Rest in Peace

(1933 - 2006)

We have lost another legend. But can you imagine the jam session up in Heaven? I hope the pearly gates are soundproofed. Rest in Peace, my brother.

God bless you Mr. Brown.

Jennifer Hudson - One Night Only (Today Show)

I can't WAIT to see Dreamgirls! Jennifer Hudson is the MAIN reason I want to see this. Sang you SONG chile! Now THIS is a DREAMGIRL!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

It doesn't get better than this! *lol*

Remember This........

Christian Glitter by www.christianglitter.com

No speeches here. Just a reminder as you go about your day, think about those that may not be as fortunate as you. Reach out to family, friends and even those that may need a kind word or a smile to melt the brokenness in their hearts.

If you are going through a storm, give God the praise and glory for what you DO have. I know that when I'm depressed, the quickest way for me to shake off the gloom and doom is to help someone else.

• Visit a nursing home, shelter or Children's hospital, take some small gifts, spend some time talking to those that can't get out.
• Donate toys, clothing, or other needed items to the less fortunate.
• Go Christmas Caroling!
• Make some Christmas cookies
• Treat someone to lunch, or have someone over for dinner. Seniors tend to isolate themselves at home, so check on them.
• Help out at in a food pantry or volunteer at a soup kitchen serving those that are hungry.

JESUS is the reason for the season.

Music Music Music!

I love music. I love hearing good music, listening to lyrics that transport me to another place, another time. As an R & B old school purist, finding this group made my ears smile. I have wanted to add music to this blog ever since I started it, but I am so glad I waited until now.

The Chapter is a refreshing blast of Soul nostalgia, yet still captures the best of today's sound. "Can't Nobody" is the JAM. Also "Derty Jazz" keeps my head bopping. Now I'm no musical expert, but I know what I like.

I happened to find them on a site called American Idol Underground and also found their MySpace page. http://www.myspace.com/thechapter .

You can buy The Chapter's CD at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thechapter.

I feel it is imperative to give exposure to musical purists that rise above and transcend today's cookie cutter studio madness. I will be featuring new artists as often as possible.

Enjoy!

In Memorium - Bebe Moore Campbell

I had the pleasure of reading several of her novels and found them to be thought provoking, sincere and poignant. My favorite was "72 Hour Hold" that was an unflinching look at the mental health system. Based on a personal account, she wrote about a mother's struggle to get treatment for her daughter diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder.

(From the New York Times)

(Along with writers like Terry McMillan, Ms. Campbell was part of the first wave of black novelists who made the lives of upwardly mobile black people a routine subject for popular fiction. Straddling the divide between literary and mass-market novels, Ms. Campbell’s work explored not only the turbulent dance between blacks and whites but also the equally fraught relationship between men and women.

Throughout her work, Ms. Campbell sought to counter prevailing stereotypes of black people as socially and economically marginal. Though critics occasionally faulted her characters as two-dimensional, her novels were known for their crossover appeal, read by blacks and whites alike. )

Mrs. Campbell succumbed to a neurological condition last week and I will miss her unique and gifted voice in the publishing world.

God bless her family in their time of grief.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful every day, but look forward to a national day of reflection on Thanksgiving. I am thankful for just being able to see yet another year, to marvel at the increased independance and understanding of my special needs angel, and for renewed faith. I am thankful for parents that love me unconditionally and for family, although some what remote, that still warms my heart.

I am thankful I live in a country that allows us the freedoms that exist and for the soldiers that fight to keep those very same freedoms. I am thankful for all of the people who have reached out to me and my child to help her grow healthy and well adjusted. The Teachers, the physical, occupational and speech therapists. All of the service coordinators and agencies.

I am thankful for my church home, my pastor and his leadership. I am thankful for all my sisters and brothers in Christ. Who have listened, counseled, hugged , laughed and cried with me.

I am also thankful to my online friends and "family". Those who have inspired me, encouraged me, made me laugh, challenged me and even taunted me. You keep my spirits high and allow me to shine.

