sweet sundays: no more negative Nellie

No matter how positive I am most times, it's funny how I can be the hardest and most negative about the people closest to me. I think sometimes we judge our parents, partners, children, and even ourselves too harshly. Yes, there are things we all need to work on but come on, most of us are pretty good people.

I sat down 2 weeks ago reading a blog written by a single lady immediately proceeding her divorce and as I read the piece I realized I never had to give up any dream when I married. Yes, there is compromise and I'm no professional married person (only 3 years in) but I think I've had my fair share of marital woes. However, this should never prevent me from seeing the great things about my spouse. As a seemingly professional student, I can say I've never been discouraged from pursuing whichever academic program was in my sights. I can just imagine how at odds that would be with my viewpoint on the importance of education. I'm still getting my potential successfulness on :) Also, I attend a seventh-day adventist church and have all my life. However, I'm not a traditional seventh-day adventist...I actually consider myself a plain ole Christian (trust me, this is revolutionary to some in my church). Nothing more. I'm a follower of Christ. I'm sure there are a lot of SDAs who would look at my nail polish and pierced ears askance. Further, some of my eating choices leave plenty to be desired in terms of SDA eating standards. Trust me, a traditional SDA Christian couldn't live with me, lol, but thank goodness he never tries to discourage me and allows me to express my spirituality in a way that is true to me.

Do you miss the brightness in life by allowing the negative and trouble spots to cloud your vision? Make an effort this week to think of the good and positive in those around you. It will increase your appreciation for those around you and brighten your week. It may not be easy but you won't regret it!

Next step? Learning to forgive those who hurt us...but small steps, people, small steps.

word love: Sidewalk

the footsteps outside,

they sound like heels.

six floors below,

pounding out the sound

of a woman determined.

determined to do

what, i don't know

but she sounds like

she's walking away from something.

before tonight i'd

never realized that the sound

of a woman's shoes on

a cobblestone sidewalk

could tell me

so much.

by: Matt Logelin (poet & blogger)

Who's smokin the strong stuff today? Spirit

Spirit Airlines must be high and completely out of it.

They will now be charging customers for carry on luggage. Yea, carry on. The CEO claims it is to give the customer more choices. Now we, the consumer (I should change that because I will never know what it is to fly Spirit now) can do what's best for us *spits up water* Yea, because before we weren't sure what to do with our carry on luggage. Now that we have to pay for it, we'll definitely have more choice. Follow his logic? No? Me either.

Good thing is we still get to put stuff under the seat in front of us for free. For now. Oh! & to tickle your fancy you can bring an umbrella for freeeeeeeee! Baby luggage is still free (strollers, car seats, and diaper bags). Of course, only one of those things ever gets placed in the overhead compartment but whatever.

I can't wait to see what's next. Not.

Source: Check this.

Reactions? Check this.

-Thanks Ren for the heads up. You know what will get my goat.

Howard Drive Chronicles Part II

Remember my downstairs neighbor? Well she seems to be getting to a lot of people.

Easter Sunday my bro and I are walking in from the laundry mat when we see this guy standing on the steps that lead to our door (There are 2 doors there - one for us and crazy neighbor, and one for the apartment beside us upstairs or the one beside my crazy downstairs neighbor). We assume he's from one of the apartments beside us. He says hi so we smile and say hi in response. Then he says, "your downstairs neighbor is driving me crazy." So I say, "I'm not surprised." I'm thinking she yelled at him or threatened to call the cops or something. She seems to like to do that. Then he goes, "she's my son's mother." Oh. Uncomfortable pause and side glance at the bro. He then says, "she makes me so mad sometimes I just wanna kill her." OH! I say, "you shouldn't let her get to you...enjoy your day." I grab for keys to open my apartment door now (Can you imagine keys wouldn't come out of the darn front door?? I do not want to be a witness). He steps back into my line of vision and goes, "she ruined my Easter service high"...guess he just got in from church. So I say, "don't let her do that...just have a good day anyhow."

Later I'm sharing the story with Raf and he tells me the guy lives right beside the crazy neighbor and he just thought she was babysitting his son. I'm like, nope. She's the mother of his son. & he really doesn't seem to get along with her. Here's to hoping they stay on each other's right side. Cause I don't need any drama under our apartment.

Howard Drive Chronicles Part I

For now this only has 2 installations. Here's the first.

So there's an elderly lady (early 70s maybe) who lives in the apartment across the parking lot entrance from me (that wasn't helpful lol - she's on one side of the drive, and I'm on the other). The first night I moved in I was trying to park but was unable to drive in because her date was dropping her off and they were necking in the car. YUP! Kissing, caressing, and all! And for so long that I gave up waiting. I don't know why I didn't blow my horn...it was late, and I felt like these 70 year olds kinda deserved their time I guess haha. It was one of those odd moments when you're happy their still young at heart and dating but a tad grossed out because omigoodness, they're 70. So I parked out in front.

Since then I've probably seen them one other time. Saturday, my friends and I are getting lunch ready when I look out and the gentleman has come to pick up his date. When he stepped out to wait for her, he was rocking one of those shirts, flowy with the top buttons open, his gold chain, & a little chest hair action. My friends were in awe. They couldn't fathom that he actually came to pick up my neighbor for a date (& that they were pretty involved) because he was so elderly till they saw my neighbor come out in a cute tee (I promise you I have one just like it) and pants, greet her gentleman caller, and drive off with him. We were all giggling and saying we now have hope...to be 70, dressing up to go out on a date, and necking in our sweetheart's car. Sweet, yes but also a little gross.

I love that they don't give a hoot and are enjoying themselves...who cares what us youngins think? When we're that age we'll be wishing we still had it lol. By the by, he was back yesterday :)

sweet sundays: Happy Easter :)

I love fresh flowers

If you celebrate, I wish you a wonderful weekend. Let's not focus on technicalities, we don't know when He died and was resurrected BUT we know he did and that's what really matters in terms of our salvation.

This weekend a group at my church sang this Kurt Carr song and it was a blessing. Hope you find time to click and enjoy.

Oh, yea. I embraced the yellow. This dress will def make another debut this spring/summer. Thanks Vicky for the prod lol.

girly fridays: hodge podge

I haven't been to the gym. Therefore, I feel fat. Next week is redemption week.

Then, I've tried 2 masks. Let me review:

1. Avocado & Honey - easy to make, but don't make too much. It goes bad. Easy to apply and smells great.

2. Oatmeal, milk, egg yolk, aloe vera, honey, lemon juice - does NOT stay on my face. I am not sure what consistency would work. I had to cover my face with a warm rag to have it stay. I may not cook the oatmeal in milk next time. I think if it were raw and in the honey it wouldn't fall off my face. I'm gonna nix the egg yolk and lemon juice from newer versions of this mask.

These are the 2 that will remain in rotation for awhile.

My choir sings tomorrow. We always wear full black when we do - it's just easier. However, it being the Easter season, we are wearing pastels. I do not like pastel colors. Actually, they are sometimes acceptable. On babies. Otherwise, yuck. So now I have my first yellow dress. Guess this is not so girly friday...girls are supposed to like these colors. I like my colors vibrant or moody, not milked out. & I think yellow is my least favorite color (real color, that is...pastels are in a different category and ones like mint and lavender def take the cake for worst colors - although I must say they are pretty awesome scents).