The Creators have been so good to me!

Though this post won't be solely dedicated to my fly sistah over at Flytieonline, I need to give her the respect, love and appreciation she deserves. I can't even recall when exactly I found myself drawn to her. Probably the first time I saw something she had created. No, a matter of fact I think I first saw something she created for another sister and I AND to find out who it was putting all that creativity in one garment. Whatever or whenever it was I just know that now I have so much admiration for her and her work. And I think the rest of the world (or whatever part of it that reads this blog) should take note. And if you're feeling really good, go ahead and buy something of hers. I promise you will never regret it!


So just before Thanksgiving I received THE BEST HOODIE ever in the mail. I was ecstatic! See, I had been drooling over her Steppin Razor hoodie for quite some time. And as the Universe would have it I finally have one of my own. Please people forgive me for not having better pictures f the hoodie right now. But as I said before it's about time I openly let her know how much I appreciated not only her generosity, but her thoughtfulness and talent. The hoodie fits perfectly, it's in the most perfect colors a person could make it in. IT'S REVERSIBLE. Yes you heard right! Please somebody pinch me. What I most appreciate about it is the intricate hand stitching details she put into it. I know how much that sucks. But she didn't half ass it. Everything looks so professional and perfect. I only wish she had put her tag on it somewhere. I wouldn't care WHERE, but I would want folks to know immediately it's hers. I *heart* my hoodie.



Once I got it in the mail I immediately put it on. Then I proceeded to wear it three days in a row. Once on the green side and twice on the purple side. Since then I think I wear it at least once a week. Probably more, I just don't want yall knowing how much I repeat clothes. lol

T, thank you so much! I can't tell you enough how much I love this hoodie and how much I appreciate you. You are an amazing designer. Keep doing what you do.

In other stylish deliciousness I bought some fly earring from another etsy shop call www.Lunaversoul.com. People please peep the Dragon Fly Remix!
Take note of the asymmetry. Oh.Em.Gee! I wear these earrings with everything. They are quite the conversation starter. What I appreciate about this seller is that she was more than accommodating to my pesky metal allow sensitivities. And she substituted the hooks with gold plated ones at no additional charge! Go head nah! Excuse me while I rock 'em real hard like:


Also take note of the new hair do. I finally put some braid extensions in my hair. It took me 4 days! It normally would have taken me maybe one full day including breaks for food and bathroom. lol. But I was extremely sick. I had to take a two day break because walking pneumonia would not allow me to move very much. Being ill is no fun at all. And it reminded me once again I need to take care of myself. I was M.I.A. from work and got a late start in my new position in the Training Department. I'm feeling like so much has transpired since my last post. I hardly know where to start! Tis late in the day and I wanted to get these thoughts and such out now before my busy week started up.

I give thanks to my Creator for good friends, good family, LIFE, LOVE and Joy.

Inspired once again

I must make this. I spotted this coat via random googling for crochet wearables more than a year ago. Ran across it again and I still *heart* it very much. I truly believe I can crochet a very similar version of this. My verson would be tweeked a bit. Namely, the bottom trim would be a different stitch pattern. I’m thinking the coat was done using the “top down” method of crochet. Top down is just was it says, the item is worked from the top down. I prefer that method for garments because it provides a better drape, the item can be tried on and sized as you go and there is little to no seaming required. Can you imagine this as a toddler coat? I don’t believe I’d ever WEAR this myself, but I could surely see some lil chica rocking it. How fly.

I've been crocheting bit by bit. I've had a couple of custom orders which are now complete. When this sickness finally decides to leave my body and give me back my energy I hope to work up a few things to add to inventory. I have only a few things left in the store, but that's a blessing since it means someone is buying my creations.

I give thanks to the Creator for the new opportunity unfolding in my life. Amen.

Yes, we can. And did.

I'm proud beyond words to be a black right now. Not too many years ago I was certain that I would never in my lifetime see a day when a person of African decent would become president of the United States. But I am proud (of America) to type today that the time has come.

I don't know that other ethnic backgrounds understand or are able to grasp how deep today is for black Americans. We now have real, tangible hope. Nuff said.

Peace to all tonight. May God's Light continue to shine in your lives.

Feel Like Singing

My lil one has been singing a lot lately. The bug has caught on because I find myself humming and singing to fill the quiet moments. I pray he continues to spread good vibes.

