Thursday, April 30, 2009

Snippets from my latest novel, "Spring Cleaning"

Mama made sure I had a home cooked meal before she went to work on the pm shift.  I didn’t know what a Happy Meal at Mickey D’s was until I was a teenager.  She also got up every morning before school to cook breakfast.  Some days I ate buttermilk biscuits with sausage and eggs, other days I had cinnamon toast on whole wheat.  Cereal was something I ate on weekends.  She wasn’t one to get on educational kicks, Mama was a spiritual warrior.  She always said, “your father may have book sense but I’ve got common sense.”  Every Sunday morning my behind was in Sunday school.  Later for Sunday morning worship, I had to sit still and listen to scriptures and parables and analogies that I couldn’t comprehend.  There were Sundays when I found myself counting the number of lights inside the sanctuary, or how many people were in the choir. I giggled whenever Elder Mary caught the Holy Spirit and even counted the number of times she did.  Talking and clowning during services was out of the question and when I slipped up, Mama had pincers for fingers.  She pinched me so hard tears came to my eyes.

One day during my fifth grade year I was given a homework assignment.  I had to ask my parents if they could remember their best Christmas from childhood.  I started with my dad.  He remembered being one of the first to get a really nice bicycle for Christmas.  I asked my mother and she sat there quietly.  “You don’t remember getting a doll?”  I asked, “A pair of skates, anything?”  She let out a tired sigh and a tear rolled down her cheek. 

            I wish I had known then what I know now.   I never would’ve been insensitive.  Had I known years later that My Grandfather, her father was the one who made decent money but never made his children’s welfare his priority, I would have never asked.  I’m sure it brought back terrible memories of her coming home from school, the oldest girl, caring for her four younger brothers and sisters.  My Grandmother worked at a dry cleaners, on her feet all day, starching and pressing white people’s clothes.  Instead of my mother coming home to do homework she had to cook, clean and take care of her brothers and sisters.

            She told me once she asked Grandmother if she could take piano lessons.  They were only a nickel.  Grandmother told her she didn’t have time that she needed to cook and clean up the house and care for her brothers and sisters.  My mother wanted to play the saxophone.  This time she asked Grandpa, who made money managing a blues band, running a nightclub, and hauling timber.  He told her no, she needed to be home to cook and clean and take care of her younger brothers and sisters.  She did all this caring, cooking and cleaning from the time she was eight years old and no one even bothered to give her a Christmas present.

            So for her 50th birthday I made sure it would be a day that she would always remember.  She flew first class on a 777 to New York City.  Even when she was tipsy and giggling when she couldn’t grasp the buttons on her recliner, she conducted herself with class.  I felt good doing something nice for her for a change.  

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

My Aunt Emma














When my mom had complications after giving birth to me,  Aunt Emma was the first person to bring me home from the hospital.  The pictures, though faded over the years are still in my baby book.  In 1973 she was diagnosed with cancer and over the years she battled it and won every time.  Just when we thought she'd given up she'd bounce right back and go on as if nothing even happened.  She never complained.  She was independent, and feisty.  She never bit her tongue when it came to saying something to help you.  Last year, for example I asked her what she thought about my baby shower she said it was nice but that I needed to wear a bra and a girdle.  She said, "You don't want your boobs to sag and you don't want to carry the extra stuff around your waist."  She had a reputation for telling you just how it was and if you didn't know her you'd think she was being mean-spirited.  No, she was far from it.  

Well last Friday, April 24, she went home to be with the Lord.  I know she is in heaven checking out the angels and making sure their halos are on straight.  We'll miss her but we know she's in a much better place.  I love you Aunt Emma, tell Mama Irene and Cousin Booley I said hello.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Needing A Colonic in the Worst Way

I may gross some people out but the name of this blog is whatever comes to mind.  Right now I am needing a colonic in the worst way.  It's been two years since my last one.  I was on a roll getting them once a month until I got pregnant.  For those of you who are wondering, what is she talking about?  Let me feel you in on what a colonic entails (no pun intended).  A colonic is the infusion of water into the rectum by a colon therapist to cleanse and flush out the colon. The colon therapist inserts a disposable speculum into the anus.  The speculum is connected to a long disposable plastic hose which is connected to a colon hydrotherapy unit.  Warm, filtered water is released into your colon and the warm water causes the muscles of the colon to contract. You don't smell a thing but you can look through a clear hose and see mounds of feces leaving your body.  You may feel some cramping but the colon therapist is there to lightly massage your abdomen during the process.  My colon therapist goes a step further and massage my feet.  A typical session may last 45 minutes. When it's over you feel like a million bucks.  If you get enough of them you actually lose inches around your stomach.   

What are the benefits to getting a colonic?

