Wearing Weave as Protective Style: NO or a GO

Hey Naturalistas,

Idk if I told you guys, but I now work in a Hair Salon and with a stylist that specializes in natural hair!

She is great and I have learned a lot about styling hair effectively and using products that are good for my hair versus everything under the sun! lol

Recently though I have been walking more and working to incorporate a more vigorous work out routine to get better results.

Then came the "uh-oh" moment when I couldn't figure out what to do with my hair! UGH!

I have been so "anti-weave" for a long time. Not on others, but myself. I don't like all that hair piled on top of my head, but now that my hair is a little shorter than I am used to (since my 2nd big chop back in June).  It can easily be braided to look flat and he hair won't have that helmet effect.

 Part of me wants a full sew-in (done properly with hot oil treatment on my actual hair before braiding) and the other part just wants a partial to save money and time.Then the natural hair ninja inside of me starts to stir and I feel guilty a little.

Here are some examples of what I was thinking for myself:

Weave or NOT!

What do you think? Any other textures you like? What brand is the best to go with?  

Check out what my girl MopTop Maven has to say about proper ways to use weave as a protective style! Enjoy and comment below!



Health Alert: "Refined' Peanut Oil Flop

Staying Strong During the Holidays!

Hey pretty people!

If you have been following the blog recently, you know that I am struggling with my weight. I was on the right path to losing weight and getting healthier until I broke my ankle back in May of this year. After five months of recovery and a few weeks of therapy, I am finally ready to get back on that horse. I have found lately that I am a little more stressed than usual, so I eat more. My will to do better as far as my weight-loss has sort-of taken a back seat to other major issues in my life. Plus I was discouraged when I found that after working out and eating better for a few weeks, I did not lose one single pound. I think I may have lost some water weight because some of my tighter pants are fitting loosely now, but very little else has happened in that area and I am not happy. I know you are not supposed to get down on yourself, but I am only human. I refuse to give up though!


I know that the holiday season is usually very stressful for many people who celebrate Christmas and other holidays. I know better not to get wrapped up in all the hoop-lah, but this past Monday we were in an apartment fire that displaced us for three days. The details surrounding the fire are very sensitive, but someone did lose their life, unfortunately. Along with the fact that less than two weeks ago I was diagnosed with strep throat coupled with flu-like symptoms. A-whole-lot has been happening and it seems very hard to keep on the right track as far as taking care of myself. I've been looking at other women who inspire me via Instagram and Facebook, but seeing their weight-loss success only makes me feel worse about my lack of progress. I am not sure what to do, but I am beginning to realize that if I don't push myself, no one will. I must do this for my own health and more importantly, to set the proper example for my babies!

How do you cope with stress? Are you extra stressed out during the holidays? Are you currently losing weight? How do you deal with set backs?
Please post below! and THANK YOU :D


                                                                              (a pic of the actual fire my roommate took)

Naturalista ShoutOut: Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer has been warming our hearts with her skills on the silver screen for lil' min now! I first saw her in "Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion", but her big screen debut came back in 2004 in "Barbershop 2" as Queen Latifah's niece. I loved her in "Akeelah and The Bee" personally, I felt that movie really allowed her to show her acting chops as the leading role opposite heavyweights Angela Bassett and Lawrence Fishburne.  Since Keke has blown up she has given her time to many charities and in the last year, or so, debuted her afro via Instagram. I loved it! This young diva has managed to stay in the spotlight without getting a whole-lot of negative press. We just saw her in VH1's "TLC Movie", where she portrayed "Chili" the groups sexy lead singer. It was the biggest TV movie this year to date! Recently she signed on to join legend Cicely Tyson and Blair Underwood in the remake of the iconic TV movie "Trip to Bountiful".

YOU GO GIRL!  

Here's a few of my fave pics of Miss Keke below...

Rocking the 'fro!

Keke (middle) in the "TLC Movie" on VH1

20 years old now!

@ The 44th Image Awards

posted to Instagram 

gettin' her tresses pressed

Latest layered curly style! I ♥ it! 

Health Alert: Your Daughter's Fast Development

Hello Naturalistas,

I was just reading along on MSN when I stumbled upon this headlined article this morning!

