Roll.....Bounce

 

Skate Park

This past weekend, I did a few things.  Fun things.  Things that made me smile.  I even laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks, outside on a date, near a riverwalk.  I didn't take enough pics, but that usually happens when I'm having a good time.  I have to learn how to grab my phone and record and take pictures, for memory's sake.  What's a good story without some good pictures?

I rollered.  I skated.

Anyways, I've started, and that's all that matters.  There were a few bad moments, my husband and I are dealing with some trust issues, and we're working on it, and through it, sometimes that's a very difficult task.  But he's human, and so am I, so we're honestly doing the best we can with what we have.

Rolling with the punches is definitely a part of life, especially mine.  I'm still learning that everything doesn't require a response, and that time and energy can be applied elsewhere.  I'm trying y'all, I really am.  But again, human, so yeah.....

I got up Sunday morning and went to a skate park not too far from my house.  I put on my roller skates and found my balance (it's been a while), played some 80's R&B, and did a few laps.  I enjoyed every minute, even the minutes when I almost fell on my ass, or my knees. So much like my life- finding balance before I fall.  Relearning how to do some old things a new way, in a new environment, not being afraid.

Feel Free

to live vicariously through me, until you give yourself permission to take a little time for yourself to live life.  In a previous post, I shared that I was completely over wasting my days.  Not taking anytime for myself to enjoy my life, which is all I want to do from now on.

I've made a list of people I want to see, places I want to go, and things I want to do.  Some are bigger, wilder, more vibrant than others, but I want to experience them all the same.  Some I will do alone, others with the people I love, a few with total strangers.

Stepping out of my comfort zones is a challenge, but it's one that I welcome.  I'm so excited to begin this new journey, this isn't really an announcement, it's a promise to myself (and y'all) to stop dreaming and wishing and start doing and living.

This is your free ticket to my monologue, I hope you get some great inspiration and a little motivation. A little nudge is sometimes all it takes.. (*gently pushing your shoulder)

vicarious

adjective

vi·​car·​i·​ous vī-ˈker-ē-əs  

və-

1

: experienced or realized through imaginative or sympathetic participation in the experience of another.....

Everything, Something, Nothing

 Not being at this Beyonce concert tonight has me all up in my feelings.  Why am I not there? I'm so over allowing days to go by and not really doing much at all.  It's usually this time of the night when I realize that I did nothing.  Then, of course, I think about all the things I could've/should've done, and I feel bad, guilty, somewhere in between.

I'm done. It ends today.  No more waiting and wasting.  Time is a commodity that I've squandered, and honestly, I'm embarrassed y'all.  I want memories, I desire experiences that will create fantastic stories to be told to my grandkids.

Concerts, brunches, festivals, art shows, and road trips.   I promise (myself and you), that the effort to make memories will be daily.  So much to see and do, and it's high time I did.

I will return to this post each time I fall into my old habits of tv show binges and moods that keep me in my room for weeks at a time.  Sun rays that'll tan my skin, flowers that will be picked, mimosas that will be sipped.  I'm getting excited just thinking about it all.  So much to do in my city, I should be ashamed, and I am.  

Very soon, my escapades will begin, make sure you tune in....

Monica Had Said It Years Ago (She's a She-Ro)

 Monica, the soulful, women's anthem singing phenom, was in my city this past weekend, and this queen intervened during a concert here, to stop an altercation in the crowd.  This woman jumped into the crowd, to stop what was happening!  

Her celebrity, her own safety risked, she only saw another woman in need, and immediately got involved.  We need more like her.  Get involved, help a sister in need.  I already loved this fierce sister, for her relatable hits,  her relatable life experiences that she shares with us, and not to mention, her fashion sense is beyond fierce!  Check out her Instagram.

What made me a huge fan, was her song: Don't Take It Personal (Just One of 'dem Days), where she's just asking for a little alone time, and don't take it personal boo, it's me, not you.  I can totally relate.  Honestly, I enjoy my own company, as most introverts do.  Being alone has never made me feel lonely, I use my alone time for reflection and rest, my own R&R. 

Sometimes, you need to be by yourself, with your thoughts and feelings that need to be sorted out, it's nothing personal, it's just a necessary part of life (mine anyway).  No distractions wanted, I have a lot on my mind, and I need just a little peace and solitude. It ain't you, it's definitely me.  Thankfully, I have self-awareness, sending signals, letting me know: girl, get you some time alone.  Go be by yourself.  Your misery does not like any company.

I want to thank Monica for her sheroism in and out of the recording studio.  This song is dedicated to anyone I may have hurt or offended being in a mood.  Don't take it personal baby.....

I Don't Know Karate, But I Do Know Crazy

 

Have you read Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston (my favorite book), or more recently, watched the Netflix TV series hit,  Survival of the Thickest?  They're both about women finding themselves, following their dreams, and not settling for less at an older age .  Not caring what people thought or said, they gave in to their heart's desires, age be damned.  Society has a set of rules for women mid-thirties and up:  by now, you should have a degree, a career, a husband, and some kids.  If you don't, something has to be seriously wrong with you....