But most of all, I am thankful for my Jesus. One who gives me breath in my body, legs to walk with, hearing and sight. A voice to speak His praises and a mind to discern my world.

Today, I am thankful.

Kramer Kracks

Michael Richards, the quirky comedian who made his mark in the NBC comedy "Seinfeld", lost his mind on stage and racially attacked two black hecklers at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles last friday. This is unacceptable. Not only did he call these men "niggers", but he also made an off color remark about lynching.

Comedians are heckled all the time, he has been in the business too long to act out in this way. I dont buy his disingenuous apology. As a black woman, I found his tirade disturbing and quite sad. Lynching isnt something that is open for comedic banter. If he was under the influence of drugs or booze, I'm not buying that as an excuse. As my grandmother always said, "A drunk mind speaks SOBER thoughts".

Playstation 3 Mania

Okay, is it just me or have folks lost their natural minds? Why in the sam hell would folks sit in line for 3 days to get this "TOY"?

People are getting shot IN LINE, robbed while on the way home and all this to MAYBE sell it on eBay for a huge profit.

Isn't your life worth more than just $699?

The Bible Experience

This is a beautiful expression of God's Love. To bring HIS word to life with this AMAZING cast, is nothing short of a miracle.

Please enjoy this video and think about adding this to your library.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I cannot think of a better reason to come back to my blog. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women of color have a 32% death rate for this and I'm making sure that I pass my pink ribbon around to get the important messages of monthly self exams and mammograms out. During the next couple of days I will be adding resources such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

http://www.komen.org

I was listening to the Tom Joyner radio show this morning featuring Patti LaBelle as a call in guest. She spoke of her and her family's struggles with Breast Cancer, as well as diabetes.

Ms. LaBelle is kicking off a National Mega church tour, featuring Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary and a host of other artists, to promote her 1st Gospel CD. "The Gospel According to Patti" and the proceeds from its sales will go to breast cancer charities. I don't know about yall, but this will def be on my shopping list.




Do ya thang Ms Labelle. I speak your name.

Easter Clothes

Easter is always a special time of year. Being able to get my daughter her Easter outfit takes me back to my own memories of shopping as a child. Here is my post from last Easter that sums up those feelings.

My best memories of Easter are with my grandmother, "Mother Dear" as we called her, spending all day Easter's eve Saturday pressing hair. Getting our hair done for a holiday was a big event for my cousins and I, despite being tender headed. Sitting in her kitchen, one by one, hair wet from a thorough washing, we sat patiently until our turn.

The air was filled with a strange bouquet of pressed hair, hair pomade and shampoo. If we behaved, there was ice cream, if we didn't, there was a switch. Now "Dear" was a woman that ruled her house with a velvet glove. Very few times did we have to be reprimanded, she was such a loving woman. She would spend hours standing up to grease, part, pressed and style up to 3 heads. It was as natural to her as breathing for this holiday ritual.

As we dressed the next morning, sometimes in similar garments, or at times matching ones, we would "play fight" for mirror time to twirl and admire her handy work. Topping us off with hats, gloves, matching purses and shoes, my little crew of cousins and I skipped outside on the porch to be transported to the annual Easter church service.

Memories like these are what I cherish most about holidays. I understand the significance of this day and would never diminish it, but to reminisce about family is sweeter than jelly beans.

MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION

Uh oh! Madea's back! Now she is taking on her family reunion. Tyler Perry's sophomore entry into films, brings back the lovable "Madea", the gun wielding, no nonsense, urban sage of the family.

"Madea's Family Reunion" opens today.

Here is a wonderful article from Beliefnet.com on Tyler Perry's look at the themes of family and forgiveness.

http://www.beliefnet.com/nllp/Inspiration.aspx?WT.mc_id=Inspiration01&date=02-24-2006

Missing YOU! :)

I have missed you all so much. With the new job comes new schedules, less time and more headaches. But I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee my job!

I really like my new coworkers and it is great feeling competent again. Now that I am flexing into full time, I am pretty much falling asleep earlier and earlier. *lol*

But I will be back to post more often.

Ciao 4 now :)