The Random

I didn't have any deodorant to put on today.  I will rectify that right after work.

I want a career change.  I've prayed on it and will update my resume this week.

I painted on canvas for the first time in months this past weekend.  I missed it so.

I love my iPhone and want to upgrade to the 3Gs.  I will not get #4. Too many problems.

My son broke my camera this summer.  I am sad about it.

But I will get the new Nikon CoolPix 4000 something.  Yes I will!

I am still decorating my house but I am in no rush.

I ordered Hip Hop Abs because I wanna have fun in the AM with Shaun T.

Yes, I really ordered it.  I can't wait to start.

I wanna quit my job and recharge for a few months but I can't.

I need to go back to school but really can't afford it.

This may sound bad to some, but I finally blasted into my oldest daughter and it felt good to finally let it out.

I have prayed and will continue to do so and speak to God about the next steps in that situation.

God is awesome and I am so glad He loves me!

I miss you all!  That is who all is still checking my blog to see if I post before they delete me altogether!

Peace!
Charisse

Because HE Makes It All Good In HIS Time....

To The Father, I give all the Glory!  He is indeed, a way-maker and a miracle worker.

All three of my kids graduate this month (high school, junior high and elementary)

My oldest invited me to her graduation in Delaware on June 6th.

I called my sister and wept right into the phone from happiness.

I thanked the Father for his blessings.

I drove straight there after we moved from the old apartment to the new one.

My oldest let me hug her and give her a big kiss (my heart was over the moon!)

This morning, she sent me a friend request on Facebook and we are now "friends".

Today is my son's 15th birthday.

He is so handsome and smart.

He was offered a summer job with my company.

He graduates on June 23rd.

My youngest is growing up great too.

She is so pretty and smart.

She is graduating on June 24th.

I wish she could get a job too but 10-1/2 year olds only get to go to camp!  LOL

My Love is awesome to me and my children and I am happy.

The dog is doing well too :)

That's the glory in my days so far this month. 

Talk to you later,
Charisse

The Return of Real Women and Singing

This weekend I fell in love with Toni Braxton all over again!  I am relieved that she has gotten over the "trying to compete with the young girls" phase she was going through and found her niche!  To me, this video and this song screams "Yeah, we been together a long time, but I can still put it on you better than them young girls 'cause I am a grown woman who knows you inside and out!!!  Now go home to your wife and love her with all you got!" Thanks Toni.

That's it for now. Enjoy!

Goodbye Projects

Guess what? I am moving!  Moving! After 12 years in NYC public housing a/k/a Da Projects, I am finally moving out.  Now it's not into anything fancy or even into my own house, but I feel like I am stepping back into the real world.  Now there are a few things I will miss, like cheap rent and not paying for gas & electric, but I need to make this change.  My youngest has always lived here and my son doesnt remember living anyplace since we moved here when he was 3.  It is time for them to know different things and experience new things. 

The area isnt far from where I am now but it is busier.  There are more people because it is near a major shopping area/transportation hub.  I like that the kids will learn how to travel for real now since they will have to take 2 buses to get to their schools, since neither of them wants to transfer away from their friends.  It is time for them to grow up and for Mommy to loosen the apron strings j u s t  a  little bit!

The move-in date should be June 1st, officially, but we signed the lease for May15th.  You know I have to get in there and do my cleaning and some painting, and light my candles and say my prayers for blessings in the new space.  That is a MUST!!!  I need to go to the botanica and get a candle and some Florida water.  Who knows about that, huh?

Anyway, so I just wanted to let you all know what is going on.  Well whomever still reads my blog!  LOL

Have a blessed day!
Charisse

My heart is breaking again but it's truly a God thing this time!

I don't really want to talk about it.  I just needed to say that. 

Peace and blessings,
Charisse

Pole Party Fun

I had a really good time at the pole party.  The instructor came in and installed the pole right in the middle of the living room.  I have to verify that it was indeed very sturdy!  A couple of the girls were talking about getting poles themselves, for their bedrooms.  Um, not me though!  It is not that serious for me!  LOL  Here are some of the pictures!

Pole Installation in progress.

This one here is a hot mess.  I just met her that night. LOL

This is my girl, Romanetha.

It was a good time, and kind of awkward too because it was Romanetha's niece who was throwing it and I have known her all her life.  She's 24 now with a kid of her own.  My, how time flies! 

So there you have it.  I am signing off now.  I am taking the kids to the American Museum of National History to get the heck out of the house on this rainy, windy Saturday.  Have a good one!

xoxo

Charisse

Time for Some Art Love

I want to share some of my art with you so here is a link to my YouTube video highlighting my most recent art journal.  I hope you enjoy it.

