Volunteering

I enlisted to do something that I haven’t done probably in years–volunteer.  The last time I remember volunteering on a consistent basis was back when I was 11 & 12 years old.  I spent those two summers volunteering at the nursing home where my parents work.  While I have volunteered my time for other short term (very short term) efforts, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve done something long-term.

Until now.  I’ll be spending some time on Tuesday mornings at my church’s affiliated school.  (Did that sentence even make sense??).  I’m supposed to be reading to the junior kindergarten/kindergarten class.  This would be neat because it will help to expose Jamayia to the school setting, and get her playing with other kids.  They a couple years older than her (most of them are 4 years old, a couple are 5 years old). 

This is also a great way to evaluate the school for myself.  Jamayia will be entering kindergarten in two years, and we need to figure out just where she’s going to attend and why.  I’m very grateful for this chance to scope it out before she’s on the doorstep of kindergarten.  No pressure this way.

I Feel So Accomplished

Earlier today, I was feeling quite frazzled.  My parents & bro are coming over for lunch tomorrow after church and the house was a h-o-t mess.  The kitchen needed tidying up, I had to cook, the floors needed mopping and I had to vaccuum.  (Please note that I have yet to mention the bathroom [dare not even pluralize that right now] or the dusting). 

Anyways, hubby finally came home and we worked on the place a bit.  Jamayia actually helped to clean up her toys (usually she does this just before bed and not early afternoon) and the house is presentable for the grandparents.  Thankfully, they’re not coming to scrutinize my housekeeping, but just to spend time.  Regardless, this is something that I’ve definitely inherited from my mom–when anyone is coming over the place needs to be decent.

Then tonight, I was playing around with a section of my church website.  I read an instruction site, and managed to create a link from one place on the webpage to another place on the same page!  I’m so impressed with myself.  I also created a mini-calendar on the site.  I also started a blog for them too.

Ahhh…now I can sleep peacefully.  At least something got done today!

I Can’t Resist Commenting…

I just read this interview between Mariah Carey & Larry King. Many things stuck out, but I don’t really want to take a whole post to discuss my thoughts on Mariah Carey. The one thing that I couldn’t resist though was where she said she feels “eternally 12”. As in twelve years old.

This sticks out because of the resounding silence over that comment, in contrast to another celebrity who has made similar-ish claims and there was a media frenzy. Michael Jackson. He wanted to capture his childhood forever. Hence his ranch “Neverland” and his desire to surround himself with all things fun & children & child-like. In his interview with Oprah, Michael was sharing how he never had a typical childhood and really, really missed out on it. So, as an adult with full control of his life, he, in his own way, reverted back to that. And yet, he was so blatantly attacked by the media for that and heavily criticized for trying to ensure that other children didn’t have such misery as he did.

So, Mariah, for whatever reason, wants to stay a big kid. It’s part of what links her to her husband, who is 10 years her junior. They’re both big kids, by her own admission. I’m wondering then why is it okay for her, and it wasn’t for Michael? They both want(ed) the same thing…

I’ve thought about this for some time, especially after seeing Michael’s interview with Oprah a couple months ago. I think we can all identify with him on some level. Most of us have something (or maybe have even lacked something) in our childhoods that we have internally vowed to do (or not do) for other children in our future. Maybe we had such happy memories of holiday traditions that we vow to ensure that our own offspring experience the same. Maybe we have tragic and preferably forgettable memories of childhood that we pray another child would never have to experience.

Just because our pain or happiness is not public or unknown doesn’t make celebrities any less saner than we are. They are human too, like all the other earthlings on this planet.

That’s all.

Back to regular blogging soon…

Unsure

This is my blog. The place where I’ve said there will be good, bad & ugly. Most times, however, it’s been good. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

It’s like I’m somewhat resistant to post any bad or ugly though, and I don’t know why. Many other bloggers post whatever they desire. Maybe I’m just fearful of rejection, still. Like back in high school. (Do we ever truly graduate and leave that place?!?!) Maybe I just don’t want a whole load of negative comments.

