Viruses, Vomit, Fevers, Oh My!

What is going on lately? Almost everyone in my household has been sick. Ugh! I've been trying to disinfect as much as possible, boy I hope it works. I cannot afford-literally for anyone else to get sick including me. I've probably hit a record for the most doctor appointments in one week. No more stickers or lollipops for us, we've hit our max. We'll until everyone recoups I'm laying low. Until then, allow me to jump this obstacles while you continue to tackle yours.

Much love and stay healthy!

Never let your memories be greater than your dreams Part 1

What does this mean? Maybe I can help. We all carry many memories. Most from our childhood for many of the middle-aged, friendships carry both positive and negative, family most important and most memorable. For those of you today that carry a lot of negative memories or possibly have some memories that you struggle to recover from, this is for you.
If you go back a few post, you'll see where you can connect this. At some point in our lives we all struggled with meeting our goals. We've come upon many obstacles. Sometimes our dreams are too far from our reach, so we give up- at times too easily. I want to encourage you to stay on track. Embrace your memories, learn from them, seek to build your dreams and future from your memories. Allow them to be your foundation and not the ending effect. For those of you that want to rid your mind, drop your grudges and seek happiness in living your dream take a moment to get one last thought of those negative memories and allow your dreams to take over and plan for your future. But remember that just because you have memories, it doesn't have to rule your life or be your life. We will all have to take responsibility one day and speak for ourselves. What will be your reason for the way you live/lived your life, and make your decisions and is it sufficient.
There will be many different ways of interpreting this statement. How will you interpret it? How can you relate it to an aspect of your life?


Keep dreaming......look for more on this coming soon

Any Suggestions?

I am looking for a good book to read, a really really good book. Maybe something pertaining to real life drama, something I can learn from, something that can inspire me, something that can lead me to my dream..... I have a gift card I received for Christmas and feel its time I put it to use. I don't want to waste it on a boring read, so help me out. If you have any suggestions feel free to leave a comment. Enjoy the rest of your day, I'll let you know what I decided soon.
Much Love.....

Lets not take anything for granted

I wanted to take a moment today to send this message to everyone out there that has the ability to access a computer or email. Sometimes we don’t realize how blessed we truly are. We underestimate our lives and situations and don’t take the opportunity to be thankful for each and every moment we take a breath. So if you feel you are going through some trials and tribulations right now, there are other going through worse. So take a moment of silence and pray for those that may be going through worse, give praise for each and every blessing you have received so far, and stay focused and on the right path because the next day is not promised. You don’t want to miss out on what God has in store for us over a minor obstacle. A friend of mines sent this to me this morning and I wanted to spread the word.

Keep the prayer going....
Lord, I just want to say THANK YOU, because this morning I woke up and knew where my children were. Because this morning my home was still standing, because this morning I am not crying because my husband, my child, my brother or sister needs to be buried out from underneath a pile of concrete, because this morning I was able to drink a glass of water, because this morning I was able to turn on the light, because this morning I was able to take a shower, because this morning I was not planning a funeral, but most of all I thank you this morning because I still have life and a voice to cry out for the people of Haiti. Lord I cry out to you, the one that makes the impossible, possible, the one that turns darkness in to light, I cry out that you give those mothers strength, that you give them peace that surpasses all understanding, that you may open the streets so that help can come, that you may provide doctors, nurses, food, water, and all that they need in a blink of an eye. For all those that have lost family members, give them peace, give them hope, give them courage to continue to go on! Protect the children and shield them with your power.
I pray all this in the name of Jesus!!!
To all my friends please continue to forward this so that we can pray together for the people in Haiti.
We here are truly blessed!!!!!

When convenience can become a loss....

This morning I pray for the strength to not only be able to encourage other hearts, but to also take my own advice. Its hard at times to stay focused and I admit take my own advice, but hear me out and we can all pray our Father strengthens both me and you. So I speak today on the terms: convenience (suitability for performing an action or fulfilling an requirement) , and when it can become a loss (the state or fact of being destroyed).