I need some serious rest. Everything is pointing to exhaustion. I know I need to rest but there is always something to do. Isn't that the quintessential dilemma of the black woman? So much to do, so little rest?

This past weekend was so amazing. I had such a wonderful time at the Women's Retreat. I learned that my sisters, mother and I have a bond that many people envy. And I'm honored to be a part of a circle of women who have endured, uplifted and pushed on over the years.

I tried to take lots of pictures. Here are a few:
Prayer before departure.


Being silly with my older sis.


Above is my mother in the foreground.
My older sister and myself enjoying breakfast.


Fellowship with the other young ladies at breakfast.
I made the purple shrug and sash you see above. The vision was my mother's I just found a way to manifest it.
I also made the blouses/tunics above.
More praise dancing.
Symbolic foot washing by an elder.



Enjoy and Bless!

Shutter Click

This is getting kinda fun.

Shutter Click & Chat 10/19 a la Tea & Honey Bread
Food-Tis the season for stews and soups, slow cooking, crock pot filled comforting goodness. What's on your menu? Let's see some food. C'mon, you've got to eat something!

Above are a couple of family favorites. First is some delicious corn soup! The next one is baked tilapia with pineapple mango sauce on the side, brown rice, black beans and fried plantains. That's some good eatin'! That handsome young man is my lil Prince. He LOVES both of those meals. Well, except the plantains. He doesn't like those. What's wrong with that kid??

Children and Voting

The following exchange is real and I could only WISH I was creative enough to make this type of stuff up. My Lil One and his Cousin (we'll call him T) had this discussion over dinner last nite. My Lil One is 7 years old and T is 11.

T is the kiddo in the red. My Lil one is across from him in this picture taken this past Mother's day.

Lil One: T, who you gunna vote for?

T: I can’t vote, I’m not 18 yet.

Me: Well Lil One gets to vote at our polls, they will have a kiddie vote. Maybe ask Nana if they are doing that where she goes to vote.

T: Well can I come with yall to go vote?

Me: I'm not sure if we'll have the time to pick you up. We'll see.

Lil One: T, can’t come vote with us unless he’s voting for Barack Obama.

T: (in shock)

Me: (holding in giggle) honey, you can’t MAKE someone vote for a certain person. He can vote for whoever he wants.

Lil one: Yeah huh! Because if he’s going to be in line with our family he gotta vote for Barack Obama. He can’t stand with our family if he don’t vote for Barack Obama.

Me: Um…

/End Scene

Yall pray for this child. lol. He just wants to see a "brown person who is assertive" be President of the United States of America. I can't say I blame him too much. lol

7 Things About Me

Jewelry RockStar tagged me, so here goes:

1) I usually don't wear deodorant. I started this a few years ago and it's just kinda how I do things. I sweat and get funky like everybody else. But the only person who can tell on a regular basis is my Kingman. That's cuz he's the only one who gets close enough to me to notice that hint of musk. And he has no problem with my natural scent.

2) I no likey spiders. I'm super afraid of them. Something about 8 legs and the thought of them touching me freaks me the heck out. blech! If you want to see me cry like a beeyatch just put a real live spider on me. Actually, don't do that. I may pass out. Yeah it's THAT serious.

3) I never finished college, but am researching a few universities with plans to go back and finish a degree. Albeit not the one I initially started 10 years ago. Most people think I have at least one degree because of the work I do and how schmart um is. They also think that my previous college education was in finance when it totally isn't.

4) I think I have pretty feet. I'm well aware that my toes are chubby, but I think my feet are cute. Especially with nail polish. Awww, wook at 'em!

5) I don't shave my legs. Well actually I shave them every couple of years out of curiosity. I prefer them unshaven and no one notices anyway unless I point it out to them. I enjoy feeling the summer breeze as it makes my leg hairs dance.

6) I have a new found love for pantyhose. I was anti- pantyhose for years and years. I was such a rebel. Now that my company dress code requires that I wear them when I wear a dress or skirt, AND I love rocking dresses and skirts, I have started building quite the collection of opaque tights. It's been an adventure thought because all tights are not created equal. So far my fav are the tights I've worn from Target. Particularly the Merona brand. They are comfy and actually FIT. Yes ma'am that IS a paisley print dress with some navy blue tights and purple pumps. And what?

