Category Archives: Blogging

So, Thanksgiving is coming up and I am thankful…

Posted on by
Reply

I don’t have oodles of cash. I don’t have a big, fine house. I don’t have a “big job”, but I am thankful and happy every single day. I have a friend/trend who buys her way into people’s hearts. She has not one friend that she hasn’t spent lots of money on at one time or another. She is a nice woman, but she would not be the person that she is without her nice income.

So many people define themselves and their lives by their status, the number of stamps on their passports, or how often they get pampered at the spa. I wonder how they make it if they made 30 grand a year. Or if they rent instead of own. Or, if they did not have a boatload of people to hang out with at a moment’s notice.

I have spent much of my life being mediocre. (It kinda sucks because I am actually quite bright and creative and fabulous) Making mediocre money, going mediocre places, and living a life that could have been so much bigger. But then came my kid. I have done the whole mom/child-rearing thing in a big way. I am a super, fabulous mom and  a lot of people envy-no joke. I wouldn’t trade all of the memories on vacations with flashy friends for the awesome journey I have had and continue to have with my kid.

I look at my child everyday, and realize what a gift I have been given by God. I yell, I get annoyed, I may not cook all of the food groups on a regular basis, but I am present. I have traditions with my kid. I make occasions more than special. I treat every birthday as a royal occasion, planning for 4 or 5 months sometimes like her recent party.

But, one doesn’t have to have a child to see and feel God’s love and blessings. Having a great and rewarding career is something to be thankful for. I have never had that. Having a great relationship with your family, or friends that would go to the ends of the earth for you is something that most  of us don’t have. Being really athletic and fit and inspirational to others is a blessing to count for sure!

My whole point in all of this, is that people die everyday. There are monsters creating terror all over the world everyday. So everyday we are alive and haven’t lost anyone is a day to praise God and celebrate. I have decided to not ever put myself into a relationship, or a job or in a situation any more where I am not valued or I do not feel happy. I want to look back when I am old and realize that I did not waste my time on unimportant issues or people.

During this beautiful and hectic and magical holiday season. Don’t fret. Don’t feel sad. Know that there are many people out there that would love to have the life that you do. IF you ever feel that you are short on blessings, know that your ability to read this blog and other blogs and have access to technology and have the ability to  write is a right or a privilege that many people across the world do not have access to.

What are you thankful for this year?

Simply~

Dee

So, a lot has happened since I’ve been gone. Most of it sucky…

Posted on by
Reply

Wow. So terrorism is always running rampant somewhere. It is like a B-action movie that never ends. But this Paris stuff was just a ticking time bomb and I do not mean that as a joke. For years, extremists have taken over parts of Paris and forced their rule of law which includes Sharia law and have pretty much said, you don’t follow our way of life then stay out of our hood.

I call it BS Why are governments so liberal and politically correct? Do they not see that it doesn’t work? I am not a gun nut. At all. As a matter of fact, I shot a rifle for the first time ever a week ago. And, I got all of the bullets in the same spot.:) I digress, but all of these gun free zones is where terrorist acts are occurring.

Like the one predicted or scheduled to happen here in D.C. All of the areas that they could/would/will strike have no carry laws. But if they come to VA with their nonsense, they would be in a world of hurt because Virginians are packing, and packing heavy. It is like I am referring to the wild, wild west. Or, I feel like we are living in those times, but much worse. These folks are enemies that are hard to peg down and there are no rules of engagement.

I am not an Islamophobe I don’t think. But it does get harder and harder to be around people of that persuasion, when all of this violence and hate goes on and it is rare that other Muslims stand up and say it is wrong. I get so annoyed with anti-religious folks bashing Christians. Especially when they bring up the Crusades deal like Obama did. Not forgetting that the Crusades happened when times were not civilized.

For some reason when it comes to this religion, people are afraid to call a spade a spade. Well, I don’t hate any race or religion. I try to be kind to all, to live my life in a decent and respectful manner and I never have a goal to hurt anyone. How can people be attracted to this extreme way of living where death and destruction is the goal? Are these the end times?

Well, I know one thing for sure. I know these “refugees” are not coming north and west because of global warming like the genius CIA director said. This brainwashing done by Obama has even the CIA sounding ridiculous. If you guys are mad that I am not supporting the president, tough crap. I try not to be political on here. I really do. But if you are still blaming other presidents or still in denial, I don’t know how to help you at this point.

I wasn’t around during Nazi Germany, obviously, but this climate we are in with the president and his flowery language and the media licking his boots, it is eerie and sounds too familiar.

So, life is a gift. Why don’t most of us treat it as such?

Posted on by
Reply

So there is always tomorrow right? For many people that is not the case. There are no days left. There time to depart from earth has come, but I am sure that if they could communicate with those of us who are lucky enough to be alive, they would tell us to wake the hell up! (Pardon my French)

I am so guilty of saying that I am going to have a successful business doing this and that and I never fully reach the potential that I am so capable of. Call it lack of drive, lack of confidence or lack of ability, that would be fair to say. But in all honesty, like so many people I am a dreamer, planning out this better life for myself but waiting for the right time. Or, waiting until I am ready. Or whatever other excuse.

