The Random Question Meme

I was catching up to reading blogs and came across this post of 20 random things from my girl Kristin so I figured why not... I'm lazy anyway ;) She got the post idea from here. (Like Kristin did, a couple question were edited to make sense)

1. When showering, do you start the water and then get in, or get in then start the water? I start the water and then get in.

2. Have you ever showered with someone of the opposite sex? Um yeah!! Isn't it the green thing to do?

3. Were you ever been forced to shower with one of your siblings? Yes *evil glare*

4. Have you ever dropped your soap on your foot? Yes, I'm clumsy like that.

5. How old do people say you look? I get anywhere from 18-20 something. I don't argue with that!

6. How old do you act? My daughters tell me I act like a child most of the time. I agree. I think I act like I am in my 20's since I don't feel as old as I am. I do however know when to act my age ;)

7. What’s the last song you sang? Party Rock. I blame it on the teenagers.

8. Have you recently become a member of anything? Yes, a couple Facebook Groups.

9. What are your plans for next weekend? I am hosting a dinner party and we will see what else happens.

10. Do you kiss with your eyes open or closed? Both!

11. Whats the sexiest thing about Sarah Palin? She is pretty and that is about it. I think once she opens her mouth all sexiness goes out the door.

12. Who’s the sexiest famous woman alive? Halle Berry.

13. Who’s the sexiest famous man alive? George Clooney

14. Does your family have a crazy uncle? Of course! Don't we all?

15. Have you ever smuggled something into another country? No.

16. Do you live in a city with a good sports team? According to the local people, Yes. I personally don't care.

17. What is the most unusual thing you are obsessed with? I can't stand dirty car windows or any dirty glass surfaces. I have cleaned other people's car windows because it bothered me that much.

18. How do feel about the Goth people? They are people and are entitled to being who they are!

19. Can you fix or your significant other your own car? Hell no.

20. Would you want to kill Casey Anthony yourself if you were guaranteed to get away with it? No way. Not my style...I'm way too pretty to be violent. Now you mess with my kids....

Feel free to participate and let me know if you do :)

Wordless Wednesday

Look at these two! I stole the idea of putting the juicebox in the cup from my friend Tanyetta.
No more squeezing! Thanks Tanyetta and Gracen! :)

10 Facts you didn't know about me

I stole this post idea from my sweet friend Lisa of New York Chica.

1. I don't like the beach. Sand and sea water, no thanks.
   
2. I have not worn a swimsuit in 3 years. My cellulite has gotten worse since having the last kiddo. I'm thinking I need a swim skirt.
3. I have had a professional manicure/pedicure once in my life.
   
4. I dislike shoe shopping.
   
5. I think my family might be the only family in America that does not own a gaming system of any kind. We don't plan on ever buying one either.
   
6. Although I am not big into travel, I would love to go on an Alaskan cruise before I leave this earth. Oh yeah and I want to go to Las Vegas.
   
7. I love foot and neck massages. I just don't like it done by a professional. Something about strangers touching me...
8. I get really uncomfortable in crowded places and elevators. I will pretend I forgot something just to avoid getting into an elevator with others.
   
9. I love beer. I craved it so much when I was pregnant with William. I try not to drink it too much since I think it is the culprit to my weight gain.
   
10. Most of my young life I wanted to get a boob job. It took me turning 30 to realize that I was crazy. I am so glad I never went through with it!
    

Now it's your turn to share some facts about yourself!

WTH? Wednesday

So many things make me say WTH?! First up...Why in life do people think it is okay to call married folks (with kids) house after 10 pm? It is so freakin' inconsiderate and rude. I hate that. Another thing that makes me say WTH is when your "friends" on Facebook go through your friends list and request to be friends with your friends. Childish and stupid. Can you say "Remove from friends"? Another WTH is when newbie bloggers steal from seasoned bloggers. It is tacky and tasteless so stop it. Be original and find your own way. I also don't understand how people steal your little catch-phrases and make it theirs. Once again, be original. Can you tell I'm annoyed? Got anything that has you saying WTH?? Share it in the comments!

Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

I wanted to share this great daily giveaway of a free weekend stay at any Hampton Hotel. It's called the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes. The grand prize is an entire hotel for a weekend
(100 rooms for 2 nights) and 100 first prizes of weekend stays given away daily for the winner and three of their friends. How much fun would that be?! It's so simple to enter, all you need is your basic information and you qualify to win! I could not even imagine having an entire hotel for 2 nights! Even the weekend stay with 3 friends would be amazing. It would be a great way to have a girls or guys weekend together to catch up with friends without the hustle and bustle of the work week. It is almost like a retreat. I think if I won I would offer to meet up with a few blog mommies in a centrally located city, maybe Atlanta for a fun weekend away. I would also consider a few of my teacher friends locally to go to a Hampton Hotel right here in my home city for a weekend of fun.