7) I don't know that I ever want to be legally married. I mean, it sounds good and all, but I just don't want to. I don't know if I feel this way because people keep asking when my Kingman and I will get married. I certainly don't want to do it so that other people feel more comfortable about us living together, raising my son (and hopefully his daughter soon) and having sexual relations. lol. Why do other people care so much? I feel like if I did get married it would be strictly for legal reasons like insurance, or benefits. But we do make a lovely couple don't we?

There, all done! This wasn't as easy as it looks.

Disturbula

I haven't combed my hair in weeks. And I keep telling myself I'm going to do it, but every time I wash this luscious fro, the tiny coils get all soft and springy, I just can't mess 'em up. But at some point I HAVE to do something along the lines of detangling because I don't intend to rock one big loced fro.

I went on a lil road trip this past weekend with some ladies I went to high school with. We visited an apple orchard that also grew raspberries, pumpkins, and grapes. At the orchard we went on a hay ride that actually did not include hay. But the beautiful horses made up for the lack of hay. And I likely would have complained about itchy hay anyway. Later we went to a winery and it was equally as beautiful. Those are two things I intend on doing again with my family before the end of this year. They are suprisingly inexpensive and enjoyable. We had huge amounts of fun and I laughed more than I have in a long time. All the while I could not stop missing my Kingman. I REALLY missed him and looked forward to seeing him once I returned home. Absence really did make my heart grow founder. I even bought him a gift from Victoria's Secret, which he quickly unwrapped and enjoyed. *wink*

My little one seemed to have thought I was in a different continent, rather than a different state. I spend about 5 minutes on the phone with him trying to explain that I'm still in North America and Wisconsin is right next to Minnesota. He kept asking "mom why didn't you take me with you? I wanted to go to another continent, you said you'd take me". How cute and misinformed? Love that kid.

Keep on Pushin’

I read a facebook status with that song in it and It’s been stuck in my head every since. Curtis Mayfield wasn’t playing mayne.

I just need to share a couple of things with. I want to express my deepest and heartfelt gratitude to the Creator for blessing me so wonderfully lately. As always, every need of mine is taken care of, but I’ve been manifesting wants as well. And the Universe hears me and responds. A gracious and lovely sista friend GAVE (yes you read right) me a foam dress form.
And the same day she shipped it out to me, she found another one at an estate sale that’s even better. And she wants me to have it as well. The second one she wants me to pay the same price she got it for at the estate sale. And I’m happy to oblige since it’s only $35!!! I’m elated, to say the least. But tremendously grateful for it all.

I also recently purchased a pair of earrings from a fly shop on etsy called AfriqueLaChic. Well I received them in the mail yesterday along with a second pair as an added bonus. Both pair are majorly fly and fit my style with ease.
On top of all of that I had my annual review at work. My direct supervisor/director had great things to say about me. More importantly he talked about how he has taken notice of how I’ve handled the many changes our company and department have gone through the last year. he also appreciates how I’ve become the “go to” person when problems need solving and work needs to get done quickly and efficiently. It did my heart well because there was a time earlier this year when I felt a little bit taken for granted. But I pray a lot about this job and the opportunities it has afforded me. So, he finally starts talking salary and annual raises. And that’s when he reveals to me that instead of the standard, company-wide 3.5% raise I’m getting much more (can we say 11.5%) of an increase. And I won’t go into exact numbers, but it’s certainly will be a noticeable difference in my next paycheck.

Just blessings all around! I’m a happy and appreciative camper right about now.

All this has got me to thinking today about how I’ve been consciously thinking about the things that I DO want in my life. It’s a continuous effort to stay positive, especially when bad things happen and people around me are in that rut. But I really do try to stay on the positive side of things. I believe more and more that if I fill my heart and mind with what I want I will receive them. And I do this usually through prayer, and just putting it out there. By putting it out there I mean talking about what it is I want for myself and my life. I talk with family and friends about what I want and would like to do. I blog about it. I say it outloud even when no one is listening.




I know the Universe is listening.

Emotional Rollercoaster

Seriously, that's been me the last few weeks. Well the last few days for sure. I'm happy to find solace in my crafting. Unfortunately this digi cam (which will not speak ill of since it was gifted to me) is having issues with the flash feature. So all the pictures I've been trying to take come out dark. I've started new scarf designs that I can't even share with the www.
*cries*

I'm so proud of 'em too. I've gotten the hang of the button hole feature on my sewing machine. And now I want to put button holes on everything. This sewing thing is mad fun. Tis a shame I waited so long to indulge myself in it's thready goodness. I forgive myself though.