Though I am a doer when it comes to many things, I tend to not fully achieve my goals. I either eat perfectly clean and half-way workout, or workout 35 times in 4 weeks (I am doing that now), but screw up and eat movie popcorn and a candy bar (did that today). I don’t know if it that I am afraid to win or if I just feel like there is always time for whatever my goals are. Aren’t so many of us guilty of this? If you are an over achiever and all of your plans have come to fruition, stop reading this. No, really. Stop. Now.

I am thankful everyday to God that I have my daughter and my mom, and my cute place to live and I have an income. But I really don’t utilize all of the gifts that I have. I am such a good party planner. I am so good at coming up with business names and ideas and concepts for people. I am a decent writer. I am a great resume writer. I am good at managing projects.

But…I am doing those things to the level that I could. I am not starting that party planning business, but I am helping people with their parties and just spent close to 100 hours planning my daughter’s party that is up coming. I don’t write everyday as I said I would. And though I am an office manager, it is not fulfilling for me because I am helping someone else with their dream and their livelihood and not doing something that I am passionate about.

I don’t know how to turn those things around. I don’t know how to motivate myself because there is so much I want to accomplish. I guess I need to stick to the advice that I give to others and do one thing at a time. That has always been a problem for me. I have trouble focusing on one goal or one dream or one project. Am I the only one?

So, this was supposed to be about how life is a gift and that we do not need to take it for granted. See, the whole inability to focus thing going on again:). But I hope that someone can relate to this post. I also hope that this will inspire me (and others) to work on at least something that can be done immediately. So, I will get back to the clean eating while working my butt off to get fit with my round 2 of 21 Day Fix! I will also write more. No, REALLY. I will.

Thanks for bearing with me as I share my innermost thoughts and feelings. Even if I ramble and don’t write daily, and if what I say sometimes makes no sense, I hope that something that I have to say will resonate with someone. Remember that life is too short to not live every day to the fullest.

I am ever so grateful for my life and so blessed to have made it to tell about another day.Good night!

Simply~

Dee

“Be grateful for the gift of life on earth. Not all who saw yesterday were lucky enough to see today.”
― Edmond Mbiaka

So, will beautifying the outside make a difference with a wonky inside?

Posted on by
Reply

I am the weird, strange and odd kind of person that thinks deeply in situations that there is no obvious depth. A local grocery store that is one of the top in the nation decided to throw out all of their old front racks (for magazines, dvds and other wares) and use a deep and dark-colored wood to give the store an even more sophisticated look. And I suddenly thought, okay-the store looks better, but does this really improve the store? The store has more swanky touches, but how nice is the management? Does the company treat the employees the way that it once did when the owner of the store was alive?

See, a super mundane thing like shelf replacement makes me think about beauty on the inside versus the outside. I told you I’m weird. But really, are the ultra difficult workouts I am doing twice a day making me a better person? Stronger, maybe. More fit, I hope. A better shape to my body-here’s hoping.:) But if I did not work on myself spiritually, does any of that other stuff matter?

Well, in the world we live in today, it seems so. I don’t want to be one of those writing about the famous K family. But, if they didn’t have banging bodies and pretty faces, would people hate/love them in the way that they do? Though the question is purely rhetorical, I think you know the answer. NO! They look so awesome on the outside, but what goes on internally with some of them is really screwed up.

I can’t lie, I would love to have Kendall’s model figure and look great in everything. I would also like to not watch every bite that goes into my mouth and workout all of the time. But, genetics have a funny way of giving us the good, bad and the ugly stuff. I am attractive, but will never be modelesque. I am petite in height, and wear myself out measuring food and working out and drinking water to see minimal pounds lost.

The point is, I work so hard on the outside, but if I was a complete a-hole to people then I would not have people want to be around me. People wouldn’t want to celebrate my bday with me, or go see my daughter perform, or invite me to things. I am glad that I am good on the inside and that I do not act as though the world revolves around me. I pray and I am humble and I try to treat every one with kindness, until they piss me off.:)

So, as I sculpt my body with my 21 Day Fix deal and lift my weights and measure my portions, I will continue to ensure that what lies within rivals the beauty on the outside. For if the inside is ugly and tainted, then the outside, no matter how fit or gorgeous will just not be as beautiful.

I wish that more people could have this revelation or be convicted of this because looks do fade. It is a sad, sad circumstance for those that have lived their life letting their looks lead their way because once youth fades,the no one cares anymore. Then they are forced to have relationships based on their heart and mind.

Well, at least I have my heart and mind right. Just waiting for my body to be as fabulous! I will keep on trying one workout at a time. One pound at a time and one measurement at a time! Wish me luck!!

Simply~

Dee

So, I didn’t stick to my word…

Posted on by
Reply

Okay, I know that I say that writing for the sake of writing is fab. But I for a while have not been able to write as much to read. Or to write as much as think. Or to write as much as pray. Or to write as much as to worry.