Question: If you won, where would you go? What Hampton Hotel would you stay at? Who would you bring with you?

Self-portrait advice

For my friends that know me well or read my blog regularly, you should know that I am not a fan of the bathroom mirror self-portraits. I just think it is tacky and maybe I am just a big, fat hater since I never look good in those photos anyway. Just a little advice to you: If you are going to post this type of photo then please be sure your bathroom mirror is actually clean. Also check to make sure you do not get your toilet in the shot. Last, if you are not a very tidy person you might consider not having any background to the shot. Make sense?? Just a little friendly advice...

Some great guidelines for Facebook

For a lot of us who are frequent "Facebookers" I have taken the time to compile a list of no-no's for Facebook.

* It is not nice to go through other people’s friends list and add them without knowing them. If you are just trying to have a lot of friends, this is not a good way.
* If you invite someone to join your network, site, mafias, farms, etc. or any other interest and they have not responded, this is a good sign they are NOT interested. Frequent invites are annoying and need to stop.
* If you send too many virtual gifts to others, you might get blocked from their stream.
* It is not cool to use a fake name or picture. It can hinder you from people you actually know from adding you.If you go as Mike "Keepin'itPimpin" Johnson and you have a profile pic of Lil Wayne, chances are you will NOT get added.
* Cursing on your status or on someone’s wall. In my book that is almost instant deletion. Keep it clean, you never know who can see it. I have a teenager on FB so I respect her.
* If someone removes you as a friends leave it alone. They had their reasons so don’t be childish sending daily requests and messages asking why you deleted them.
* If you keep your wall closed and do not allow comments on any of your photos, status or notes then why are you on FB is the first place??
* Do not friend strangers just to pitch your business to them. Collecting email addresses from your “friends” is just wrong. I do not want to buy your organic juice, host a party or purchase panties that will make me melt away my fat. Thanks, but no thanks!!
* If you have an issue with someone or have something personal to discuss DO NOT post it on their public wall. Inbox them. There are some things that should never be publicized.
* It might be a good idea to not tag someone in a photo that could cause humiliation or problems for them. I have seen people in provocative photos posted by others. While on the subject of photos, you might want to be careful what you post. Jobs are looking at FB and a lot of people have been terminated over FB. It’s not that important people!


Please, if you have anything to add by all means we want to hear it!!

Interview with Melissa Joan Hart & Soliel Moon Frye/ Better Together

Today I had the pleasure of getting to speak with and interview Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch) and Soliel Moon Frye (Punky Brewster) over the phone and web. They have been working on an awesome campaign sponsored by Gain called “Better Together”. They actually had a Better Together Friendship Party at Melissa’s candy store called SweetHarts in Los Angeles yesterday. The message behind "Better Together" comes from Gain talking about when you use their awesome detergent along with the fabric softener they are better together. Just like how friends can get together in any way whether it is just coffee or an organized party. Making time for your friends will help to strengthen as well lengthen those relationships. I have to say, these ladies were just as sweet and warm as can be and they have really fired me up to get together more with my own friends! Here is a video from the interview. Thank you to all my Facebook buddies for their support, it was very much appreciated!

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Momfiles Blog Friends

Sophistishe: Finding Zen in Being Human

Gobble Gobble!

To all of our friends in the blog world, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

A quick post on friends

Friends are the ones that show you compassion and concern when the big stuff happens.

Friends tell you the things you don't want to hear.

Friends keep it real. No sugarcoating.

Friends lend a hand or a voice without having to be asked.

Friends make you laugh until you cry.

Friends become your family and show what family really is.

Friends give without looking to be rewarded.

Friends are forgiving.

I LOVE my friends :-)

One Lovely Blog Award

I was presented this sweet little award from Lisa over at Lisa C Writes. She was so gracious to choose to give it to me because of the friendship with have built over the past 2 years through blogging. It's really neat how you "meet" people from all over the world through blogging and I have made some amazing friends that have truly become like family. Lisa is one beautiful woman inside and out and is an outstanding mother and wife. You can count on her to always have kind and encouraging words. If you ever want to know more about natural living then she is your girl! Now I will share the love. I would like to pass this Lovely Blog Award on to:

• Kristin- I just love her sense of humor and spunk! She is so ridiculously creative.
  