Or maybe I’m just a big chicken?? Let’s go with that–I’m a big chicken.

There’s nothing wrong with sharing an opinion or two on my blog. It will help give my readers a better understanding of who I am and how I think. An opinion shared responsibly, in my opinion (oops, no pun intended…really!) will not seek to influence the decision of others or bash others’ thoughts and/or actions. Rather, I just want to jump onto my soapbox, publicly run my thoughts for a few moments, and get off again.

I also want to be a more outwardly loving person. No, it doesn’t mean that I will walk around town hugging complete strangers. Instead, I’ll try to show less judgement and more compassion towards everyone…even the people I dislike.

Here I go!

Wanted: Brain Plumber

Yes, you’ve read correctly. I need to unclog my brain. It’s been stuck over the last few months, though I’m sure you can very well tell without any hint from me. I’ve been reading a few different blogs over the last little while and am amazed at how various people can write with such depth and honesty and openness.

Yet, I’m stuck??

Anyways, time to get some cerebral Drain-o (or whatever environmentally-safe equivalent exists) and just do it.

Plus, Jenn, months ago (I know. How shameful!) had asked me to contribute to her BLOG. I was stuck then…still kinda am. But I refuse to be stuck any longer!

So, what kinds of topics would interest readers for that blog? Feedback requested.

Please & thank you!

I Made Bread

For the first time in my life, I made bread tonight. I guess the more technical term would be that I baked bread tonight. On my own. Kneading & mixing by hand. No mixer, no bread maker. And the four loaves turned out quite lovely!! I’m quite excited.

The bread that I’ve been buying at Superstore is good–but expensive. It should not cost me just under $5 for a loaf of bread. But it’s dairy free, 18 grain, yeast free, and a few other healthy things–plus it’s actually a full-sized loaf (most times, these healthy breads are a fraction of the size at double the cost!) and best of all it actually tastes good! But it just costs too much, in my opinion, for the amount of bread that we seem to fly through here. So, it was finally time to start making my own.

The process was simpler than I thought. It probably took about 90 minutes to do it all, from start to finish, including the rest time for the dough to rise & the baking time. Yippee! This is something I can incorporate into my regular life now.

Onto adding grains & other goodies now.

"I Love You, Mommy!"

I enjoy hearing those words. And usually, Jamayia saves them for cute and/or cuddly moments. But yesterday definitely took the cake.

She had a dirty diaper, and wanted to test out her potty-using skills. As I was cleaning her up afterwards, she looked at me, all giggly and says:

“I love you, Mommy!”

**shrugs**

Stinkyness and all, I love her too!

Hello October

Yes, I realize that we’re 4 days into the month already, but that’s already. Hello October. I’m now starting to appreciate this month even more. My baby turns 1 year old on Thursday–ack!! I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since her birth (and subsequent drama). Now to figure out how exactly to plan a little party for her.

For Jamayia, on her actual birthday date, I’d just invited her grandparents & her aunties over for cake & a quick savoury snack after work, as it was during the week. Then on the weekend, we had a larger family party, which my mom was gracious enough to share with her (their birthdays are 2 days apart). Nothing big was needed–she was only turning one. No need to go over the top to create an event that would’ve been bigger than her.

But for Jhyelle, we have a slight dilemma. Her birthday’s this Thursday (the 8th). Then Thanksgiving dinner is on Sunday (the 11th). I could do a little something after church on the 10th, but it’d be some of the same people from Sunday, and people are already pouring their efforts into that. I could wait until the following weekend, but I think that there are plans in the works as well. Hmmm…I’ll figure something out.

This month also brings in some visitors and lots of busyness. Nippy winds too, but we’ll just bundle up good. Oh, and my mom’s new pumpkin dessert. She tried it last year, instead of her traditional (and so very scrumptious pie) and it was a hit! So, bye bye pie, hello new dessert.

Must run…mouth is watering already…

She Walks

Jhyelle, that is. She’s now walking. **sigh** It just seems a little too fast. She took her first few steps back in late August, when she was only 10 little months old. Now she’s busy motoring around the house, and she’s not even a year old yet. Yikes!