With more years behind me than ahead, I'm over wasting time on the things that don't hold meaning.  I want to live the rest of my life doing things that I love, with the ones that I love. I'm choosing to engage myself in the things that bring me joy and fulfillment.  

I want to share it with y'all, in the most transparent and sincerest way possible.  Part of this journey for me, is creating a road map for others.  I wanna leave bread crumbs for you to follow, so you can find your way a little more easier than I did, and just in case I get lost, or stumble, I can find my way back to the path I've been waiting my entire life to take. 

I love writing, and I've been through a lot, that's a recipe for good storytelling.  Real stories ring true, they resonate, they make a difference, they teach, they warn, they heal.  This is why I decided to do this blog.  

Blogging as a career looks/sounds crazy.  If it's not celebrity gossip, how will I gain popularity, how will people find my little space on the internet in this super diluted industry?  Short attention spans and social media (Tik Tok, Insatgram) at its peak, how will I find my tribe? Where will I fit in?  These questions can only be answered by doing, there's no way around it.

I was worried about what people would think, but at this point in my life, I could care less.  Hearing my Husband say something like "Babe, are you serious, this is crazy.", "You can't make dollars doing this, so it don't make sense.".......

But, that's the beauty of following your dreams, nobody has to understand it but you.  Pursuing your dreams is difficult, but the rewards are amazing.  I've had this desire in my heart for so long, it burns, and I've got to let it.  I'm excited to see what rises from the ashes, emerging like The Phoenix, Jean Grey no more.  Taking this huge leap into the unknown and seeing where I land.

On my ass or both feet, we shall see....

P.S. If you'd like to support a dream, there's a button in my right column (home page) just for generous people like you.  Thanks in advance for the love!

The Lost Art of Bathing

 I'm a hotel aficionado!  I love staying in nice hotels.  I really enjoy the feeling of being catered to.  The option of calling the concierge for extra towels and blankets and take out recommendations is beautiful.  Especially when you're the one who's usually receiving the requests, hotels just hit different.

But what I've noticed, is the lack of bath tubs.  Most rooms will have a shower, toilet, sink.  No tub.  Depending on the hotel, you may have a jet tub (my favorite) usually reserved for the couple's rooms or honeymoon suites.

Nowadays, everybody showers.  No time for baths.  Who has the time to wait for the tub to fill, when you have an appointment in an hour?  How can you soak in the tub during your kids' nap time, when you use those few hours for tidying up the house and starting dinner?  

Bathing is a lost art.  It was self care before self care was even a thing.  It's intentional, it's full of purpose:  I'm preparing a nice hot bath for myself, I might even add some milk, or bubble bath, or epsom salt.  I gotta catch up on this romance novel I've  been reading, so let me grab that book.  I'm tired, and baths relax me sooooo much, I'm going to prop this towel behind my head and take a little nap.  I can lock the door.  I'm naked and alone.  I take my baths at night, when the house is quiet, nobody will disturb this groove.

I look for tubs when I reserve rooms at hotels.  I want to soak. I want to put a little vitamin E oil in my bathwater.  I want to play my favorite neo soul playlist and let all the stress and anxiety melt away and rise up with the steam.  My pores thank me.  My tense muscles are grateful.  My soul appreciates the effort.

Water is healing.  Bathing is a lost art.  Find it, and take small steps towards making yourself a priority. Bathing demands time and effort that you need and deserve.   Focusing on you isn't selfish, it doesn't take away from the ones you love, it adds.  Give that showerhead and the eucalyptus some much needed rest.  Fill your tub with hot relaxing water, add a bath bomb, and light your favorite scented candle. Thank me later.....

Do you take more showers than baths?  Why is that?

Grab Your Shit, We Ride At Dawn

Hey, Hello, Welcome.....

*vigorous, enthusiastic waving 

You read the title right. I'm going on a road trip, a journey back to me. I want you to come with.  Sis, grab your shit, and pack light. We're outta here, blowing this popsicle stand.  Whopping ass and taking names.  Thelma and Louise. Hitting the road, traveling to different places and buying cute souvenirs. 

 Most of my life, I've been birthing, nurturing, teaching, sacrificing, and giving.  I'm a mom and I'm a wife, so if you know, you know. That mom/wife life ain't for the weak, boo. I'm taking back my life.  Finding me and enjoying the journey.  This blog is my declaration of  independence, I'm ready for the next chapter of my life, and it's going to be a wild one. 

 I started this blog to record it all, because I'm sure it'll be some liquor infused shenanigans that I may or may not remember correctly, and if memory serves, those are the best kind...  This is my digital diary, my virtual journal, and I'm so excited to share my everyday adventures with you.

I pray that every woman gets to this point, when it's time to take your life back, get back to you, and not give one f*ck about what people have to say.  Find out what ignites the fire that was extinguished long ago, grabbing that pot off the backburner and cooking up some shit.

I thank you for stopping by, and being a witness to the beginning of  my sassy saga.  I hope you return, for a little inspo and motivation.  Let's start a revolution, let's become rebels with a few flaws, let's get back to who we are.