• Renee- she is amazing and is very inspiring.
  
• Beautiful Mess- just because when she leaves comments she always ends it with *HUGS* and she makes me smile.
• Sean- such a cool guy that makes your mouth water when you stop by his spot!
  
• Tanyetta- because she is as genuine as they come. I love her!!!
  

You folks truly rock and I'm so glad to know you!

Today is the day!

I am so excited that today is finally the day that my dear friend Tanyetta will have her baby! I am waiting anxiously with my cellphone attached to my body at all times to hear the news. Since she is on Cali time I am forced to wait even longer. I can't wait to welcome baby McKoy to the world! You should check out the sweet letter she wrote to her baby :) This baby will be a part of an awesome family, that's for sure!!

Are you on FB?

Are you on Facebook? Well if you aren't, I encourage you to join! I know some of you think that something like Facebook is for losers but really you would be amazed what a great tool it can be. You can keep in touch with family, friends, blog pals, Twitter contacts and people you haven't thought of in 100 years! I really like the fact that you don't necessarily have to 'speak' to anyone. You can check in on them and see what is new without having the obligation of physical interaction. You can view your friends' photos, videos, notes and more. I have been able to link up with a lot of people from blogland and even those that thought they would never join (you know who you are!) Feel free to add us to your friends list. Those of you that are addicted to FB need to join a support group lol! Trust me, you can get addicted and I am no loser!

Reflections of 2008

Well another year is getting ready to come to a close. It goes by so fast it's unreal! There were so many things that happened over this year, both good and bad. I have taken everything as a learning lesson. I know that you are never to old to learn. Unless you are 16 then you know it all ha ha! I think the biggest thing I learned this year is how important it is to get all the toxic people out of my life in order to grow. You are probably thinking that I should know that by now and I do. I guess I just tend to be too nice and tolerate a lot of things that I don't always look at as tolerating. There eventually comes that 'enough is enough' feeling that wakes up inside of you and makes you do something about it. This year has brought so much clarity to me and has allowed me to rid my life of a lot of toxic people and behaviors. I am still very flawed but I know I will learn more and more as the years go by. I am so grateful that I had my healthy baby boy and that my family continues to stay strong and persevere. I am extremely grateful to have such a wonderful husband that keeps me on my toes and is a strong father to our children. I know I give him a hard time (that's my job) but he is awesome and I could not make it through a lot of things without him by my side and always having my back. Before I say anything else nice about Dwayne I will stop here. No need in getting carried away!

What is the most important thing you learned in 2008? Please share :)

Winner of BLYA Contest

Congratulations to the winner of the Business Leaders Youth Alliance traffic contest. Chryss S. She made the only comment for the contest, but her comment really captures what Dwayne is trying to do.

Ismail, I am glad that you have come up with something for our youth. Being a single mother, I am always seeking different avenues for my children to explore to aide them in being productive citizens/youth in our community. I am just so glad that this program will not only reach the youth, jobs skills, but also teach them how to utilize what they have learned in everyday life. Ismail, you the man!!!! Thank you again for a program that will open may opportunities for our youth!!!!

Do you have time to care?

Just curious...

Do you often say "I don't have any time".

I was talking to a friend of mine on this subject a couple weeks ago. We discussed how people often say they have no time. Now, when you have to go to work... you set your alarm clock, you lay out your clothes, you grab something quick to eat and you run out the door so you are not late for work. (Maybe it's not always done that way but you get what I'm saying) We do this because it is our responsibility. You and your family depend on that paycheck. Now what if you get a call and someone wants to get together for coffee or would like to drop by for a quick visit. I bet in the back of your mind you think "I don't have time for this. I work and have responsibilities. I'll just make an excuse to get out of it." I think we all do this at times, we are all human after all. My point about this is that we only make time for what is important to ourselves.

How long does it actually take to send an email that you can type up in less than a minute while paying your bills or checking your email?

How hard is it to call someone you care about and tell them you only have a couple minutes to talk, but you wanted to see how they were doing?

How much time does it take to send a text message to say hello?

I'm not always the best at keeping in touch with everybody and their mamas, but I do give the effort for those I care about and sometimes for people I have never even met. Yes, I have 3 kids, a husband, a home, bills, responsibilities and so on... I still take time for others even if it's for 2 minutes. Those 2 minutes can speak volumes to someone.

With all that being said, I challenge you to pop an email, a text or a quick call to someone you have not done your best to keep in touch with. After all, life is not just about you.