"Childhood obesity tied to early puberty in girls"

Well duh! Most of us who are a little informed about the general development prepubescent teens, know that when they are obese it disrupts the regulation of hormones throughout the body. Simply because being overweight is unhealthy and it forces the body to "grow up" faster than they are supposed to.

It is no surprise to me that more and more or our children are developing much quicker. We have known for years that America is the fattest country in the world and although one of the most powerful, our diets do not reflect it. Most of us are indeed malnourished even though we are overweight. I have found that when ever I eat properly and consume the proper amount of vitamins and minerals, I lose weight from that alone coupled with portion control and activity. Your body will regulate itself to a degree once you take steps to cleanse it of all its impurities. Not to mention all the excess radiation from pesticides and fertilizer. Those things definitely do contribute as well.

Also, if you know like I do, organic food is far more expensive than the store brand or unhealthy food. So it is becoming harder and harder to feed your children healthy, filling meals three (or more) times a day. And with everyone on the run and lack of family structure, our kids are left to fend for themselves when it comes to preparing and consuming food. We have not taught them healthy habits and we often fall short of setting an example. As mothers and fathers we have to live it if we expect our children to do the same.

I read this article with a slight smugness until I came upon the part where the consulting doctor mentioned statistics for Asian girls, white girls and black girls. Of course, I found that black little girls develop at a faster rate than most white and Asian girls, but then the article stated that white girls are "catching up" to black girls. I am not sure why that little bit of information was mentioned in the article, but I found it very interesting. Almost as if this was bad! SMH

NEWSFLASH! Look around you. 'NUFF SAID...

Anbyhoo, as a black, single mother I know the odds are stacked against my children. They come from a single parent household and hey live in a city that is known for its violence and drug reputation. I feel though, however, that I feed my children well and by well, I mean fresh veggies, lean cuts of meat, very limited sugar intake and plenty of water and exercise. I feel as long as I continue to monitor those things, they will not have a problem with obesity in the future!

What do you think about the article??? Where you an overweight child??? Are your children overweight??? Lemme know what you think! Post below :)

Health Alert: Ways to Support Healthy Digestion

'Sup Mommas and Poppas!


As you guys know I am not only a 'Hair Mom" but a "Health Mom" too! I am on a mission to create and maintain health habits in my own family. Along with a healthy diet and daily activity I'm learning that it is still very important for me to regulate my digestion, which may or may not be allowing my body to absorb all the much needed nutrients that promote overall good health. I decided to drink a detox tea I found at Whole Foods and make sure to fast every now and then to cleanse my intestinal track. While researching I found this great article from our friends at Truth Theory . I like some of their general posts bc they are light and ring true more often than not. I have been using these tips for the last 2 weeks and I must say, I feel better! 
One tip I practice:

Eat food slowly and chew thoroughly! Such a simple way to ensure better digestion, let me tell you. Its so simple, but most of us don't notice that we eat like ducks! lol Not chewing enough and then swallowing lumps of food that our stomachs and intestines have to work harder to break apart for digestion. This often leaves something behind and then buildup occurs. CHEW YOUR FOOD slowly and often you will find that you eat less bc it gives the stomach time to tell the brain that your're full. Instead of eating fast slow down and chew vigorously! lol 



Check out the article in the link below and let me know what you think! 

>>>Steps For Easy Digestion<<< 

Style SEAT!

CLICK ON THIS BADGE AND visit a hair community all its own! Our very own SoulTress has her own page! CLICK and find a stylist near you to book TODAY! 

Family Movie Night: Madagascar 3

Hey Coily Divas!

This is one of my favorite things to talk about! My family! (awwwwww) lol
This past weekend we had a sleepover for my angels fourth birthday! IT WAS GREAT!!! We did mani-pedi-facials and went outside for some chalk-to-sidewalk arts and crafts and watched a few girly movies like "Bring It On" and "Uptown Girls".

Anyhoo...