To remove accumulated waste from the colon
To help prevent constipation
To improve overall health

Don't get it confused with getting an enema.  Colonics clean the entire part of the colon, enemas only clean the lower part of the colon.  

You be amazed how much waste is trapped inside of you, your colon is essential because it's there where your immune system resides and if you have waste there then you're susceptible to diseases such as cancer.

While I'm at it, I'm giving my therapist a call, because I am long overdue.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Trying Not to Pull My Hair Out

I was away from my daughter for four days.  On our first full day together she wakes up fussing and crying.  She didn't want to eat.  She barely lasted through her nap.  I checked her temperature twice to see if she was running a fever and it was normal.  I try holding her next to me to comfort her and she's squirming and falling into tantrums.  I take her outside to get some fresh air and that doesn't work.  Right now I'm trying not to pull my hair out.  She's in her baby bed still crying her eyes out.  I think those four days she spent with grandma may have something to do with it.  See grandma will hold her and coddle her and fix her gourmet meals.  Me, on the other hand, I'm trying to make her more independent.  I prepare her meals that are edible...but gourmet?  

Am I a bad parent for not picking her up every time she cries?  Will I be turned in if I don't cook her gourmet meals?  I'm trying my best not to pull my hair out.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

BIG BANG MY A--

As I crisscross the globe traveling from Anchorage, Alaska to Beijing, China I can't help but stop and admire all of GOD's beauty.  HE made the mountains, the trees, the skies and the seas.  There are times when I've walked outside and stood on the balcony, closed my eyes and smelled the salt from the ocean.  I've seen many a sun rise and set.  Picked all kinds of exotic flowers. Had snow fights in Providence, and walked barefoot on white sandy beaches in Aruba.  When I sit and think about all this I say Big Bang My A--.  This is all God's work and HE even took a day off to sit back and admire it.  

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Is it okay for someone else to discipline your child?

I strongly believe in that great African proverb: It takes a village.  While watching television there was a segment entitled, "Is it okay for someone else to discipline your child?"  Some parents said yes, if they knew the person.  Some parents didn't mind at all.  One parent said, NO, people should mind their own business.  I'm not that old but I still remember getting discipline by other people if I acted up.  I was a bad-assed child who was all over the place.  Nowadays you're classified ADD, but during my day your behind was just BADD.  I remember having to pick my switch out of the tree, I remember leather (TDC prison made) belts, I even remember getting pinched. Just the thought of getting pinched NOW makes my flesh crawl.  My mother didn't mind other people disciplining me.  I'm a much better person because of it.  Now that I'm a mother, I would want someone to discipline my child WHEN SHE ACTS UP.  Some people may say, "Gee Wendy, she's just a child, let her be a child."  It's not cute when a 3 year-old calls you the B-word, trust me I've seen it. I can't help it if I'm old school.  Trust me they have places for children who are not disciplined. 

So What

Everyone makes a big deal out of nothing these days.  I was watching television and the reporters were making a big deal on Obama and Chavez.  America better be glad it has a leader who's extending an olive branch instead a clenched fist.  Eight years of that nonsense was enough and you see where that lead us.  And why does Obama have to be the AntiChrist?  Read the bible closely and you will see that the AntiChrist originates from the Middle East.  Obama is from Hawaii.  Look it up on the globe.  

Leave those gummy bears alone

This morning I woke up from a terrible dream.  I dreamed the planet had between taken over by gremlin-like creatures and everywhere I looked they were multiplying.  There were so many they were literally bursting all over the place.  After getting a drink of water, I realized I had to make a decision...No more eating gummy bears before falling asleep.  I heard someone mention that if you eat something sweet or something terrible like a pork sausage link sandwich before you go to bed that you will have crazy dreams.  Have you heard this?  There must be some truth to it because once before I went to sleep after emptying a small bag of pork skins...I had an awful dream.  Is God trying to tell me something?  Yes He is.  He's telling me to stop eating all that nonsense. PERIOD.  Your body is a temple.  Leave those gummy bears alone.  And what did I tell you about pork.  Come on now....

Monday, April 20, 2009

Loving Every Minute

When you're dealing with an energetic 11 month old you try to write when you get the time.  It seems like the only time I can get anything done is during the wee hours of the morning.  What's so funny is when I'm in a coma like sleep that's when her little behind wakes up and I mean she stands to her feet and leans over her bed and yells out, "Mom, Dad, anybody, change my diaper, feed me...get me back to sleep." People say your life changes when you have a child.  Mine has done a complete 360.  It used to be about me.  Can you say NOT ANYMORE.  When I go shopping, forget about getting myself anything, I'm walking straight to the children's section, I'm scoping out the dresses, the socks, shoes, and accessories, before I know I've racked up a bill as long as the Nile.  A lot of moms can relate, we usually sigh when we see the bill but that doesn't mean anything when you see the joy on their faces.  That's when you realize the greatest reward in the world is being a super duper mom and right now I'm loving every minute of it.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Having Fun in New Orleans

I'm back at work and it's the second week on the job and I've just flown with the most interesting crew.  We start our afternoon off with Pinot Noir and a platter of fried calamari.  The conversations vary from exchange students in France, from the President of the United States to sulfites in our wine (pretty interesting, huh?)