Browsing My Art Journal

Talk to you all soon!
xoxo
Charisse

I took a break...

and forgot to let you guys know.  Sorry.  Things have been good lately.  I got a car!  Yay!  Her name is Hazel and she is a 1994 Toyota Camry.  She is ol' skool and funky like me, and I am beside myself with joy!  It is taking a little getting used to since I have been riding EVERYWHERE with Love for the past 6 months.  He was super excited about not having to drive me and pick me up now, and not going to miss me and all of the BS!  Yeah right!  Since I have been driving, he calls me at work j u s t before I am getting off and keeps me on the phone as long as possible, so he can track my ass!  I am hip to it!  I ain't no fool!  No, no, my man, you will not pin me down!  LOL  I think it's cute though, and funny as hell!  Men are so stupid sometimes!

And then they can be so very sweet and awesome and great!  This is what I came home to one day last week.  No, it was before Valentine's Day and just sitting on the bed, waiting for me to come home!  Love bought her to replace the simple white piggy bank I have on my nightstand.  She does look better there than the other one, but I can't let go of the other one, so I have both there!  Silly of me, yes I know!

So, you know I live in the northeast and we got hit big time with the snow.  There were two storms and the Bronx was missed with the first one, but the second one definitely made up for it!  This is what came down the other day and I have to say, I love it.  I live in the 'hood and there are good and bad points to it, especially in the projects.  But when everything is covered and the trees are all puffy and light looking, I imagine this is Main Street USA with the super friendly and helpful neighbors and all that stuff you see on TV.  It definitely warms my heart and makes me think of innocence and being a child again!

On March 6th, I am going to a pole party.  What is a pole party, you say?  Well, I had to ask the same thing and when I was told it is where you learn how to entertain your man and work the pole, ala strip club, I was like, "I wanna go!"  Add to that food and drinks, and I am ready!  I'll let you know how that goes, for sure!

That's all for now.  Hope you all are doing well and putting a little bit of spice in your own lives!

Love ya, Charisse!

Goings on around here....

Hey everyone!  How are y'all doing?  Me, I don't good, could complain about some things, but all in all, I am blessed and happy to have another day to call my own.

I got back most of the stuff the oldest took from me.  Her school sent it back.  My little one was happy to get her camera back.  She asked if her oldest sister "didn't really take it?", but I did not lie to her.  I told her the truth, "she sent it back".  Straight to the point and no more sugarcoating.  I don't want to dwell on this situation any longer so let's more on, shall we?

My goals list is being worked on for sure.  I have made a workout plan for myself and I am following it.  There is room for error and unexpected changes, but all in all, I am following it.  I have 5 TaeBo videos that I have to get through.  I have to do each of them 3 times a week for four weeks.  I just finished week one of the first one.  The results are going to take time and I am giving myself time to get the results.  It's as simple as that!

I havent gotten back to the Ailey Center yet but I will.  Trust me, I will. 

I am going to scrapbooking crop this Friday night.  I am looking forward to it.

I am still working on my book of the month, Paradise by Toni Morrison.  It is kind of dragging but I am determined to finish it.

That's it for now. 

Talk to you all soon!
xoxo
Charisse

Liars, Thieves and a Child's Heartbreak

Let's get right to it, shall we?


My oldest daughter saw my youngest daughter at the ex's house over the holiday weekend and tricked her into giving up her housekeys on the promise of new clothes.  The ex found out and instead of taking the keys away, he made the oldest promise not to do anything "crazy." 


Um, who was it that said if you have to tell someone don't do something, you know they WILL do it?


Anywho.  So, the oldest comes to my house with her girlfriend and proceeds to STEAL clothes, shoes, boots, money, a camera and most of my handbags.  She leaves the keys under the youngest's pillow as promised and proceeded to walk out of the building, carrying 2 large bags of stolen goods, and right past Love with a snide remark, who doesnt realize what has happened until we both get home later that night and put 2+2 together!


How do you deal with a 10 year old little girl who loves the ground her big sister walks on and now has her heart shattered by lies?  How do you deal with a 17 year old woman who thinks nothing of manipulating and lying to get something that she could have just asked for?  If she had been a 27 year old crack addict, then you know how to wrap your brain around it.  When it's a 17 year old who wants to do as she pleases but wants to hurt her mother for some unknown reason, I am stumped.


I filled out a police report.  I called and cursed the ex and told him I would have him charged with accessory to burglary.  I spoke her school's principal, guidance counselor and school police officer.  Most importantly though, I spoke to God and I need to speak to Him some more because, although I am getting tired of thinking about it, I still need His guidance to make the right decision on what to do next!


Needing some prayers, please
xoxo Charisse

My Word for The Year

Pursue

Verb

1. Carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in; "She pursued many activities"; "They engaged in a discussion".

2. Follow in or as if in pursuit; "The police car pursued the suspected attacker"; "Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life".

3. Go in search of or hunt for; "pursue a hobby".

4. Carry further or advance; "Can you act on this matter soon?".

I am definitely happy in knowing that this word is the closest I could find to explain what I want to do with the rest of my life.  I tried 'engage' and 'involve' but they didnt feel right.  PURSUE is right!

Here's to Twenty Ten!!
xoxo
Charisse