A few days ago just me and the kids watched this one though. I chose this movie bc the kids love it! My daughter calls Madagascar III, "Move it, move it". LOL so cute :)
Its so adorable, she goes "Mommy can we watch "Move it, move it"? It makes me melt into a pile of Mommy-ness. My one year old love this one simply because its kinda all over the place and it utilizes pop songs in its soundtrack.He likes when "Firework" by Katy Perry comes on!
The plot of this one is simple. If you've seen parts one and two then this one is not hard to follow. We left off of part two when the penguins and the monkeys left the other animals on an island and promised to come back for them. In part it picks up with the main four on the island figuring ways to get off and find their penguin counterparts.
The main characters are: Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett-Smith) and David Schwimmer as Melman the nervous giraffe. Martin Short lends his Italian accent for the voice of Stephano the sea lion, Bryan Cranston from "Breaking Bad" plays the voice of Vitaly and Jessica Chastain voices Gia the trapeze-flying tiger!


The penguins are by far the funniest group in this one and the movie does slip little stereotypes in here and there that one cannot help but notice (You'll see what I mean).
 I liked how the animals came together in the end to help their new found circus friends. Then they realize that there is more to life than being stuck in your "box". The message was a good one. However, bc of all the little stereotypes in the film the kids won't be watching that often. They have seen it a lot already to be honest, but I am monitoring how many times its seen with in a two-four week period.



What movies do you like to watch at home with your kids!?!? 

Health Alert!

 

!!!Hey Ladies and Gentleman!!!

 

This addition of Health Alert is jam packed with tid-bits that I have been contemplating while taking my "break". I came across a few things that struck me as important and I just had to share!

 The first I stumbled upon on MSN. The headline really caught my eye: "Brain Eating Amoebas" So yeah lol that's kinda something I'd like to learn about (chuckle). I'll let you read that one and tell me what you think. I could go on and on about all the communicable diseases out there, but just to know that there is a possibility (though small) that I could contract flesh eating bacteria, is enough to make me completely paranoid, but life goes on...

 

So while I am washing my hands and disinfecting regularly I keep in mind that some germs are actually good for you. In this age of hand sanitizers and bleach this and that, we have made regular germs stronger to keep up. Our immune systems aren't able to fight off these germs effectively bc people are so OCD and afraid of dirt, or constantly sanitizing, or disinfecting with Lysol wipes. The foods we eat are being chemically altered and its becoming less clear what something is and what exactly is in it. This affects our immune systems as well. So after stumbling upon this eye opener article, I began to research ways to improve my immune system and how it ties in to my overall health. Here are three of the tips I found most helpful:

 

1.

I read that one should drink half of their body weight in ounces of water everyday to aid in weight loss and curve ones appetite. For example: someone who weighs 150 pounds should drink half of her weight (75 pounds) but in ounces (75 - pounds +ounces = 75 ounces). Same formula works for someone 200 pounds or more. I would have to drink 115 ounces!!! Yes, you do the math, LOL!

That was in the September edition of Essence magazine. Pick it up now! I think this is helpful bc we do not drink enough healthy water. Most people who are over weight also drink their calories which is definitely a set back when if your trying to cut back. Water is the most sure-fire way of not over doing it, calorie-wise, and helping with cleansing the body, making it less acidic. Also don't forget, filtered water is best to assure there aren't any fluoride deposits.

 

2.

I found that eating less red meat helps with your digestion. Now-a-days a lot of things are chemically altered even if the package boasts "All Natural" or "Made with REAL this-or-that". That's just advertising! If it doesn't have this little sticker on it, than more than likely its not organic. Most raw meats are not packaged with this label on it. I'll bet that you see things like "MSP" on your chicken. MSP means mechanically separated chicken, which means that although the package assures the product is all natural or free of hormones, its still altered chemically with some preservatives and mechanically manipulated. (Organic vs. Traditional Farming)

 

3.

And last but not least, I learned that 30-60 min of activity is all one needs everyday. It doesn't have to be vigorous running or weight lifting. Just walking instead of taking the car, or playing with your children or cleaning your house will suffice. Or if you're a stay-at-homer, like me for the time being, you do all three of those things on a daily basis... And I don't mean light cleaning or tidying up. CLEAN THAT JOINT GOOD! lol That's right! Put some elbow grease into it! Take the stairs instead of the escalator, don't phone it in (in the words of Jillian Michaels) make it all count!

 

Remember this as you go from summer to autumn, don't get lazy bc the season has changed! Healthy living is a year-round thing!

 

 

 

What are some of your fave tips? Share them here :D

 

Comments Below

 

 

 

 

Summer OVER: What to do now???

Hey Naturalistas!

