‘Tis the Season to be Grumpy
I’m not feeling Christmas this year. And I’m not the only one with this sentiment. A scientific poll conducted with three friends, my sisters and six random co-workers reveal that “Christmas just isn’t the same this year.”
What caused this anti-Christmas phenomenal? Could it be Christmas overload from the way retailers shove holiday cheer on us before we can swallow the candy from Halloween? Maybe it’s because Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer came on television before Thanksgiving? Or maybe it’s because I missed the annual shopping kill or be killed event otherwise known as “The Day After Thanksgiving?
As I have gotten older my kids have gotten older, Christmas has lost some of its magic. I relished the role of “playing” Santa and secretly wrapping presents. Now Princess and Diva only want one gift. Money and a ride to the mall.
Maybe I’ve gotten lazy. Why spend a month stressing and decorating for one day and then it’s over? Why struggle to maintain a false sense of holiday cheer and being nice to people you can’t stand for 364 other days of the year?
I’m sure I’ll snap out of this funk in a day or two. After all, I am looking forward to some days off from work and spending time with family. I can focus on the true meaning of Christmas and not worry about my meager Christmas budget. I can be thankful that my family is healthy and that I am loved. See, I can almost feel the warmth of Christmas cheer.
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone. I look forward to more adventures in the New Year.
Movie Review – Crazy Stupid Love
Let me start by saying I LOVED this movie. Yes, I know it came out in July 2011 but I just rented it and stayed up late to finish watching it. It was worth it.
For anyone who hasn’t seen it yet here is a quick summary courtesy of IMBd: A middle-aged husband’s life changes dramatically when his wife asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a new-found friend Jacob, learning to pick up girls at bars.
What made this movie different from the hundreds of other romantic comedies? Short answer: the characters are fully developed. I once read a quote that described a good book. Simply put, a good book is one that once you read the last page, you miss the characters like old friends. The same can be applied to a good movie. The casting and acting were heartfelt and realistic.
I am a huge fan of Steve Carell (The Office) and he brought the right amount of charm and vulnerability to the character of Cal Weaver, a man who has been married for years and is happy and content in his life. Watching him struggle with learning to date again was touching. Seeing a playboy be redeemed (Ryan Gosling) was done in a refreshing manner. The additional subplot involving Cal’s 13 year old son and his crush on his babysitter was priceless. The writing and dialogue were on point.
I enjoyed this movie so much I’ve watched it twice. I plan to buy it for Christmas. It is a case study in character development and story structure. I recommend you go out and rent it immediately. You won’t be disappointed.
Dream Deferred….Dream Realized
I attended my sister, Baby’s graduation on Friday. She is now a licensed cosmetologist. The ceremony was held at the school and was relevantly simple. Each graduate had to write a paper about their time in the program and the things they learned. I was nervous when Baby’s turn came because she hates to speak in public. She walked to the front and needed a tissue before she said one word. This made my water works flow. (Sidenote: The tears are nothing new for me. I am a known crier. I’ll tear up at a sad commercial.) But my sister did her thing and I was inspired by her speech.
Here is a summary of what she said:
- She talked about how she always liked doing hair. In fact, after high school we (my family) all expected her to go to cosmetology school. Instead, she wanted to get away from home so she enrolled in college.
- She got pregnant after a year away so she came home and got a job. Twenty months later she had another child.
- She didn’t want to depend on the government for assistance so she would work any job she could get. Then she got a good job with benefits and made decent money. She got comfortable and forgot about her dream.
- Then her entire division was laid off.
- Unemployed and depressed, she talked to LA about her life. Expecting sympathy, she got a kick in the behind. “DO something about it”, LA said.
- So, she did.
I listened to my sister talk about the financial hardships and other obstacles that she had to overcome. She talked of being grateful for the support of family and friends. And there she stood, a year later finally realizing her dream. She already has two job offers from different salons. I know she will do well.
The lesson I learned that day was that although your dream may be deferred, you can still achieve it. My baby sister did it.
Congratulations, Victoria. I am so very proud of you.
30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself
Deep thoughts!
Sister Love
This past weekend I got to hang out with my sisters. LA (so called because she lives in Los Angeles) was in town to celebrate her birthday with family. Baby (so called because she is the baby sister; see what I did there?) and I were happy to be a threesome again.
I am the oldest of three girls. I can say that with pride now although that wasn’t always the case. Being the first born has a lot of pressure. I constantly heard how I had to be an “example” for my sisters. How I had to walk a righteous path so that my siblings would clearly see the right way to go. And I tried. God bless my little teenage heart but I did try. I soon realized that my sisters and I are very different. They each have chosen their own paths and I celebrate and support their unique life journeys. Besides, my kids, these are the two people that I have known their entire lives.
As we have all gotten older, I have realized that there is nothing that can compare to a sister’s love. It is a feeling of knowing that at a moment’s notice they will be there for you. I know that I can call on my sisters for anything and without question they will provide whatever I need. They are my best friends.
I tell my two daughters, Princess and Diva, to take care of each other. I tell them, “Friends and boys will come and go, but your sister will always be there.” I pray that they will always have each other. All they have to do is look to me as an example. My sisters and I are now 42, 38, and 32 years old with kids of our own. Sometimes I still see us as those three little girls in the above picture. Sisters that became women and friends.
Chris Paul To The Clippers? Thank Goodness Someone’s Looking Out For Donald Sterling – SBNation.com
As if anything the NBA does nowadays makes any sense, here is further evidence…………..
Chris Paul To The Clippers? Thank Goodness Someone’s Looking Out For Donald Sterling – SBNation.com.
UPDATE: The deal is off! Who is running this league? I think it’s time for David Stern to step down.
When Your Kids Are Bilingual…………..
I am the parent of two teenagers. As part of this mission, I have accepted the responsibility to keep up with the times. I am well versed in Lil’ Wayne, Drake and Trey Songz. I know about Jordans and snapbacks (baseball caps in my day). I understand the capabilities of Facebook, Twitter and iPods. I can text with the best of them. What I don’t understand are the words that are coming out of my kids’ mouth.
This past weekend I hung out my daughters. Princess and Diva (not their real names) are always good company. They joined me as I ran errands and window shopped. It was during this excursion that I learned that my girls are bilingual. The signs were there. They both take Spanish in school. But this language was something different. Example:
Diva: “Mom, I want a camo jacket for Christmas.”
Me: “What’s a camo jacket?”
Diva: “A jacket. All my friends have them.”
Me: “Huh? What is a camo?”
Diva: “Mom, you are so lame. I’ll show you.”
We go to the Sports Authority store and there we find the camo jacket more commonly referred to as camouflage. You know, something a hunter or the military would wear. When they go hunting.
After a quick exit from the store, our conversation continued.
Me: “I’m not buying that?”
Diva: “Why?”
Me: “It’s ugly and I’m not spending my money on it.”
Diva: “You don’t have to like everything I like.”
Me: “That’s true. But I have to like it if I’m buying it.”
Princess (who has been laughing and making comments the entire time): “Hunnerd?”
Me: “What are you saying? Hundred?”
Princess: “No. You say hunnerd.”
Me: “What does that mean?”
Princess: “You know, it means ‘true’ or ‘that’s right’.”
Me: “Then why don’t you just say true.”
Diva: “Mom, you are so lame.”
All of our conversations end with me being labeled “lame”. And I can live with that. At least I know what it means.
What do you think? Do you think speak another language? Any colorful phrases you want to share? I can’t be alone in this.