This was laid on my heart this morning because I realized how important my cell phone was to me just recently. I use it as alarm clock, not only to wake me up but also to remind me take my meds every morning, afternoon, and night; reminder of an upcoming event(someones b-day soon!); to check my email- you never know when your child's teacher might need to get in touch with you or other important communications from the school; its my tip calculator; a voice recorder-don't lose out on any more of those great ideas/ or important task you don't have time to write down; I can check the weather, surf the web, search the yellow pages for an address or phone number, listen to one of my favorite songs-its a MP3 player!, snap a quick photo-Isn't this sun set absolutely beautiful?

Did I forget to mention a navigation system! I must admit I still get lost far to often being a Charlotte resident of almost 4 years and I hate the forks in the road. One day I hope to get the Sunset exits 16A and B right!

So getting to my point of this post is that my cell phone is a convenience for me and many many others in this day and age and sometimes we seem to get a little too comfortable with this convenience, taking shortcuts and cutting corners and losing out on the real purpose or intention of a specific task and we can't figure out why we don't get the same results as we would if we didn't have this convenience. We sometimes allow these possessions to destroy us or make us lose sight of goals or everyday purpose.

If you also have been blessed with an material object or resource, be thankful, be appreciative of those blessing and don't become greedy. I am grateful that I have the resources to help me along the way, but not so dependent on them to control my every move or activity. I choose to not get so comfortable because it can be destroyed at any given time never to be available again. This is not only for cell phones but for whatever material object in your life that you are becoming too dependent upon.

Proverbs 12:27

The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.

I'm an Aunt Again!!!

Welcome Makayla, the newest edition to my family. It feels absolutely wonderful to be an Aunt again. I am very thankful for the people God has placed in my life and I take responsibility to be a positive role model for the children in my family, so that they may have someone they can look up to or reach out to in the need of support. I will continue to spread and encourage them and all children I come in contact with, with my blessings from God. I haven't seen my nieces and nephews nor any of my family from Syracuse and surrounding areas in while now and I want to make that trip before a year sets in, so help me in praying that me, honey, and the kids can make it up that way safe and soon.

Much love

A New Day a New Beginning

Welcome back after what I pray was a wonderful weekend for all. Did you dream this weekend? Did you dream dreams of guidance, fantasies or perhaps nightmares? What did your dreams mean to you? Did they encourage you? Ask yourself these questions, understand the meaning of dreams, your dreams. If perhaps your dreams didn't encourage or inspire you to take a leap of faith, allow me.
Today is a new day, regardless of what you've been through- negative and unbearable, you are here today, and through the Lord Jesus Christ you have the strength to move forward. You have not came this far on your journey to just give in and and give up. Continue to work towards your dreams/goal/resolutions. There is always a challenging point somewhere in all situation worthwhile, but you must stay strong, stay focused, and bypass those obstacles as they will always pop up. MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY!

-Sarah

Greetings to all!

Well everyone, this week has offically come to an end and has been a very challenging one at that. I plan on recouping this weekend and pulling myself back together. I hadn't quite realized until now how positive yoga could be for your mind, body and spirit. I've always heard, but I guess I had to experience it for myself. See its minor things like that, that can bring you back to life from a challenging week. When I walked into class I attemped to release all negativety. Isn't it amazing how hard it is to stay positive? Well this post is my final release (I hope!) of such a hectic week.

So what I leave you with today is my reason for the challenges my family has been through lately.

A well respected friend of mines laid this message on my heart and soul and through the grace of God, I will be obiedient!

"To those of you today who find yourself with a heavy heart, tired, worn, drained, exhausted and/or in need of a time out, this message IS for you. You were placed on my heart today and I speak every necessary adjustment of your perspective (how you see things), perception (your understanding of what you see) and focus (what you’re concentrating on).

Standing in the midst of a sea of hands, you find most of them in the position of receiving. Some clasped together, some flat and some beckoning to be filled. As you move about the surrounding sea, you pour into them hoping to run across one extended in the position of releasing. For as you take notice of how much you’ve given and the appearance of the little that remains, you begin to fear you shall soon run out. The faces attached to some of the hands and the responses once filled can sometimes become disheartening. There are some that have been filled and still stand demanding more with no regard for the others who have yet to receive and have no concern for what appears to be the little left to supply. But remember, to be not weary in well doing, for you shall reap a harvest if you faint not.

