First and foremost I want to say Blessings to all! The holiday season is almost upon us... and I am starting my journey of buying gifts for love ones. I am a person that loves to be out and hear the Christmas music and the seasonal joy that seems to be in the air. The smells are fabulous. People seem to be a bit nicer and smiles are generally returned. I love the season! I love Christmas decorations and I all the religious stories about the birth of Christ. I am hoping that the season brings you great joy.. and while I had a moment I wanted to stop by my blog to give a shout out. I also wanted to remind everyone to remember the reason for the season. To get up each day and say "Thank You Lord" and every night too.
To not only decorate a Christmas tree but put up a Nativity and tell your children and who ever will listen the story that surrounds the Nativity. Spread his joy!!!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Updating my look
Well I know it's been a while. I have been oh so busy that I rarely get the chance to stop by and update my blog. Let's see I (the product junkie) have been trying a lot of new things. I see CURLY and buy it! It's kinda bad because I have too much stuff and no place to store some of it. I don't know if its only me, or if others are finding that something that can work great the first four times suddenly flops on number five ; ) I am generally happy to have something that works! SO happy that the let down is BIG! Recently, I re-tried Miss Jessie's and it was a HIT until I purchased the second jar. Then it just didn't work at all. So I purchased a gel like product that I found in Target - a product of Shea Moisture - well the first day - it was too short(shrinkage) and the second day was GREAT, by day three - I had a full all out HARDENED Afro. It's not a good look at all. SO I guess I will stick with what always works - Eco Styler and my favorite product is Kinky Curly. Maybe I need to give up being a product junkie (huh?) ~ On to another topic ... Lets cover books - I have been reading a lot lately, I do that especially once our weather gets cooler. My favorite books are Disappearing Acts and The Coldest Winter Ever. I have read each of them about five times and find pleasure in it each time. I read the book THE HELP this summer and it was very good, I enjoyed the movie also. I also re-read the book THE NANNY DIARIES and whew - it was enlightening and enjoyable. You may ask why I am re-reading books when there are so many new ones - well I can say its because it was there and I forgot what I found so enjoyable the first time. I am hoping that I will be encountering some new reads soon to get me through the winter. I will update with new photos as soon as I download them from my phone to the computer. I can show you my hair on different days with different products. Do Not worry you will not be fortunate enough to catch my 'fro - I only show that in the house to the regular residents. LOL
I also have been blessed to find some wonderful ladies on YouTube to share the how to's of makeup - I learned to put on false lashes and gained some techniques for making me look awesome in my daily trots! I will share that too... (from my phone). Until later...... me!
I also have been blessed to find some wonderful ladies on YouTube to share the how to's of makeup - I learned to put on false lashes and gained some techniques for making me look awesome in my daily trots! I will share that too... (from my phone). Until later...... me!
Friday, September 16, 2011
thoughts
Today while driving to work, my mind began to go back to when I was in grammar school. Why that happened I do not know. I can say now that I hated those days, I hated my grammar school.
Growing up was very difficult during the 70's. There was alot of racism that people learned to ignore. At that time I didn't know how close to our hearts Malcolm X was or Martin Luther King, Jr. was. All I knew was that there was this guy with red hair and shades and he was rather cool - and my brother said SHHHH whenever he was on the tv, so he could hear him better.
My school was a catholic school and it was closer to my home than the public school. I am glad that I attended there because I feel I learned alot. I learned about Christ and I learned about racism. I was put in the slower group of children.. those that had problems with learning. I never had a problem with learning. I was actually quite smart.
I also found that the teachers acted like I wasn't learning as quickly as other students even if I gave the exact same answer. Knowing what I know now, the teachers in that school were not good teachers. They were women that held a job, most likely not even a degree. Certainly some were much better than others. I remember a Ms. Syzrak that was very cool and she didn't seem like the others. She would actually talk to me and listen when I spoke. She told me that I was pretty and smart. I remember a Ms. Downing that taught me history from grade 6 thru 8. In grade 6 - she taught me that the slaves were uncivilized animals that were running around in Africa and that the white man brought them over and CIVILIZED them! It enraged me then, and still does today. Oh I forgot to mention when we weren't called slaves in her class, we were niggers and negroes and uncivilized animals. I sat there so hurt. I hated that class and that big, fat, ugly woman with nasty, greasy hair.
I recall vividly when ROOTS came on. Oh my God I felt the pain that they experienced. I was tortured everyday during that time. The students would push me in the street and say I was not worthy of sharing the sidewalk. They would snatch my hat off and throw it down the stairs, just as I made it to the top. Guess who got in trouble for not being able to hold on to her belongings? Yep, me! I was only friends with a few outcasts.. They were the only ones that would speak to me.