My summer break is  O-V-over! lol

I decided to take a break from the internet for a while! My last post was on the 14th of last month and seeing as how tomorrow is the 5th that means I will have been gone from HNNY for three weeks! Whew! I enjoyed it, even though I missed you guys. So in the next few days I will be posting new editions of my regular posts and new articles and links to support Natural Beauty, parenthood and overall health! I will do this few weeks to make up for my lil vacation. (lol) Keep an eye out for new editions of:

Naturalista ShoutOut
Health Alerts
New recipes in the "Recipes" tab
Family Movie Night
.........AND
'Fro Woes from my girl SoulTress!

Not to mention...
I got the chance to reflect on my family life and my personal health. Truly,  I am still not happy with my overall health so I have decided to do more about it!

Along with eating healthier, I have decided to eat less often and even smaller portions! Its easier said then done, I must be honest. I find that being in the house all day, since my accident, I am bored sometime and head to the refrigerator out of habit! SMH I feel like my stomach is conditioned to be full (or close to it) for most of the day, so when I don't eat as much I feel hungry... I drink water all day long, but I usually crave fruit for the sweetness. I am aware that too much fruit is not a bad thing, but too much of anything is bad, I guess.

I am researching many things including ways to curve my appetite and do more to burn calories. More on this in the upcoming Health Alert!

In the mean time...

If you know any tricks to the trade THAT YOU HAVE TRIED please share them!

Comments Below :D

Length Check!

 

 

Its a little disheveled but you can sorta see where my hair has grown. I like to take my pics without make-up and in my regular clothes. I feel like extra factors make things look different and may present a false representation of my image. Here I am...

IN THE RAW! lol

 

 

What do you think? Share some of your hair journey pics!

 

Comments Below

Healthy Living Report: Diseased Lobster on the RISE!

Hey Momma's,


Just was getting online this morning... and up pops this disgusting picture of a diseased lobster (link to MSN) out of the fisheries of Maine.  EWWW

Lemme tell you people, this thing is ugly. I was immediately concerned bc I just so happen to love seafood. I buy a lot of seafood, including lobster on a regular basis. This type of thing only furthers my belief in the governments "Depopulation" efforts. Most conspiracy theorist are on board and know all about it. I don't claim to be a conspiracy theorist, but you have to admit sometimes, it all makes too much sense to ignore.



This does't just concern me bc of the lobster, but the overall environment they live in...
 Has the disease spread to other shellfish? Is the disease capable of traveling long distances from the Golf of Maine to other fisheries connected to that body of water? around the world? Who knows. All we know is what they tell us, and usually that is very tainted. Do your research people and share anything you know with us here at HNNY.

Leave any links or comments below. Any new information about this disease is greatly appreciated!
Comment Below

Special Report: Beyonce CUTS Her Hair!

STOP the hair presses people!!!

 

This is NOT a drill honey! That's right! Beyoncé a.k.a. Mrs. Carter has cut off all of her signature blonde tresses for a cute pixie cut. I found her pictures on Instagram this afternoon and was blown away! I love it though, I must say. A change for Miss "Who Runs The World" is looong overdue. Now is this a big chop??? I don't know, but what I do know is that if Beyoncé goes natural, I WOULD FALL OUT! Literally. We all know and love her lil' sis Solange who rocks her afro so effortlessly. I mean I would die....So very serious about that! ((  LOL  ))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checking herself out! Go Girl!

 

 

 

Stunning....

 

 

 

 

Beyoncé before heading out to a shin-dig in New York...

 

 

What do you think of Beyoncé's cute cut? Comments Below :D

 

 

Naturalista ShoutOut V: The Ross Family

 What can one say about the fabulous Miss Diana Ross?

 

This woman is beyond phenomenal and after over 40 years of being on top of the music business her portfolio is huge! We loved her music and her acting and her philanthropic efforts across the globe. She has topped the charts with her pop vocals and starred in classic movies whether she is the black Dorothy in "The Wiz" or portraying blues legend Billie Holiday in "Lady Sings the Blues".