Faint ~ (1) Lacking brightness, vividness, clearness, loudness, strength, etc. (2) Feeble or slight: faint resistance; faint praise; a faint resemblance. (3) Feeling weak, dizzy, or exhausted; about to lose consciousness: faint with hunger. (4) Lacking courage; cowardly; timorous: Faint heart never won fair maid. (5) Law. Unfounded: a faint action.

If you accurately look at what’s been given and what was left, you would see that even it was more than you had to give. You are one of God’s resources (Something or someone that can be used for support or help) and not the source of their supply. This does not excuse the heart of the ungrateful or unappreciative. God knows their heart and will deal with them accordingly. But what this does is protect your harvest by keeping your heart fixed on the heart of the matter. In this, let me also encourage you to shift your focus on today. Take refuge and find hope in the hand that has gently reached through your back and securely wrapped around your heart. As long as your heart is to share with God’s people, His is fixed on supplying your every need. As you pour into them it’s not of yourself you pour, but He pours of Himself through you. See you’re a yielded vessel submitted unto the King to do the Kingdom business in the earth. Your only assignment is to listen for His voice, be it a still small one or surround sound and obey. It’s not your will being done here, it’s His! See you should only be sowing where He has told you to sow and being careful not to make up your own well doing or good deeds. You should only be where He has lead you to be and not moving about the country on your own accord asking Him to pick up the tab.
Be strong and of GOOD courage. Sow where you expect growth. You should only expect what you hope for. Your hope should only be according to what God spoke/promised. Remember that He is a rewarder of those who diligently ((1) Constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything. (2) Done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking) seek ((1) To go in search or quest of: to seek the truth. (2) To try to find or discover by searching or questioning. (3) To try to obtain. (4) To go to: to seek a place to rest. (5) To ask for; request: to seek advice. (6) To search or explore.) Him [Hebrews 11:6]. Know that God is a righteous God and will not forget your labor of love [Hebrews 6:10]. Lastly, keep in mind that your expression of love is not according to your measurements of good deeds, but your obedience [John 14:15]."

Much love to each and every heart out there!
-Sarah

Happy Thursday to all!

I guess I'm a little confused today. I've been going back and forth with a couple of dentist offices this week trying to figure out a resolution to my mouth pain. When I initially went to the dentist, I had my normal x-rays and cleaning, no problems other than going back to get one filling. Yippee! Until.....that weekend I started having some pain in my jaws/cheeks starting in the opposite side of where I needed the filling. I went back for my scheduled appointment only for them to say well since I was experiencing pain they couldn't do the filling at that time. So whats a girl to do? I asked. Well let's take a look at the x-rays you had done. It looks like you still have your wisdom teeth and that could be causing the pain because there may not be enough room for them anymore. I'll get Dr. McIntosh and see what he has to say about it, says the DA. So he comes in and says pain huh? Yes and its very uncomfortable, hurts when I eat, chew and touch the area, but its not my teeth, it feels more like my muscle and is painful to the touch. Sounds like a TMJ but lets pull the wisdom first and see if that helps any he said. So the nurse checks me out and gives me my x-ray, recommends an OTC anti-inflammatory, refers me to the oral surgeon and sends me on my way. I go for my consultation a few days later, been dealing with the pain with OTC meds in the meantime. I explain my situation, hand over the x-rays and they're only recommendation is pulling the wisdom teeth. I watch a video pertaining to the surgery, Dr. goes over a few key points and yadda yadda yadda....and as he gets ready to excuse me I say HALLLLTTTTTTT hold on, hold up. Do you really think that will resolve my problem? I'm not sure what wisdom teeth pain feels like, but I can guarantee you its not what I'm feeling. Look at my x-rays I demand, put yourself in my shoes, let me tell you again MY Situation. I am having pain/discomfort that starts in the morning and diminishes near midday. My pain switches sides often, the pain meds are not working and I've had a few people agree that this has little to do with my wisdom teeth. Will you explain what a TMJ is? I asked. He asked do you grind your teeth at night? I don't know... Do you clench your teeth? Maybe, I don't know... Are you under a lot of stress? DUUHHH....Of course. He explained well it could be a TMJ disorder but first we would still like to pull your wisdom teeth as you shouldn't have them at this age. It doesn't appear from your x-rays that there is an infection/ they are not impacted/ and your risk level of damage from performing this type of procedure is low, so again I would like to recommend the surgery and then focus on the possible Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). It was nice meeting you, when you check-out the scheduler will give you an estimate and time of surgery and by the way, stop taking the anti-inflammatory 3 days before your appointment. So you're probably wondering why I said all this. I said it to say, you have to take responsibility for your OWN health If you don't care no one else will. I had other consultations and suggestions and got the point where I rescheduled my wisdom teeth removal until February. I will be getting fitted for a night guard to keep my teeth from clenching at night and until then I'm wearing a store bought mouth guard you know the ones that athletes wear, trying to figure out how to pay for all of the services and products I have to use while going through this process. Most importantly finding an oral surgeon that can take the time to look at my particular situation and treat me like a patient and not a number or $$$ sign because I have good insurance.