If only it were so simple to forgive myself for other things. I seriously need to lighten up when it comes to self expectations. I know we are our own worst critic. But there are times I take it too a whole new level. And as I type this in the dark, in my dining room there is a lil mosquito type bug stuck on the lap top screen. I know it's not a mosquito for real, but I don't know wtf it is. It's annoying, that's for sure.

Yeah, your girl is coming up on 5 years at her current employer. I already know what my raise is gunna be. It ain't much, but it's mine. And I'm very grateful to even have a job right now because I know of other people who are struggling something serious. And today I read an interesting blurb about a former employer of mine buying a former potential employer. And I smiled inside knowing that the peace I felt when the former potential employer thing didn't pan out was something real. The Universe was truly on my side. And in my heart I didn't really want the job so in a way I willed it not to happen. My spirit just told me that place was not the place for me.

My lil Prince got another 100% on his second spelling test! He's a lil genius. Although I think the spelling words were a bit easy. They were just the days of the week. But imagine my delight when he already knew how to spell Wednesday. I'm so proud of how he's making a very conscious effort to do well in school. He actually enjoys challenging himself. I pray that drive stays in him forever and ever amen. Tomorrow his class and the other 2nd grade class are taking a field trip to a local college. I'll be going along to help keep the kids from getting lost. My lil Prince is super excited about visiting a real college campus. I'm excited for him.

Well, hopefully pictures will be forthcoming. I need those pictures in order to list them and sell them in my shop! Argh!

Oh, and I think I may go with the goldish, yellow color suggestion by flytie for the set to match my purple peacoat!

For a limited time only

After stalking the etsy treasury for the last three nights I have successfully made it in!
First Time for Everything

Hurry now kids, it's for a limited time only. Some of my favorite shops are in there. Flytie got a shot out for that gorgeous Tunic Dress she recently made. I *heart* it!

I've been pretty tired, and this freezing office temperature doesn't help. The moon phase gives me a little hint as to why I'm feeling this way.

I haven't crocheted a thing in the last few days. I kinda want some new yarn tho. lol. Think I'll work on finishing the crown I started a week or so ago.

100% Pure Love

My lil Prince scored a 15 out of 15 on his very first spelling test. We told him he could get a special treat when we went to the grocery store. He proudly selected some Cheeto’s Hot Fries. lol. That child loves some spicy food.

In the last week I have sold two items! I am very proud of myself, but feeling the pressure to create more. It has been on the back burner the last few days since I’ve been making it a point to do some fall cleaning and organizing on the home front. Today I plan to fold all the clothes recently washed, and organize my sewing table which also sits in the dining room. I do believe I need more storage bins for my yarn and fabric. But for now I’ll have to work with what I’ve got. I need to get over this urge to save every little scrap of fabric. Much like I use to do with yarn. It just kinda piles up into a heap of confusing tidbits of projects (some gone bad) and it can get overwhelming. My mood is affected by my environment. And a cluttered or messy environment irritates me to no end. So the plan is to organize all this stuff and eventually get more storage containers so I can KEEP it organized.

I’ve been thinking about things I’d like to add to my winter wardrobe. Fortunately I’m already set as far as jackets and coats. I still have my lovely purple trench style pea coat. Which I still absolutely adore. But I’m trying to figure out what direction as far as color that I’d like to go with a hat, scarf and mittens. Last yearn I wasn’t exactly coordinating. I wore my coral pashmina scarf (which I still have and love wearing) and made some off white arm warmers. I plan to go the arm warmer route again since the sleeves on the coat are still too short. But the choice of color is stumping me. I could just go with a winter white again, or I can step it up with another color that would pop. Maybe a very light purple or stick with the coral so I don’t have to make a scarf? I may go yarn shopping today during my lunch break to see what I can find. I’m thinking wool is the way to go for this winter.

I’m definitely on the look out for more cardigans. They seem to go perfectly over my dresses for added warmth. I wear cardigans year round because the office STAYS cold. I’m sitting her now (yes, blogging at work) with cold hands. I have a pair of cheap gloves that I sometimes wear to get my fingers warm again.


So I was blog hopping and came across a blogger who kept posting picture of her Bento http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bento . Now first off had no idea what the heck a Bento was, but I loved how it had the lil compartments for everything and figured it would be a great way to maintain proper portion sizes for food.

