So, I have these notions to jump into projects around the house.  It's in my nature and I cannot stop the thoughts once they enter any portion of my brain.  On Friday, I decided it was time to get into the backyard and spruce it up a bit.  What started as a small project in my mind turned into a full-on outdoor fresh event.  If you have ever done any form of yard work then you realize outdoor fresh is nothing nice. 😷

Day 1:  Pulled weeds.  Cleared my area and started putting down my border.  My sister cut down weeds growing through my fence while my brother cleaned my gutters.  A true family affair.  As the sun continued to blaze down on me I felt even more determined to get it done.  My progress seemed to be light considering I had been outside for 8 hours straight.  At the end of day 1, I counted no less than 15 mosquito bites.  Oh, this is going to be so much fun said no one ever!

Day 2:  The weed pulling frenzy continues and my vision is crystal clear.  I know exactly what I want to do and just how I want it to look.  The only problem, I need to return to Home Depot and Lowes for more stuff.  As if digging in the dirt was not enough I'll just grill as well because who doesn't like to feel completely exhausted by the end of the day. 🙄​

Determined to tackle the glorious pile of sticks the previous owners left for me I had choice words for them that I am sure are illegal somewhere.  Mom says it must have been a fire pit.  In the pile, I found a single sock, a hot wheels car, and an old screen.  My idea of a beautiful and serene fire pit is a bit different, so please stay tuned.

The more I pulled and cleared, the better it started to look.  And then Sammie the Snake appears.  I run and scream for my whole entire life and retreat to the safety of my deck.  My blood-curdling scream should have cleared any rodent, critter, or insect within a 20-mile radius, so I returned to finish what I started.  While my family thought I was certifiably insane for wearing boots in close to 90-degree weather, my handy dandy outdoor, weed pulling, yard boots were right on time.  

Not letting a silly slinky snake stop my flow so back to it I go.  About 5 1/2 hours later.  Many breaks and stops in between I finished one side of my project, which by the way I absolutely love.  While there are mosquito bites covering most of my body, I can stand outside and admire my work while scratching the skin off of my limbs, but hey, it was all worth it.  

The best thing I found of the previous owners was a small piece of white chalk.  I wasn't quite sure if that's what it was at first.  Quick sniff test and it was confirmed.  Hey, don't judge me.  I already had it in my hand so the damage was potentially done.  It made me smile and brought back the kid in me.  Proof of that is in the first pic above.  Nothing but love and blessings as I enter into home ownership chronicles...day 71. 🏡

​~AJ

Here I go again.  My absolute favorite day of the week!  I literally bounce out of bed with an extra pep in my step.  I sing a few lyrics of a song I made up in my head and talk to my kitties while they stare at me the same as they do every single morning.  A bit of Groundhog Day vibes but I'm not really complaining because today is 'that' day!  The day that puts an end to the boring mundane repetitive tasks that haunt me Monday through Friday.  I work a 9-5 all week so it's the glorious beginning to the end of the same ole same, the thought of possibilities for the weekend, the planned get-togethers with friends or the idea of doing absolutely nothing.  

If I have ever told you I didn't plan my weekends, just know I was lying.  Kinda in the category of little white lies so please don't hold it against me.  My plans for this weekend ahead include a bit of yard work, firing up the grill, and family time.  I also have a room to paint, a library to get together, and a few boxes to unpack.  However, if I do too much I will find myself knocking on Sunday evening's door and mad at myself for not getting in enough woosah time.  

I've had this on and off again love affair with Friday since the last time I claimed it was the one and true love of my life.  We just go together so well, no talking back, and consistently giving me exactly what I need.  It's that type of energy I long for each and every day.  I've said that any day can feel this way, but I would be lying to myself and to all of you so I refuse to fill you with those tall tales.  I can't help but wonder why every day can't be Friday.  From now until the end of Neveruary I will always and forever be living for this day.   

The thought of sleeping in during the weekend sounds very appealing, however, I just can't seem to do it.   I feel as if I am missing out on something so up I rise at the crack of dawn when half of the world is fast asleep.  And what if the plans I made never happen and something better comes along?  Sounds like a good weekend ahead, simple as hot buttered toast with a side of crispy bacon accompanied by a cup of hot black coffee on a Sunday morning.  Which reminds me to add all of that to my grocery list.  But hey, feel free to check in with me on Monday and I'll let you know if any of what I planned actually happened.

The older I grow the more important it has become to make the time count.  Filling my days with things, people, and experiences that make my soul happy.  As the years continue to go by I will continue to be thankful for this day because it's quite simply my favorite of them all.

~AJ

The time is just past 6 a.m.  As I scroll through the internet with one eye open while the other adjusts, my current obsession is finding the perfectly scented hand soap for my master bathroom.  Why, because I'm a huge scent freak and googling weird things at odd hours is simply what I do.  My mind never stops, the wheels in my brain turn faster than a hamster chasing his long-lost love on a never ending wheel of doom.  