Happy New Year Ladies!

I think I was off to a great start with the new year, but you know drama will work its way in somehow....but I refuse to be a victim! I want to celebrate this year, I wan't to improve my relationship with my friends and most importantly family. I CHOSE to improve time management skills in EVERY aspect of my life. A friend of mines sent me a quote that inspired me and I pray she (you know who you are!) keeps on inspiring me. Most people don't know that words of inspiration go a long way and can touch a life in so many ways. I look forward to inspiration and I hope that I can be an inspiration to many many more.

DEATH OF A BLACK WOMAN:While struggling with the reality of being a human instead of a myth, the strong black woman passed away.. Medical sources say she died of natural causes, but those who knew her know
She died from being silent when she should have been screaming, smiling when she should have been raging, from being sick and not wanting anyone to know because her pain might inconvenience them.
She died from an overdose of other people clinging to her when she didn't even have energy for herself.
She died from loving men who didn't' t love themselves and could only offer her a crippled reflection.
She died from raising children alone.
She died from the lies her grandmother told her mother and her mother told her about life, men & racism..
She died from being sexually abused as a child and having to take that truth everywhere she went every day of her life, exchanging the humiliation for guilt and back again.
She died from asphyxiation, coughing up blood from secrets she kept trying to burn away instead of allowing herself the kind of nervous breakdown she was entitled to, but only white girls could afford.
She died from being responsible, because she was the last rung on the ladder and there was no one under her she could dump on.The strong black woman is dead.
She died from being a mother at 15 and a grandmother at 30 and an ancestor at 45.
She died from being dragged down and sat upon by un-evolved women posing as sisters and friends.
She died from tolerating Mr. Pitiful, just to have a man around the house.
She died from sacrificing herself for everybody and everything when what she really wanted to do was be a singer, a dancer, or some magnificent other.
She died from lies of omission because she didn't want to bring the black man down.
She died from tributes from her counterparts who should have been matching her efforts instead of showering her with dead words and empty songs.
She died from myths that would not allow her to show weakness without being chastised by the lazy and hazy..
She died from hiding her real feelings until they became hard and bitter enough to invade her womb and breasts like angry tumors.
She died from always lifting something from heavy boxes to refrigerators all by herself.The strong black woman is dead.
She died from never being enough of what men wanted, or being too much for the men she wanted.
She died from being too black and died again for not being black enough.
She died from being misinformed about her mind, her body & the extent of her royal capabilities.
She died from knees pressed too close together because respect was never part of the foreplay that was being shoved at her.
She died from loneliness in birthing rooms and aloneness in abortion centers.
She died in bathrooms with her veins busting open with self-hatred and neglect.And sometimes when she refused to die, when she just refused to give in she was killed by the lethal images of blond hair, blue eyes and flat butts.Sometimes, she was stomped to death by racism & sexism, executed by hi-tech ignorance while she carried the family in her belly, the community on her head, and the race on her back!
The strong black woman is dead!Or is she? No she isn't, not if she's reading this!!!!!!!!!!!

I too refuse to die, we must stay strong. Lift each other up where we have fallen down and continue to be an inspiration to each and every person you come in contact with today and everyday!

Much love....

Still trying to get the house together, honey will you please just understand?

9 WORDS WOMEN USE:
1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)6. That's Okay : This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome.
8. Whatever: Is a women's way of saying F@!K YOU!
9. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to #3.