I was thinking, man I’d love to have a dish like her lil Bento thingy. Well come to find out a Bento basically a single portion mean that traditionally contained, rice, meat and veggies. I’m like HELLO! Great idea, you Japanese folks. Lol. But seriously, I want one. I know there are various Tupperware contraptions that have the lil compartments to separate food. I think I may just buy one of those. Right now I usually have bunch of different plastic containers and sandwich bags to hold my lunches in. It can be cumbersome to remember everything and getting it to fit just right in my work bag. But the Bento seems like something I should have to maybe streamline my whole lunch packing process. So I’m on the look out for something Bento-like to fill that void in my life.

But what I really want to know is, what ever happened to Crystal Waters?

Out of Focus

This afternoon I logged onto my email and saw that I made an etsy sale! It felt so good to see that. I'm hopeing I can complete at least one more piece this weekend to post in my shop. It's tempting to spend the proceeds from this sale on stuff I'd like for myself on etsy. But my master plan includes cycling the money from sales back into the shop. I plan to purchase more yarn and some other items I've been wanting. I'd love to have some fabric tags made to include in my crochet items.

Man, I just had a total brain freeze. I stared typing out this post wanting to make it about my shop and the stuff that's in the works and I'm sitting here unable to focus. I suppose it's time to get some kind of rest. Something I've been lacking as of late. Even when I go to bed at a decent time i have a hard time getting to sleep. I figure my body will force me to sleep properly at some point. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.

I think I'll brose some etsy shops until I fall asleep...

I Voted Today

I finished a really cool looking beanie today and am now debating on if I should list it in the store. It's a monotone blue skully/ beanie style hat I'm sure some dude may like. HOWEVER I got to the end and was ready to crochet in the elastic and discovered I misplaced the last bit of elastic. WTF? I'm typically a "place for everything, everything in its place" type of gal. Even when things are a mess I meticulously put things as important as elastic in its proper place because I know I'll need it again. Well I cannot find it in the usual places and that sucks monkey balls right about now. Cuz this crown is real fly and I want to share it with the world.

Methinks I'll have to go to the craft store at some point this week or weekend and pick up a couple of things. I discovered that I have almost a whole mini skein of hot pank cotton yarn. Oh joy! How cool would a hot pink cloth set be?

So as I browse some of the shops on etsy I notice this shocking trend of folks selling "vintage" goods and charging retail (or more) prices. What is the deal with that? Clearly they have rummaged through thrift stores, garage and estate sales to find this stuff. And when did the 1990's become "vintage"? What bothers me is I know some of those dresses I see listed for $60 only cost the person about $9 but they are selling it for sooo much more. To me it's a rip off. I'd rather get off my ass and go find the stuff in the thrift store myself. I enjoy the whole experience anyway so maybe I'm just not a good target market for their "vintage" finds. But I cannot justify paying $60 for a polyester dress that cost the seller no more than $10 to purchase themselves.

So while I sit here typing out this rant about overpriced vintage goods I've considered selling thrifted items in my own shop. I believe myself to have a great eye for thrifted treasures and would love to have another avenue to share that with peoples. I mean, let's be honest, folks seeing me wear the gear is not as fun as them being able to wear it themselves.

As I contemplated a way to avoid being one of those sellers that I just ranted about I figured I'd just charge a flat fee plus the actual cost to me to purchase the item. For instance if I found a fly dress for just $4 I would list the item in my shop for the $4 plus $20 (not sure yet if that will be the amount) for my time, energy, and amazingly great eye for vintage deliciousness. I still keep a decent margin and I won't feel like i'm cheating someone. And if I end up offering this "service" via my etsy shop, I may also prewash each piece before selling it. That way the buyer gets fresh smelling clothes and know if it's actually stained or not. I tend to leave stained clothes alone anyway. I've learned over the years to avoid anything stained at the thrift store because it usually won't come out.

Hater's Ball

I was browsing a popular hair site among natural haired black women and came across a thread discussing a youtube video. To summarize what I personally gathered from the video, there is a lil voice inside us that stifles our creativity. That voice shall henceforth be called the lil hater.


