by admin | May 12, 2013

A Little Gratitude on Mother’s Day

I’m thankful that I had a mother who did everything she could to take care of her girls.

I’m so thankful I have a father that loved my mother until her end…and still loves her.

I’m thankful that I have four amazing sisters who I miss everyday, and make me laugh hysterically.

I’m so thankful that I have two nieces who, even though they don’t want to have a sleepover at my house, get excited when they talk to me on FaceTime.

I’m thankful for my brand new nephew who has the silliest smile I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to hold him again.

I’m thankful for my three children who have given my purpose and made my world make sense to me.

I’m thankful for a husband who loves God and shows patience with me each and every day.

And I’m thankful to my readers who come back to this blog repeatedly, even though I sometimes post my mundane, unhappy thoughts. Thank you for sticking with me through my ups and downs.

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Tagged as losing a parent, suffering the death of a parent, the death of a mother

by admin | May 7, 2013

The Never Ending Story

I am currently writing my next novel. I had hopes of it being release by the first of August. But my self-imposed deadline is quickly vanishing because the planned 10 chapter book has turned out to be 16 chapters…and I’m not done with it yet. Tomorrow, I return to my laptop to begin chapter 17.

I love this story and I know readers will enjoy it. But I’m TIRED of it. A few years ago I had a chance to talk to one of my favorite authors. I asked her when she’d write a sequel to her book, Zora’s Cry. She said to me “Zora’s on my nerves!” I didn’t understand what she meant then. But I totally understand now.

Once you dedicate so many months to a character and its plot, some writer’s may begin to feel trapped by the story. They may desperately need to focus their attentions on something other that the characters that have taken up so much of their time. This is how I’m feeling at this very moment. Thus, here is an open letter to my title character…..

Dear Ms. Greenley,

I was such a big fan of yours. The excitement I felt for you was parallel to none. You came to me in the blink of an eye and within minutes I had already written the first chapter. I cheered for you. I anxiously struck the keyboard composing words in anticipation of what would occur next.

You were my hero. But now, sixteen chapters later, I need your story to end. My mind has mapped out the beautiful denouement of your life, but my fingers have gone awry. I can’t stop typing. This story has gotten out of control. I’ve lost my way.

I’ve often struggled with writer’s block. But never, until now, have I experienced writer’s diarrhea. The words just keep flowing and flowing and flowing. You are on my nerves, Ms. Greenley. And I need you to stop!

Kind Regards,

The Author

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Tagged as the writing process, writer's block, writing a book

by admin | May 6, 2013

I Kinda, Sorta Hate My Glasses

Do these frames make me look smart? Yes, I think they do. Admittedly, I hated them when I first tried them on.

I had already gone through about twenty different pairs. And nothing suited my fancy. I put these Coach frames on my face and the sales lady in the optometrist office goes crazy.

She talked about how well they fit my face and how great they look on me. Well, they did feel good…and I guessed I could live with them for the next 12 months until my next eye appointment.

My daughter got new frames as well and she loves them. She was very careful with her selection because the optometrist said that she MUST wear her glasses everyday (she didn’t do so well on her eye exam).

So, I told her to pick a pair of frames that she REALLY likes because she will be wearing them to school no matter what.

We are both very happy with our choices. What do you think?

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Tagged as Coach eye wear, optometrist appointment, shopping for new glasses

by admin | May 5, 2013

Who Are Your Competitors?

A little over a week ago I had the pleasure of attending a one day social media conference organized by Lamar and Ronnie Tyler and Stacey Ferguson called The Takeaway. This conference was life changing.

For the past few years I’ve been a “blogging for fun” blogger. But as the years went by I began to have this nagging feeling that there needed to be a shift in my thinking. Something had to change.

I realized that I had devoted so much time and energy to my brand that it was past time for me to “stop playing” (as Lamar so aptly put it). So, I began to focus more on the business side of blogging. And this conference was exactly what I needed.

There is no way I can sum up the wonders of The Takeaway in one post. But I must mention one of the many things that stuck with me as I listened to the presenters.

Brand expert and founder of Emotional Nudity and Edge Brand Academy, Jai Stone, gave an awesome, lively presentation dedicated to enhancing our personal brands.

Jai made the following comment, “You don’t need to compete. But you need to know what your competitors are doing.”

Wow! So I ask you… with whom are you competing? Or are you using your competitors as motivation to be better? Leave a comment to let me know.

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Tagged as blogging as a business, The Takeaway

by admin | May 3, 2013

Just A Little Fashion Tutorial

My children….I’m not sure why they follow me around the house recording my every move. (Where would they get THAT idea?) But since my daughter wanted a show, I happily obliged.