 

Personally one of the moments that stand out in my mind is when Diana Ross touched Lil Kim's boob at the MTV Music Awards a few years ago. Priceless.... Although much, much more comes to mind when I think of this music icon, her fashion, her family and her stupendous natural tresses come to the forefront for me! I follow her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross on Instagram. ANNND still to this day sing her songs and watch her and Michael in "The Wiz" from time to time. Her legacy is great and her children are just as awesome as she. They also rock the natural hair and support green efforts around the world. We all have come to know Miss Ross for keeping a head full of her own NATURAL hair! (well most of the time she admitted to Oprah lol)

 

 Although Tracee is probably the most famous Ross sibling, her brothers and sisters can be seen rubbing elbows with Hollywood elites and attending A-list events with their mom. Check out some of my fav pics of her and her kids through out the years! Rock on y'all! (<<

 

Check out my take on Tracee's "Hair Love" Video

 

 

 

 

Diana with Tracee, Rhonda, and Chudney

 

 

Ross and Michael Jackson (often Ross exclaimed that she loved Michael as a son)

Ross in 1973 on the cover of Ebony with her girls...

 

 

The Ross Family (from left) Ross, Tracee, Rhonda, Diana, Evan and Chudney

Everyone with Oprah!

Ross with son Evan at a Lakers game...

Mom and Daughter

Ross in all her AFRO glory!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(accept no credit for images and websites, outside content does not belong to me)

 

 

Family Movie Night: 101 Dalmatians

Hey Naturalistas!

    This weeks FMN (Family Movie Night) entry comes via Netflix once again. I love it! It's only nine dollars a month and you get loads of movies and shows right at your finger tips. One might argue that its a great alternative to cable, but that's another post lol.

   This past week end we watched one of my favorite movies of my childhood! 101 Dalmatians! It wasn't the cartoon, no. I thought the cartoon was for older kids bc of the animation and subject matter. I remember when I was young, I watched the cartoon version and was bored until I tried watching it a couple of years later and was able to sit through it. I tried to imagine myself as a three year old and that's what I came up with. Plus! The movie has puppies! Now who doesn't like puppies (giggle).


   In case you didn't know, the plot is based around a single man, Roger, and a single woman, Anita. Both of them live in London, England where they meet each other by chance and discover that they both have an affinity for Dalmatians. They later get married and Anita's boss, Cruela,  soon learns that Purdy and Pongo (the dogs) are expecting puppies. Cruela then hatches a plan to capture the puppies to turn them into a coat!  CRUEL-a is right, what a horrible woman. The puppy parents and their woodland friends do all they can to get the puppies back and eventually stop Cruela and her henchmen.

The movie featured Glenn Close as Cruela de Vil. She's this wealthy, obnoxious diva who has a fur fetish, to say the least. She loves fur people! Now the people at PITA may not like it, but that's her drug of choice. (lol)  She reminds of an early, erratic, slightly more crazy version of Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada".  Jeff Daniels also graced the screen as Roger and Joely Richardson played his wife, Anita.  Also the wonderful Joan Plowright played Nanny, Anita's childhood caregiver and Hugh Laurie (the lead character in TV's "House") was Jasper, de Vil's henchman.

The puppies were so cute! MJ liked those parts the most. Of course Noah was off doing his own thing, but he sat down from time to time through out the movie to catch a few frames.
I enjoyed it too!

Next week its "James and the Giant Peach" ! 

What do you think??? Is there a movie that you used to watch as a child that you want your children to watch??? Why not start a movie night!

Lemme know what you think! Comments below:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(accept no credite for content from outside media, pictures and websites) 

My Angel's Wash Day

Hey People!

 This post comes to you via my little angel M.J.!!!!

  She is my inspiration for many of the articles I write. Her hair is massive and so is her wonderful smile. And child, you know she's as bright as a tanning bed, because momma don't play about book learning' .....LOL

  Naw, but seriously my princess is great. I could go on and on about her massive vocabulary, or her intelligence or her funny imagination or her wonderful personality or her overall giant cutey pie-ness, but I won't! HEHEHE
 Yes, although she is going through her 3-4 year old temper tantrum slash smart mouth phase, she is still very even tempered and sweet as pie. We get nonstop compliments walking, well, anywhere we are! lol I never get enough of them!
Last year I showed her length and hair wash regimen in a post that got a lot of attention! 