Now the preceding video, while insanely hilarious to me is right on point with how I've been feeling lately about my blog and my creativity. I figured, it had been so long since I had blogged that I better show some pictures, but then I was having issues with getting interesting and relevant pictures and that spiraled into more than a month of not posting. And during that time I had plenty to talk about. I have maybe two unpublished posts sitting there, well, unpublished because I felt like they weren't good enough.

I primarily get these thoughts out for myself. Something about seeing them in writing helps me sort through it all. And something about sharing them makes me feel a little bit more free and light spirited. But I certainly don't want it to become a chore or pressing obligation that causes me to procrastinate because I don't feel my blog post will be good enough. Self reflection would quickly tell me that it matters not what other people think, but how it makes ME feel typing all this stuff out and pressing "PUBLISH POST".

I've finally posted some updates in the esty shop. Which you can most certainly browse (and buy if you like) at the following link: www.BreathofLight.etsy.com

I'm proud of every item I made in that shop and hopefully someone else loves them as much as I do. I'm tempted to post about some recent etsy convos I've had over the last weekend. But I won't because I told myself that after I told my homegirl, that I was done and just needed to vent about it. lol. But yeah, that's on my mind and does the reader of this no good at all to keep referencing it and not explaining. I've digressed.






So I'm more excited as the weather cools about my Fall and Winter inventory. Oh, it has yet to be completed. But the crochet bug has certainly hit and ideas are flowing and eventually spilling out over balls of soft, purty wool yarn. I *heart* wool yarn now. When I first started crocheting I told myself I wouldn't become a yarn snob and buy all that expensive wool and natural fiber yarn. But now I can't help it. Cotton and wool yarn are just so practical when it comes to crocheting garments of any kind. And there are always wool blends (which I use most) that allow you to wash the item without accidentally felting and shrinking it. Cool beans huh?

Speaking of beans... (peep that transition) I've recently developed this intense appreciation for black beans. And I have a particular fondness for black beans and corn. And not that canned or frozen stuff. I'm talking about buying up corn on the cob, peeling all that hairy stuff (the name escapes me now) off, cutting the kernels off and cooking them up. OMGoodness! Talk about some tasty sweet corn that goes with just about everything. Especially black beans. Now I DO buy the black beans in a can. And I have realized all canned black beans are not made equal. Lawd that's a horrible pun, intended or not. But they aren't and GOYA is the worstest. It's like 50/50 actual black beans and then mushy filler. And all that filler (whatsenever it is) gets wasted because I always rinse my canned black beans thinking it helps reduce he sodium content. Why for so much salt to preserve food? I'm thinking soon I'll just buy some dry black beans. I buy all my other beans dry. This wouldn't be much different, right?

Anyways, the fam had some delicious veggie quesadillas tonight. I'm all cheesed out dude. But I don't feel as guilty cuz I threw in some corn (yes ma'am), black beans, spinach, yellow and red bell peppers, and cilantro. So it was sorta balanced if you disregard the high cheese content. But that's what quesadillas are, right?

Getting in the Way

Frequently life gets in the way of blogging. Interestingly enough, it rarely gets in the way of READING other blogs. Flytie has been whipping up some amazingly beautiful pieces even though she keeps warning us that she’s in a funk. I wish I was in THAT sort of funk! Neosew Mama’s little princess started “big girl” school and had a fun filled first day. I’m sooo looking forward to seeing what kinds of school lunches she puts together. I could always use some creative ideas for my lil one.

Today I picked up some wool yarn to start some hats for winter inventory. As of late I’ve been getting emails and messages inquiring if I’ll still be selling items this coming cold season. Indeed I am! And those messages are motivation to go ahead and get started. I’ve used up most of my cotton yarn making face clothes, and still need to figure out some kind of project to use up my scrap acrylic yarn. Maybe some scrap yarn slippers???

I've purchased some wool blend yarn in some very basic colors and have started a heather gray slouchy tam. I can tell already it's going to be so cute. I better not keep it for myself.

It's the end of summer, going into fall. I've finally gotten a bike. I've had a chance to ride it a couple of times and look forward to much more time riding it next summer. I wonder if it's a good idea to keep it outside in the shed all winter. We have a large storage closet in the apartment but that's not heated anyway so it would still have to fair the winter chill. I'll have to ask Cussin' Crafter about that since her hubster is a bike expert.

As I start spending more time inside due to the cold weather I hope to have more frequent blog updates. And more pictures of course. I love pictures! And I don't have any good excused now since I have a digi cam.