It was a school of maybe 400 students and there were about 4 blacks in it. We were in different grades and different stages, I found the boys were more friendly towards the boy that attended. He and them would play around and act silly. There was a girl that I knew and she was about 3 grades behind me.. she didnt get as much racism - maybe because of age.. I dont know. Maybe I will really have to ask her. I know I threw out my 8th grade yearbook, I wasnt in it. It said Picture not available... funny since I took a picture. I even have the picture. I had on a yellow robe and I think I looked cute.. Lol
I know that it was hard for me to want to attend every single day. I remember talking with my parents about the school and what was happening. I can not fault them for what they felt at that time. I guess it was more about safety. Now that I am a parent - I can say I understand. My dad told me and to this day I can hear it clearly, "June people will be racist, they will hurt your feelings, but you must learn to IGNORE them." He stressed that to me "THEY are ignorant for the behavior they put forth". As a parent I say the same things to my children. However, my husband and I knew we wanted to raise children in a multi-cultural area. We wanted them to have friends of every nationality. We wanted them to be able to relate to anyone and everyone. We told them about racism but didnt want them to experience it. I know I can not shelter them from that but I am a mom, and I will try. Like the song says... I will cry your tears for you. That's exactly how I feel.
Growing up was very difficult during the 70's. There was alot of racism that people learned to ignore. At that time I didn't know how close to our hearts Malcolm X was or Martin Luther King, Jr. was. All I knew was that there was this guy with red hair and shades and he was rather cool - and my brother said SHHHH whenever he was on the tv, so he could hear him better.
My school was a catholic school and it was closer to my home than the public school. I am glad that I attended there because I feel I learned alot. I learned about Christ and I learned about racism. I was put in the slower group of children.. those that had problems with learning. I never had a problem with learning. I was actually quite smart.
I also found that the teachers acted like I wasn't learning as quickly as other students even if I gave the exact same answer. Knowing what I know now, the teachers in that school were not good teachers. They were women that held a job, most likely not even a degree. Certainly some were much better than others. I remember a Ms. Syzrak that was very cool and she didn't seem like the others. She would actually talk to me and listen when I spoke. She told me that I was pretty and smart. I remember a Ms. Downing that taught me history from grade 6 thru 8. In grade 6 - she taught me that the slaves were uncivilized animals that were running around in Africa and that the white man brought them over and CIVILIZED them! It enraged me then, and still does today. Oh I forgot to mention when we weren't called slaves in her class, we were niggers and negroes and uncivilized animals. I sat there so hurt. I hated that class and that big, fat, ugly woman with nasty, greasy hair.
I recall vividly when ROOTS came on. Oh my God I felt the pain that they experienced. I was tortured everyday during that time. The students would push me in the street and say I was not worthy of sharing the sidewalk. They would snatch my hat off and throw it down the stairs, just as I made it to the top. Guess who got in trouble for not being able to hold on to her belongings? Yep, me! I was only friends with a few outcasts.. They were the only ones that would speak to me.
It was a school of maybe 400 students and there were about 4 blacks in it. We were in different grades and different stages, I found the boys were more friendly towards the boy that attended. He and them would play around and act silly. There was a girl that I knew and she was about 3 grades behind me.. she didnt get as much racism - maybe because of age.. I dont know. Maybe I will really have to ask her. I know I threw out my 8th grade yearbook, I wasnt in it. It said Picture not available... funny since I took a picture. I even have the picture. I had on a yellow robe and I think I looked cute.. Lol
I know that it was hard for me to want to attend every single day. I remember talking with my parents about the school and what was happening. I can not fault them for what they felt at that time. I guess it was more about safety. Now that I am a parent - I can say I understand. My dad told me and to this day I can hear it clearly, "June people will be racist, they will hurt your feelings, but you must learn to IGNORE them." He stressed that to me "THEY are ignorant for the behavior they put forth". As a parent I say the same things to my children. However, my husband and I knew we wanted to raise children in a multi-cultural area. We wanted them to have friends of every nationality. We wanted them to be able to relate to anyone and everyone. We told them about racism but didnt want them to experience it. I know I can not shelter them from that but I am a mom, and I will try. Like the song says... I will cry your tears for you. That's exactly how I feel.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Punta Cana
Okay I got tanned or redder...like Lobster. We enjoyed it and the relaxation was wonderful. I did find that I didn't have the humidity issues that I do at home..(in Jersey). My hair actually behaved. That was a switch. I am truly happy about that. Can you see my smile.... ???
On another note..I am contemplating starting a YOUTUBE channel that focuses on life, and being over 40..I am sure I cant be the only over 40 something year old engrossed with YOUTUBE. I am learning so much, I have seen there are many ways to become oneself and surprisingly, I am learning it from strangers that have almost become part of my daily life. I watch to see make up tutorials and outfits of the day for style strategies, that I can incorporate into my own. I can not dress nor look like the 21 year olds - but they truly have inspired me to be a BETTER me! A more confident and riskier me. I learned about hair and nails, and so much more. I am amazed that these young people have learned so much in their short lives, however I do see with YOUTUBE its a big advantage. Wish it was more of this type of learning capability when I was 21... could have avoided many a dressing disaster. So, if there are things I can share - its some of what I have learned. Maybe I can reach out to others that are just like me. I would love your comments... Please let me know your thoughts. Closing for today.... Enjoy the shade! BTW = ) Wear sunscreen!!!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Date Night
I find as I age (gracefully I might add) that its the special occasions that we share with those we love and respect that are the most enjoyable. I enjoy just watching my husband laugh and smile, it makes me fall deeper and more passionately in love with him. He and my children can always make a blue day(even a bad hair day) better just by just being. I am so blessed.
Hair has become a major part of my life and my family will never understand this, but no doubt they all know they are first! Maybe this is the start to something new and we shall encounter more frequent date nights, who knows? Signing off for today.... Daqueen
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