I have been going through some “personal revelations” as of late. I have decided to step out on faith and to become a beach body coach. What that means is that I will be a consultant for people who want to get healthier, or lose weight or tone up or train for something.

I may not be the poster child of #21dayfix but after losing 8 pounds in almost 3 weeks and realizing that I can work out with fit people and make it happen! I have lost inches, and though I have around 45 pounds to go, I think that I could help people like me.

I also have decided to really make more time for things and people who are important. Church, friends that are tried and true, workouts (as I mentioned before) just to name a few things. I had a birthday recently and then tends to be a time for me of deep thought and self-examination.

Also, something about fall makes me think of new beginnings. I know that is weird because most people think of spring and renewal. And I do too because of sprouting flowers and Easter (resurrection). But as a kid, the excitement and fear and happiness and worry upon the beginning of the school year is a time I will never forget. That is why I equate September with newness.

I am back to writing again. I have done a lot of reading. I have decided what I am going to do as another job (Beachbody). I have started singing in the choir again. My kid’s activities are in full swing. Something about the summer that makes me want to meditate and chill and not commit and how the fall helps me to get motivated.

So, we all find ourselves the week of Halloween and Christmas is less than 2 months away and then the contemplation of the New Year will lie ahead. But this time if you all bear with me I will write about it instead of withdraw for a couple of months. Several times I would start a draft on WP and just stop short.

But I am back out in the world again and ready to share and ready to read all of the fabulous things that you have to say as well. Happy hump day and happy fall y’all:)

~Simply

Dee

P.S. Are any of you guys dressing up this year for Halloween? Or, are do you guys celebrate?

So, I figured out that technology definitely doesn’t make the kid smarter…or anyone

Posted on by
4

My kid is super smart. Most of her friends are smart. People with like minds tend to hang around one another. But why is it that with all of their smarts and all of this technology, they can just act so stupid at times?

Some of her friends literally don’t know how to load the dishwasher and they ask the meaning of things that I thought they should know in 1st grade. My daughter can’t get the simplest of ideas down like 3 to the 5th power (she always wants to multiply 3 and 5) yet she can do coding and Morse Code. I think that they don’t have much common sense nowadays, and I may not be an ivy league scholar like my brother, but I am smart both in common knowledge and book knowledge.

These kids have fancy calculators and fabulous tablets and laptops but when it comes down to it, 3 to the 5th power is still just that. There is no flashy way for them to answer that on a test. They still have to write it all by hand. As much as I love to type on here, and watch shows on my iPad and use my phone as a mini-pc, I like some of the old-fashioned ways of doing things. They aren’t even teaching them cursive in school anymore! So I guess their signature will be easy to forge if they can only print!

I still love receiving hand written thank you notes and writing them. I still love the feel of a book in my hand. I still love long conversations on the phone, catching up about so many things that cannot be said or understood properly in an email.  I love being able to blog on here, and correct things and edit with a touch of a button, don’t get me wrong. But as advanced as we get, there are so many ways that we can improve and getting back to basics is a good way to do that.

Take time out of today, or one day soon and write out your to-do-list. Read a book that is not on your device. Phone someone. Go for a walk and listen to the birds and the traffic and not your playlist.

Simply~

Dee

So, sometimes writing for writing’s sake is enough…

Posted on by
Reply

Sometimes I don’t want to blog. I want to, but I feel that I have nothing significant to share, or the post may not be insightful to someone or it may not touch someone. Sometimes I read a blog later and think: Wow, that was some good writing and other times I wonder why I had the nerve to put that out there so that others could read it because it was mere drivel.

But what I have realized as someone has been writing in journals and diaries and notebooks since 4th grade that just plain old writing on a regular basis, just to get words down and out of my mind is what is important. It’s almost like I am Dumbledore and I need to release the information so that I can clear my brain and make room for more thoughts. Or, that the more that I get in the habit of writing, the more that it will become more of my daily life and the better my writing will get.

I have always wanted to write in some capacity. Be it as part of a job description an online magazine, back in the day for a newspaper, or even technical writing. The fact that I can write well is the reason that I made A’s in my Master’s program. Sometimes, I would be behind on my reading, but could still find a way to bs my way through an assignment because I could put pen to paper with no issue.

But, I haven’t truly pursued my dream as I had hoped to before becoming a mom. At one time, I was all about getting a poetry book published and still remember the name. I still have the children’s book in my head and wish I would have jumped on it back in 2006 because it would have really been relevant then and could still work now.

So, even though I have put those things on a very long back burner, blogging and even writing privately in my comfy chair into a writing prompt book is still writing. Hopefully, I will get the courage and make the time to try again to be published as I did in the early 2000’s. But until then, I will be thankful for the gift of WordPress and for the blessing of having people read my good, mediocre and even sometimes not blog worthy writing.

Have a good night and keep on writing!

Simply~

Dee