This time I am showing a pictorial. We have switched back to "Just For Me" Hair Milk by Soft-n-Beautiful. Her regimen is basically the same except now we wash her hair in the kitchen sink. I lay her down flat on the counter over a towel and let her head hang into the sink. I cradle her head in my left hand and use the right hand to wash mostly. Its a little bit better than the tub although, in the tub its a little more convenient for obvious reasons.

The pictorial is pretty much self explanatory LOL

(Clockwise from top left) M.J. before the wash, the products used for the whole process, after the wash, and finally a length check.)



What do you think? Does your little one have a hair care regimen??? Lets share tips! Comments welcome below :D



LOOK OUT FOR MORE PICTORIALS STARING M.J. in the future!

Family Movie Night IV: The Lorax

Hey there ppl,

 

 This post update is coming a little over a week later, but here it is nonetheless people!

I planned to watch Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but I think that particular Disney classic did not hold the interest of my children.  Keep in mind they are one and three, and I think the overall tone and subject matter is a bit too mature for them right now. They got maybe 10 minutes into the film and wanted to do something else! So we watched a family favorite! Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax".



I know you have heard about this movie and may have seen it for yourself. I personally love the cast PLUS the colors and animation hold the attention of a busy 16 month old and an inquisitive three year old. (The cast includes: Ed Helms, Danny DeVito, Betty White and Taylor Swift) This film is close to my heart. It touches on so much, idk where to begin.

(inhales deep) Lemme see......:
social acceptance, fulfilling your dreams, motivation, bad association, the earth and the trees/ecosystem, greed, doing what's right and most of all doing what's best for everyone not just yourself, or in one word "selflessness"... (exhales)

There's so much more really, but overall the movie is about the trees. Saving them and it shows how the world will someday need to buy air! Can you imagine? Actually having to BUY air? I mean, if you think about it, it's not really that far fetched you know. I have no doubt that with the condition the earth is in and the rate at which we are depleting natural resources and the polar caps are melting and everything else you could name, we will need to buy air sooner rather than later. Its very scary, but not unrealistic, I must confess. Movies like this are sorely needed, in a world where what you have on is essentially much more important than your green thumb.

What do you think?
What movies have you watched with your little ones???
Comments def welcome :D
 

Naturalista ShoutOut III: Jill Scott

SUUUUUUP! lol


I can only start by saying that I love this woman's work so much, that I resemble her! LOL, jk but seriously people say we look alike. What do you think? Check out my post about this from a couple of weeks ago ;)

Miss Jill Scott has been laying down tracks for the last fifteen years as an independent and major label artist. Her struggles with her weight were not in the forefront of her life, but BOY! did we notice that weight-loss honey! YASSSSS -three snaps- , and she graces the covers of many major magazines here and there rocking her curves and natural hair. Although she gets it flat-ironed more now, we all know that Miss Scott has had the 'fro since way back when she was singing'  "Let's take a long walk...."

(looks for the song on my iPad 2 lol)

Man I tell you this diva's resume is long and she has talent to spare. Acting, producing, philanthropy and of course her soulful music that will always and forever remain on my playlist! I can go on and on but the proof is in the pudding ladies and gentlemen... Check out some of my favorite recent pics of the phenomenal Miss JILL SCOTT!

Slim and fierce!

Natural glow!

Rockin the pomp before the weight-loss...

Afro-licious!

 Stylish and Sophisticated...

Sparkling for the cause...

Main-stream Diva!

                 
              Before<<<<                                                                       >>>>After 

A Single Mother's Blues (An Original Poem)

A Single Mother's Blues
 

 

 

ALARM CLOCK!
I'm still tired from the day before

Kids are up, breakfast

My babies, my strength, my reasons for life and love

Get dressed, clothes are nice but no man to get my son dressed

My daughter has never seen a man shaving in the sink

My son will only have me to teach him how to pee

Daycare, after getting off the bus, walking... walking... walking...

 

School, still tired from the day before, no money to buy lunch gotta get diapers

Leaning on my arm trying to catch some Z's in class

Busted! Professor calls me out, I'm up, I'm up

Homework, computer lab, lost track of time

Now its time to get the kids, running late...DAMN!

 

Hot bus, Daycare, late fee, my last 20 dollars 'til pay day... no diapers 'til then

Sideways looks from other women who have men at home waiting for them

They found good men and did everything right, not me smh, feels my eyes well up...

No time for that now!!!!

