Bitten by the Bug - Suggestions?

Looks like I've finally been bitten by the bug, whatever his name. Started yesterday with a little sore throat and ended with awful achy pain in both of my ears, fever, & a blazing sore throat. Woke up this morning & couldn't move...body is KILLING me! But I think I did pretty well this winter, since this is the first time I'm sick. Well back to sipping this NASTY TheraFlu, praying it does the trick. Any additional suggestions?

Marietta Mardi Gras Race!

When I first moved to Atlanta standing 5'2", I was all of 115 pounds...youthful days long gone. *sigh* LOL Back then people would ask me if I ran track in high school because of my shape. My reply was always, "No," much to their disappointment. Instead, I was a proud band student all four years of high school. So, participation in sports never crossed my mind.

Those conversations took place almost 18 years ago and when I was about 25 pounds lighter. And like every woman in her 30's I felt the need to take on the daunting mission of losing weight. I never saw myself as a runner, but I started about 4 years ago after my doctor told me I had pre-hypertension. She said if I didn't want to be on meds the rest of my life, then I should start eating to live healthier & exercise more.

Of course it didn't happen overnight. Running was a gradual process. But I quickly learned that it was an instant stress reliever, which I needed badly. And now here I am running in races! It is such a fulfilling experience for me. And I LOVE IT! Last week I participated in the Marietta Mardi Gras 5K. My official time was 33:35, which I thought was pretty good after injuring my left fibula on Christmas Day when I fell down some stairs...in platform boots no less.

So here's to many more races to come in 2013!

Studying on a Rainy Sunday

It's raining outside with a little thunder. I can hear the steady rain through the chimney chute. Perfect evening for studying. I noticed that even my son Zachary is using this quiet time to get in some studying. Why not? So I'm following his lead & reading a pretty cool book for a journalism class, Likable Social Media by Dave Kerpen. Highly recommend for anyone looking to expand the reach of their service, brand, or product through social media.

OUR POTUS & FLOTUS - REAL LOVE

I'm up early right now at 6am on a Saturday morning, go figure. So I decide to take the time to checkout the latest issue of Essence Magazine (Jan. '13). As I flip to page 5, my breath is immediately taken away. The full page photo is of our President & First Lady and her arms are wrapped tightly & proudly around her man. This is true love in its simplest form. This is what I aspire to have again in my life!

My N.E. Heartbreak

New Edition in Atlanta - AJC/Akili-Casundria Ramsess Photo

Every girl going through puberty has had the inevitable experience of having the biggest crush on the hottest boy band during her time.  Of course during puberty,a  girl’s hormones are raging to the point that they have no other choice but to scream when they have the chance to see their boy band perform in concert. I think it’s a funny way of purging their feelings for the guys they have professed to love forever.

Well my turn to purge and scream to the top of my lungs at the age of 10, quickly ended when I arrived to the concert.

For me, my boy band crush of the 80’s was New Edition. No one could tell me that I was not destined to marry either Ralph Tresvant or Ronnie Devoe someday. I recall getting my first album, the self-titled 1984 album “New Edition”, which I believe can still be found in my Mom’s house somewhere. I remember I would sit alone in our den, with my Dad’s huge headphones on my ears, listening to that album over & over again…daydreaming .

Me and my girl Latoya Harmon

If I recall correctly, that same year, my girlfriends and I found out that New Edition was coming to Birmingham, AL to perform in concert. While the other girls were able to get their tickets in advance, my Mom finally relented to let me go and gave me the money to buy my ticket on the day of the concert. I remember getting a brand new outfit, which included the freshest “LA Gear” jacket I’d ever had. I was excited and dying with anticipation to see MY guys live on stage.

When we arrived for the concert, I received the worst news ever…the concert was sold-out. As I’m sitting here typing this story, I can literally feel the pain I felt  in my chest that day when I realized that I was the only one in my group of girlfriends who would not be attending the concert. I recall having to call my Mom through sobbing tears on a payphone, telling her the news and asking her to come pick me up. I was completely embarrassed and most of all DEVASTATED!  Needless to say, I cried all the way home.

Well last night, I finally got my chance to see New Edition perform at Chastain Park Amphitheater. This time I had the opportunity to share the moment with two of my closest girlfriends.  Unsurprisingly, the concert was sold-out. But this time I didn’t get turned away, because I made sure to purchase my ticket in advance. My girls and I had a FABULOUS time!!

Watch Out World! Zach Is On The Road!

So, I finally took Zach to GA Driver Services to take the test to get his driver's permit. And as you can see he passed! He was SO excited! Especially since he passed on the first try. For a teenage boy, getting their driver's permit is like the first step towards freedom. Because at some point, it only leads to a boy's ultimate rite of passage...their driver's license.

And of course, we the parents (or legal guardians) are the chosen ones who have to bear the brunt of "teaching" them to drive. I remember having several heart attacks AND strokes teaching Xavier how to drive. You could not TELL me that there wasn't another set of brakes on the passenger side. LOL

Yes, I realize that there are driving courses teens can take which relieves the parents of the heart-racing  task, but the fees are way TOO expensive for my pockets. I can't speak for everyone else, but I definitely can find other cool things to do with $375, i.e. several pairs of shoes. *wink*

With that said, Zach politely informed me that he was completely cool with starting his lessons in our subdivision, which I was surprised because most kids immediately aim for the public roads. That idea worked for me, since our neighborhood is relatively flat and clear of parked cars. LOL

It was a bit intimidating for him at first, because my car (an '05 Nissan Maxima), has a lot of kick in the engine. And Zach's size 14 shoe completely covers the gas pedal, making it slightly difficult for him to know how much pressure to place on the pedal. And of course, the opposite of that is getting comfortable with the brakes and the gradual slowing down process vs. the neck-snapping sudden stops.

I'm so thankful that Zach is the last child I have to teach. I don't think my heart condition would allow any more teen abuse. So here's to Zach taking his first step towards freedom!

P.S. - PRAY FOR ME! LOL

Xavier is College Bound!

Xavier has left the building! Zach & I escorted him to the Greyhound bus station. He will be attending Savannah State University. His major is Civil Engineering Technology. Wishing him the best as he begins his new journey in life at the college level.

I'm a VERY PROUD SuperMOM right now! 

Zach & Xavier @ Greyhound waiting bus

Xavier & Me before he boards his bus. *tear*