Afterwards

I finally uploaded the video from the lil one's birthday celebration. I'm the highly underpaid videographer (sp?) threatening the impatient party goers to give my baby a chance to think of his wish.



ANNNNND... I've started something with that skirt from my previous post.

I've turned a (wool?) skirt into a (wool?) purse!Yeah check out that pocket action. I decided to keep the pockets on the skirt as outside pockets on the purse. This makes for easy cell phone access. The original lining looked nice so that stays as well.

I still think it's missing something. I'm thinking some type of embellishment. I grabbed a book on how to sew flower embellishments from the library this past weekend. So hopefully something there will inspire me to make some additions. And I'm not totally sure I'm satisfied with the strap. I'm thinking that maybe some metal rings to connect the straps or something else. It's a work in progress.

I've been having these instances of deja vu quite frequently over the last week. I remember reading a year or so ago, that it is believed by some that deja vu is the Universe's way of letting us know we are doing exactly what we should be doing in that moment. I have had these visions in a while and I'm elated to be having them again.

God, I give thanks for the beautiful life I've been blessed with. Thank you for the positive manifestations in my life. Thank you for the positive energy that surrounds me and is in me. I pray that I can give it back to the universe in some way.

Lucky 7

Last night I made tomato basil soup with garlic bread and a fresh baby greens salad. It looked delicious! And apparently tasted the same way according to the family. I passed on dinner because I had a hearty lunch (compliments of the boss) and wasn’t very hungry. I made dinner and headed upstairs for a great workout. It’s been a week and my body was feeling the difference of inactivity for so many days.

This morning I’m enjoying a juicy orange at my desk. I had tea at home and a homemade chocolate chip cookie my coworker’s mom made once I got in. lol. Ok, not the most nutritionally balanced breakfast, but it did the trick. Technically doesn’t the orange balance it out? I know I must be careful of telling myself “oh I worked out so I can just have this deliciously over sized piece of peach cobbler my Kingman made”. It’s not okay, especially if not eaten in moderations. Fortunately I have a great dinner meal plan for this week. Tonight I’m making bow tie pasta with alfredo sauce and shrimp. I plan to add some fresh broccoli, zucchini and bell peppers to the meal for added flavor. It will be delish!

My little one turned 7 this past Monday. We gave him a party on Saturday to celebrate. The kids had bbq hot dogs and chicken wings. My little one helped me back cupcakes and make fruit kabobs. He even picked out the fruit. I truly wish I had pictures of the kabobs, they looked so delicious! And the kids love them in the hot summer weather because the fruits are so juicy and cold. We used honey dew melons, cantaloupe, pineapple and strawberries. The kids decorated their own cupcakes with whipped cream and sprinkles. My little one felt so special to have family celebrating the day of his birth, and he SHOULD feel special. My mother bought him a plant as a present and he was elated. The last plant he had in his room died. It was a bromeliads and it may have been a bit overzealous to think he could take care of that plant. I have a hard time keeping MINE alive. I have 3 bromeliads left of 5. But this plant is pretty simple as far as care.

I’ve been having dreams lately that center on a lot of the things that I want in my life. In my waking hours I’ve started to just spend time visualizing exactly what it is I want in all aspects of my life. I will continue to consciously attract into my life the things that I so desire and I believe they will manifest. I've been noticing things happening in my life that are confirming I'm somewhere near the right path so I'm trusting my intuition more.

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YMIB is such and inspiring online site for women. If you are a woman, particularly of African Descent you should at least browse the site. So much information, love, creativity and LIGHT is there I have to visit the site daily.

Today I was browsing the posted blogs and came across some information about a program that helps young women gain access to better menstrual products. It's called Goods4Girls. I hope to make some cloth pads soon to donate to this wonderful cause.

THRIFTY GOODNESS! I keep meaning to post pictures of these great clothes I find while thrift shopping. Most of my wardrobe is thrifted stuff so I guess it would seem like a stretch for me to take pictures EVERYDAY since I love mixing up the pieces I find. Check out this snazzy knit vest I bought for just $2!!! The shirt, belt and skirt were also thrifted.

I've also been playing around with the sewing. I refashioned some old jeans into a long skirt. I used some stretchy fabric with pretty flower detailing for the panels. I am quite proud of this piece. It's perfect for the summer. The halter was a refashioned tshirt fro m last year. Stay tuned to see what I do with the skirt!