Monday, April 13, 2009

I'm fed up

What does the Easter Bunny have to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ?  Before I did the research, I was guilty of referring to the resurrection as "Easter Sunday."  Easter is a pagan ritual that deals with fertility.  Just like Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the winter solstice.  (google...The Plain Truth About Christmas).  I'm fed up with Christians referring to Christ's resurrection as Easter.  Easter has absolutely nothing to do with Christ rising from the dead.  Easter bunnies are just mere distractions.  I'm teaching my daughter the truth about the resurrection just like I'm going to tell her the truth about Christmas.  Jesus is the reason.  Not the Easter bunny, and definitely not Santa Claus.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Ode to the man in my life

I don't mean to brag...Then again, yes I will.  I have the absolute most sweetest husband in the world.  Just the other night after working 12+ plus hours he still managed enough strength to get up at 3:00 o'clock to change our daughter's pamper and comfort her back to sleep.  When it came time to change her again, we discovered we ran out of diapers.  So honey gets dressed, mind you he has to be at work at 6:30, and goes to the store to buy two boxes of pampers and bring home breakfast for me.  You're probably saying, he's the father that's what he's suppose to do and to that I say you're right, but most of the time he does it better than me, which I can't say for a lot of fathers.  I tell everyone he's really the mother, I was the surrogate. He is Mr. Mom.  My daughter is very blessed to have him as a father.  I'm fortunate to have him as a husband.  He's a man's man, a friend, always giving good advice and always going out of his way to give a helping hand.  Right now he's trying to repair my mother's 14 year-old Nissan Maxima but he's really wishing he could buy her a brand new car.  I do too.

Friday, April 10, 2009

I Believe a breakthrough is around the corner

We are going through a rough spot just like every one else.  My mother is undergoing chemo. Her bills are piling up. Her 14 year-old car has seen better days.  Her mobile home is slowing deteriorating.  She's just been denied disability.  Her once beautiful mane of hair is gone.  I've just about emptied my savings account paying my tithes, buying gas, buying food, paying the   mortgage, buying clothing for my baby...The list goes on and on.   Today is Good Friday and even with all the madness going on around me I have faith God will prevail and I feel a breakthrough.  I'm standing on God's words and believing HIM to deliver my family through this rough spot.
This morning when I dropped my mom off, I could tell she had been crying.  This afternoon after 8 hours of chemo she told me that if it weren't for me and my sister and our daughters that she would give up.  My mom has done so much for a lot of people...whether it's cooking for the church, opening her home up to friends, or listening to them vent to her on the phone.  I feel she deserves the best that God has to offer.  I believe she'll be like the woman in the bible with the pots of oil...Every thing will be running over.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Day Two weening

Mommy is hanging in there with my 10 month old.  She's whining a little, looking for that liquid fix.  My Facebook friends are telling me to let her ween herself.  But I'm a working mom now and to make it easier on Grandma, I feel this is absolutely necessary.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Day One Behind Me

Every mother has gone through this and it's agonizing to say the least.  I'm weening my 10 month old and let me tell you there were times when mommy got weak.  I was about to throw in the towel.  I'm not one who likes to see my child cry but tough love is a mother...Any how, day one is behind me and so far it's been good. 

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

New York Bound

Today will be a good day.  Today I will not be quick to anger.  I will listen.  I will be a problem solver.  I will make sure some one's flight will be a memorable one (in a good way).  It's been a year since I worked a New York flight and for those who know, you have to get yourself mentally prepared for New Yorkers.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Lazy, Careless, Free-Spirit, With an Eccentric Eye for Style

Remember the CW sitcom, "Girlfriends," a show about the lives of four AA women living in L.A.? Well I came across a quiz that asked, "which girlfriend are you?" For those of you not familiar with the show you have four girlfriends, Joan: lawyer, practical, refined sense of style, the voice of reason, the one whom all the others run to for advice.  Toni: real estate broker, narcissistic, refined sense of style, selfish, witty, and ambitious. Then there's Maya: outspoken, crass at times, style varies from Gap to the New York company, plus funny.  Finally there's Lynn: has 10 degrees but doesn't use them, lazy, free-spirit, careless at times, with an eccentric eye for style.  I took the test, guess which one I turned out to be? Lynn.  I was like wow, I didn't see it coming.  