Too Many Kids. Too Little Time.

Mothers are pulled in so many different directions. It can be quite difficult to get your bearings. And with all the end-of-the-school year activities, the demands on parents are sometimes multiplied.

In the upcoming weeks I have three awards programs, one graduation and two field day activities to attend. All of these events occur at various locations. Sadly, a few of them occur on the same day-at the same time.

So, what’s a mother to do? How do I choose which events to attend? How do you break the news to my children who emphatically wants me present at ALL of their events?

Then there’s the issue of my job. How do I break the news to my boss that I’ll miss four to five workdays over the next two weeks?

This is not a good situation. I’m biting my nails trying to figure this one out. What do you do when you run the risk of disappointing your beloved children? How would you handle this situation?

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Why I Don’t Like Going To Church

Over the past two years I’ve shied away from church. Come Saturday afternoon, I begin the silly process of talking myself out of attending church services the following day.

Lately, I’ve stopped making excuses and simply said “I’m not going.” I sit at home on Sunday mornings and watch my beloved Melissa Harris Perry on MSNBC.

But if I’m honest to myself, I’ll admit that the real reason I don’t like going to church is because sitting in the pews, listening to the preacher talk about Heaven, God, Jesus dying on the cross; watching the choir sway back and forth to the strike of the piano keys; seeing the church members shout across the floor, all make me very sad.

It should be a joyous time; something I treasure, something that gives me peace. But I feel no comfort when I’m in church. I feel no joy. I sit and stare into the distance thinking about my momma. On June 12, 2011, one day before my birthday, she left me. She left all of us.

I still have an inclination every day to pick up the phone and call her. Then I remember the terrible fact that she’s gone. Someone told me years ago that you never get over the loss of a parent. I can’t imagine feeling like this for the rest of my life.

Sometimes I go to bed really early so I can spend the entire night dreaming about her. I’m so happy in my dreams. But when I wake up, my sadness starts all over again and I begin to create excuses not to attend church on Sunday.

Have you lost a loved one? What are some ways you’ve coped with your loss?

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Tagged as going to church, mourning the loss of a mother, suffering the death of a parent, suffering the loss of a parent, the death of a mother, when a parent dies

by admin | April 28, 2013

My Husband is Amazing

Clearly I don’t give Mr. Incredible the credit he deserves. Many married couples spend time complaining about their significant other.

We focus on the things our spouse isn’t doing or secretly wish he/she would move to a far away island (oh, is that just me?).

But really, folks, God gave me the absolute best husband! He is so kind, caring and patient. And to live with someone like me, you MUST have patience!

I watched my husband as he laid on the floor playing a game of Candy Land with our four year old. I was so proud of him for turning off the basketball game and focusing on Baby Jack Jack. I know he wasn’t really interested in the board game, but our boy wanted to play. So my husband dropped everything and played.

Now I know it’s no great feat to play Candy Land with your child. But I’m so thankful that my husband is a man who takes care of his family. We are his priority and he does everything he can to ensure that we are provided for and protected.

I’m so thankful. So, let me get off this blog and show him how much I appreciate him. Ahem!

Do you have an amazing partner? What ways do you show your appreciation?

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Tagged as Baby Jack Jack, board games, Candy Land, Dad playing board games, Mr. Incredible

by admin | April 23, 2013

The Pillow Fight

I’m so glad I caught this on camera. I always have a great time with my family. But watching our antics on video makes me buckle over in laughter! Enjoy!

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Tagged as dad playing with kids, Mr. Incredible, The Pillow Fight

by admin | April 21, 2013

Redefining Myself

For the past eleven years when people have asked me what I do, I’ve answered with pride “I’m a teacher”. There was one time being a teacher brought me an immense amount of joy and satisfaction. I used to, and still think, that teaching is the greatest, most noble profession there is.

Growing up, I’d sit and listen to my parents tell stories about their daily classroom adventures. I’d watch as my dad graded papers at the dining room table. I’d spend my summers in my mom’s classroom while she taught summer school in Summerton, South Carolina.

I wanted to be like them. I wanted to have a classroom all my own and be able to share my daily adventures with my parents and sisters. I have now collected over a decade of stories. I’m responsible for the education of hundreds of fascinating young people, many of whom I am still in contact with today.

But now, my personal paradigm has shifted. While I still believe that teaching is a noble career, my passion for it has diminished. And since publishing my book my focus is no longer on my classroom, but my next novel.

It scares me to think that one day soon, when someone asks me what I do, I won’t be able to tell them that I teach. But it gives me such a rush of pride to know that I can, instead, tell them “I’m an author”.