No help to get the coats on, no one to help carry the stroller and bags

Struggle onto the bus, back home walking.... walking.... walking....

 

Dinner, kids are hungry

The baby needs diapers, stretch the last few for one more day, stuck

My little one is smart and asks many questions, when will she ask about her father?  Idk

Worries, aches, longs, headache, back pain, tears on a hard pillow

Homework, read to the babies, teach them ABC's 123's

Baths, lotion, night clothes, Bedtime for them... Me, work

 

The graveyard shift, up all night still tired from the day before

Drifting, falling asleep standing up, Busted! Boss yells my name, I'm up, I'm up

Bills, due next week, savings almost gone bc last month the fridge broke

Zombie, walking home from the bus stop

Sad, confused, lonely, heartbroken, tired and down

 

Lays down....

45 min later.......

 

 ALARM CLOCK!

 

 

 

SIDE NOTE:((( I hope you guys enjoyed this piece... It was written at a moment when I was crying, this is how I felt. I love my children more than anything in the ENTIRE world and this poem is not to bash my life as a mom, but more like a venting session. I hope that people won't judge too harshly when they read it. Thank you! Comments below  =) )))

 

 

 

 

 

 



(accept no credit for the art depicted in the post, found on Google Images)

Site UPDATES!

Idk if you've noticed but I change the background pic on the site every-so-often.

 

 

 

I want you guys to be in on it! I will posting a poll soon with some "Afro Art" (along with the artists name and info). We will be taking comments too, which one will you like??? Stick around to see!

 

 

ANNNNNND....

 

Check out all the information updates made to every tab on this site, I have added new pics as well as links.

 

 

 

What exactly, lol, --zips my lips--

 

NOT TELLING!
LMBO

Family Movie Night: Mulan

Hey family!

This is the third installment of this little thing I like to call Family Movie Night. The past few days have been unbearably hot so I have not taken the kids out much at all. We have been watching movies on Netflix :). I use my dad's Netflix account like a bandit LOL! I need to get my own, but any hoo LOL

In this edition I will reviewing a Disney classic, Mulan.

Most of us are of age and have seen most, if not all of Disney's major motion picture classics, whether animated or live. I love such classics as Beauty and The Beast, Jungle Book,  The Aristocats, the Humpback of Notre Dame, The Lion King,  Pocahontas, I could go on and on!

Two days ago me and the kiddies watched "Mulan".  My three year old daughter sat trough the whole thing and was very intrigued. She asked, "Mommy is Mulan like Kai-lan?" (a Chinese character similar to the Hispanic character Dora in the sense that they introduce children to their culture and language).  I smiled and looked down at her and said "Yes, they are both from China."

I am so proud of my little girl, she is so bright and extremely sweet. My son, the one year old, just jumped on my bed and climbed all over me as we watched the movie. LOL

Mulan is a special movie, bc although it does perpetuate some stereotypes about Chinese culture, it is also very accurate in the depiction of life in China back when The Hans were trying to conquer the land.  Also.......I love the songs :)lol

Side note:
That's the one thing I miss most about older Disney movies,  the songs they used to put in the films... (((sigh)))


Anyhoo, such songs as "My Reflection" and "I'll Make A Man Outta You" have stuck with me into adulthood.  And its a whole lot batter than some of the other music our children are being exposed to. Mulan serves up laughter at the hands of Eddie Murphy as Mulan's guardian "Mu-shu".
The cast is full of Asian actors and actresses as the voices include:


       
Ming Na-Wen            George Takei            Pat Morita              James Hong
  as Fa Mulan             as Ancestor Fa        as The Emperor          as Chi-fu


This is great Disney Classic and I can't wait to introduce my children to more of them!
Next week it's The Hunchback Of Notre Dame!



Are there any movies you love to watch with your family??? Share with us by commenting below:)
  









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Picture Update!

This was my look last week in the hot, hot heat! LOL



(Image Belongs to HNNY)

 

 

Its kinda funky yet simple... Very easy to do:
1. Wet your hair and apply your favorite product(s)
2. Part your hair with a comb and pin your hair in place about an inch away from the part (depending on hair length)
ALL DONE!




 I found some pics on Google Images of celebrities rocking similar styles!

 

 

 

What do you think??? What are some of your fav styles for TWA???

(accept no credit for outside images and media)