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Back to Work

I surprised myself by not crying.  Tonight was the first night I have not shared a bed with my 10 month old daughter.  Although I left her in the best of care with my sister and mother sharing duties, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of guilt.  I'm back at work and as soon as my flight landed I was on the phone with my sister wanting to know if she was okay.  My husband, being the sweetheart he is, called to check on her before calling to leave me a message.  He assured me that we will get through this and that I will eventually get my routine back.  

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Touching the Queen is a big deal

Just looking over the world wide web and came across a blog about the First Lady, Michelle Obama touching Queen Elizabeth.  The blog mentioned that no one touches the queen unless she initiates it.  Well, she did and Michelle returned the gesture.  Photographers see this, take pics, and run with it.  The blog said that the Queen rarely touches and to see her doing so was definitely out of the norm.  Those who follow palace etiquette said that Michelle needs to follow protocol.  I say, "so what."  What do you say?

Friday, April 3, 2009

Motherhood

Whoever said motherhood was easy didn't know what he or she was talking about.  Since the day my daughter arrived it has been constant work.  From feedings every two hours to making sure she doesn't stick everything into her mouth.  There's no such thing as"me time."  The last time that occurred was the day before I found out I was pregnant.  Motherhood at times can be overwhelming but there's comfort in knowing that these are just phases.  Before you know it your baby is a teenager (God Lord!), then a responsible adult who too will become a parent. 

Fridays

I made my entrance into the world on a Friday.  I guess that's why I'm always fond of it.  If I can help it, I try not to work that day and just sit around the house reading, listening to gospel music, or watching movies.  If its sunny outside I'll take my daughter to the park or take a stroll in the mall.  Friday is really my Friday, I don't get caught up in all the weekend mess and I usually get a lot accomplished before the Friday afternoon rush.  Thank God for everyday of the week but I especially thank him for Fridays

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Mustard Seed Faith

My sister gave me a packet of mustard seeds.  They were so tiny, smaller than a popcorn kernel. That's all I need to get me through hard times...mustard seed faith.  On December 1, 2008 when an oncologist told my mom that she had lymphoma she immediately began to quote a biblical verse, "by his stripes I am healed, by his stripes I am healed, by his stripes I am healed." A little over a month later she went to check in for chemotherapy and was told from her doctor that her tumor has shrunken to half its size.  That right now chemo wouldn't be necessary. You should have seen us shouting and praising God. We owed it all to our faith.  And believe me it didn't take much. 

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The two most precious beings in the world

Are lying asleep.  My daughter is on the sofa and my niece is in her swing.  When I look at them I can't imagine why anyone would want to hurt them.  I see stories of babies being abused and it breaks my heart.  Babies are our gifts from God.

The teachings of Creflo Dollar

You may not agree with me and that's your opinion, but since I've been following the teachings of Creflo Dollar, my life has been blessed.  At my home church, my pastor who is a dynamic, powerful servant of the LORD delivers a message and I feel good for that day.  When Pastor Dollar delivers a message, it goes beyond emotions.  In fact emotions don't come into play.  Pastor Dollar gives me a word from God that I can put to practical use, daily.  I guess it helps to that he comes on daily (thanks to TBN and Daystar).

Try not to pay attention to what the media says

I try not to pay attention to what the media says about the economy.  They usually make it worse than what it is.  Instead I pay attention to what God says about it.  I refer to Deuteronomy 8:18 "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth..."  I truly believe that when you have faith and you stand on God's words, everything you pray for will come to pass.

Never Really Appreciated Nina Simone Until Now

Two years ago, my husband and I saw a play entitled, "Peaches," based on the Nina Simone song, "Four Women."  Anyone not familiar with the song should check it out.  I never fully embraced Ms. Simone until now.  I really fell in love with her style while watching a Youtube video of her singing the song, "Feelings."  She was a "high priestess" all right going from tremendous highs to dismal lows.  I don't think the audience fully appreciated the moment.  I was captivated.  I showed it to my husband and he was equally captivated, we were both caught up in the spell.  I wish I had the chance to see her perform live.  Ahhhh the beauty.

Today I'm Going Walk the Walk

I believe I'm on a roll right now.  For the past two years I have been trying to finish my third novel.  I'm 100 pages deep into it and right now I'm not feeling the characters.  For those of you who read my first novel, "Mile High Confessions," you remember my characters; Whitney, the practical one, Eddie, the confused one and Roxy, the wild one.  In book number two they're still the same but at some point there has to be a shift, an arch so to speak and I just can't seem to get it all together, it's like I don't know my characters any more.  So from this day forward, I'm going to start at the beginning and do more outlining and maybe just maybe it'll all come together