I decided to live!

So, over the weekend, I threw my inhibitions to the wind, went out and got a nose piercing! I know, who would have thought 31 year old ME would be sporting a nose ring?

I'm not going to tell you that it didn't hurt, because it did. Well, for like 5 seconds. Once it was over, I was like a little kid with a new toy (Well, a toy that I'm not supposed to touch!)! I couldn't believe it! I loved it instantly!

I've been wanting this piercing for a bit now, but have been holding out for various reasons :

** I'm to old
** It's going to hurt

But, as the saying goes, you're only as old as you feel, and I feel great. So after deciding to do it, next came decidong on the day. That was the hard part. I decided it was time this past Saturday. What was I waiting for?

It's an amazing feeling. It's kinda freeing in a way. I love it! It's me! And my hubby says it looks as if it were always there.

I'm not going to let life just pass me by. I'm going to live it, and live it boldly! Oh yeah, and on purpose!

When is it going to be my turn?

Have you ever asked yourself that question?

Don't pretend that you haven't swallowed an entire glass of haterade!! It gets to the best of us. I had a moment earlier this week when I asked myself that question "When is it going to be my turn?" I've never been really patient... maybe I get it from my daddy. It just seemed like great things are happening for people while I just have been feeling stuck. But then, an old friend reminded me, that I have a plan that's just for me. And I thank him for his words.

Here's one of my favorite pick-me-up songs in hard times...



What God has for me, it is for me... I hope you know it too!

What are you doing with your hair this summer?

I saw this post on a hair board I frequent. So I'd thought I'd share here!

Summer is my time to experiment with my hair. I've got a few things I want to perfect and a few things I want to try!

To perfect:
1. Flexirod sets
2. Twist N Curls


To try:
1. Band N Flex
2. Side buns


What hair moves will you make?

So, let me explain...

Yikes!! It's been a minute! Life has gotten to me! I'm sorry! (Insert Jay-Z clip!)

Spring Break happened. Two road trips to Florida in two weeks happened. I'll be so happy to get back to my regular schedule! But then again, in 3 weeks, I'm on the road again! Summer break, where are you? I love my summer breaks because I get to relax, relate and release for two whole months! It does my body and my spirit good! So until then, I'm going to have to find ways to replenish my spirit and keep it together!

The next 5 weeks are going to be fairly busy, but fun! Let's see, there's yoga Saturday, the Inman Park Festival, camping, a Naptural picnic, a veggie brunch, a wedding... Ay, ay, ay!

As week speak, I'm in Cocoa, FL for a wedding.

I'll see you back in Atlanta, honey!

What brings you joy??

Hey honey!

Really, what brings you joy? Have you ever really thought about it? No, not what you like doing... What brings you that all encompassing feeling?

A few years ago, I was asked to lead a retreat for my sorority sisters. At first, I had no idea what I would say to these woman who were 20, 30, 40+ years older than me (I was the youngest by at least 20 years.) So finally I settled on a theme of renewal and joy. I began by asking them to sit for awhile and think about what brings them joy. I even took the time to create my own list (of which I cannot find by the way!) These women, my sisters, my sorors kinda fidgeted around in their seats for a minute. I knew they were wondering 'what the heck were we thinking asking this girl to come in here and lead our retreat?' But they eventually got into it and shared really insightful tidbits of life and joy.

So in lieu of my lost list (hey, it was like 8 years ago!), I'm going to recreate one! Here goes:

1. Doing absolutely nothing.
2. Hanging out with my mom in her bed.
3. Sleeping in.
4. Picnics in the spring.
5. The feeling of sand between my toes on the beach at sunset.
6. Laying in my husband's arms.
7. Setting goals and achieving them.
8. Bubble baths with a glass of wine!
9. Relaxing and laughing with good friends.
10. Getting hugs from my niece.

What brings YOU joy?

My rollerset!

OMG! I went to a salon! I can't tell you the last time I went to a salon! It has been forever! Maybe since I've been natural! Let me tell you about this experience though....

So I arrive at this place, @ 4pm, sandwiched between a antique store and an insurance place.

• I walk in, very friendly receptionist (PLUS!!). I sign in, indicating I want a rollerset. I'm given a slip of paper with my name on it and told to go sit in the waiting room.


• After about 30 minutes (MINUS!!), my number.. yes my NUMBER is called. I'm shown to the sink. I inform the washer girl that I want a rollerset, and under my wig I'm wearing cornrows. "Oh, we charge extra to take down your hair" (MINUS!!) So, I tell her that's ok, I'll take out my own cornrows.


• Then she shampoos my LOOSE hair.. (PLINES!!)Yes, PLINUS... Plus because it's been forever since my scalped has been scratched that good. Minus for washing my hair loose. I normally wash my hair after I've detangled and put in Celie plaits. Washing loose is a disaster!! Tangle city!


• After washing, she places a baggie on my head and ushers me back to the waiting room to.... wait. During this time, my hair is drying.. I could just feel it! (MINUS)


• Almost 40 minutes later (Minus!!) a stylist comes to get me. When she takes off the plastic bag she goes.."0000"... Not "OH" mind you, but "ooo" similar to "eww" (Double MINUS)


• She then proceeds to start combing from the root with a small toothed comb. "I grab her hand and say "Could you use a wide toothed comb, please?" (SUPER MINUS!)


• She eventually realizes that my hair needs moisture and adds mousse and rolls my hair.


• I'm under the dryer, maybe an hour ( I secretly think she just wanted to go home).

But all in all, I'm ok with the results! Hey you can't beat sitting back and letting someone else do your hair for $10.00. And guess what?

I'm going back next Monday.

Living deliberately

Hey honey!


A few months ago, a very good friend of mine stated in her facebook status that she wanted to live deliberately. I liked that statement so much, that I incorporated it into my New Year's Resolutions for '09. Funny things was, I couldn't put into words what it meant at the time, but it resonated with me. But, I think I'm ready now to tackle it's meaning. What exactly does it mean to live deliberately?

It’s an anthem for conscious choice about the life I want live each day. How do I want to live? I want to be present, authentic, courageous, creative and experience joy, love,and pure happiness. I want my values to be reflected in the way I spend my time and in the interactions I have with others.



To live deliberately, (to me), means to get off of the sidelines of your life, refusing to just let things happen. Being proactive! Being authentic (I love that word!)


I want to pursue what brings joy in my life. I want this feeling of freedom, bliss. I want to be true to myslf, loving and honoring me. I want to live deliberately!

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I wanted to live deep and suck all the marrow of life…” –Henry David Thoreau–



Live your life!