My days have been running together in no proper fashion for the past six months.  A full on collision of mayhem and boxes.  The two go together like popcorn and fried eggs.  And yet there is someone somewhere eating that very weird combination as I type this.  I've had quite the adventure with my new home and decided to summarize things in chronological order for my friends on Facebook.  Today I will share my story here, with all of you to raise an eyebrow at me, call me crazy, laugh with me, or at me.  At the end of my story, if for any reason you feel sorry for me, yes I will accept your generous donations.  😇
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We all know there are certain things best served in moderation, maybe small doses, and perhaps not at all.  However, we indulge anyway.  Determined to believe if no one sees you that it really doesn't count as a 'bad thing'.  Taking it a step further by convincing yourself that it won't hurt if it's just this one time.  The problem with that theory is, once is typically never enough, especially if it feels good while you are doing it.  

There are daily reminders all around us of the things we shouldn't say, do, or feel, so I dare not bore you with any more of that.  I am here to remind you of all the good things and just how wonderfully splendid and magical they are.  

This picture is a refrigerator magnet I have had for years.  I see it every single day and always smile at the words and how they make me feel.  I've spent the better part of my young adult years learning that it doesn't have to be the biggest and boldest to be the greatest and most memorable.   It's the journey and joy in all of it for me.  

This list is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.  I know because I have done them all.  So, whatever your 'good thing' is, do it till you satisfied.  
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​~AJ 💫

I am currently in the middle of a packing frenzy as I prepare to move across the states and get accustomed to new surroundings, new people, and new things.  As challenging as I know it will be, I truly enjoy the hustle and bustle of it all.  I have moved more times than I can count on both hands, and the reason has always been because I enjoy the feeling of re-inventing myself.  Designing new space and creating something magical is quite exciting.  The process of going through closets and drawers allows a moment of reminiscing, followed by sincere smiles.  A picture tucked away, an article of clothing that I wore to a memorable event, or maybe even special greeting cards I received over the years.  There are some things I find necessary to discard, and some that will forever have a place in my life wherever my next destination takes me.

Less is more...so they say.  Who 'they' is I may never know, however, I am sure you have heard the saying before.  Having never been successful at implementing the idea behind it, I incorporated a habit of going with the flow and taking it from there until I realized change is not something I need to be afraid of.

Imagine how cluttered your home would be if you held on to every single article of clothing, all the electronics you have ever purchased, or perhaps all the cars you have owned over the course of twenty years or more.  Living this way can at times cause a great deal of frustration, and insurmountable stress which will create an even larger obstacle to overcome.  Sometimes it warrants removing certain elements, things, and even people from your life to allow a new and enhanced way of living.
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This time last year I was removing the final remnants of my false lashes.  I tried to hang on to them for as long as I could, however, as they began to fall off cluster by cluster, I looked like I was winking when I was actually struggling to see.  Left feeling like a bald eagle, I wondered if I would look strange wearing my sunglasses everywhere because I felt absolutely hideous.  It was all the norm for my lash girl to call me every 4 weeks and ask if I needed to have my lashes touched up.  "Hey Lisa, do you want to come in today?"  That is like asking me if I want a free Gucci bag.  "Yep!"  

The first time I got falsies I blinked unnecessarily and vowed I would never do it again, until I woke up the next day, looked in the mirror, and felt as if I had just slid clean off the page of a magazine.  "Oh, it's like that?"  Ok, well I will just wear these puppies until they fall off and that's it!  Fast forward 10 years later and it had become an addiction.  Without them, I felt as if I had no power.  Adding and removing lashes only caused stress for my natural lashes which left them non-existent, and also gave me an excuse to proclaim I needed extra hair on my face.  Determined to quarantine and stay in, I had to deal with it.  I ordered false lashes online but it wasn't the same.  They looked as bad as my car does when I attempt to parallel park.  So, I gave up.  

From the fullness of my lips, and the slant of my nose, to the countless moles on my face,  I can't say that I grew up feeling the most attractive.  Watching television and seeing what was portrayed, girls didn't really look like me.  Not sure if that caused my shyness or if it was because of the teasing I endured in grade school.  Whatever the reason, hindsight has become a familiar friend.  As a woman, there are many accessories and 'extra' things I can adapt to and add whenever I choose.  Somewhere between my early to mid 40s I saw myself.  For who I was, without the extras.  Not how the world viewed me but how I viewed me.  I could finally say I was comfortable with the skin I'm in.  As important as adding cheese to a burger, this ranks in the top 10.  Every person has a moment of awakening, a time when what once matters simply does not, anymore.  

I took this picture about 2 weeks ago, so let's rejoice in the mighty growth and comeback of my natural lashes.  The moral of the story...

To discover what is beautiful, embrace my flaws, love me from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, I had to let go of what I thought perfection meant, what others think of me, and accept myself 100%.  So, if that means on Wednesday I want to wear fake lashes then so be it, or if it means on Thursday I'm scheduling my next tattoo appointment, so be it!   I'm me, and no one else can certainly do me better than I can.  

  ~AJ ​🌸

With weakened nerves, and hearts beating fast, the entire world watched and listened as the words were spoken.  Guilty!  Guilty!  Guilty!  

As I heard the words, tears began to fall.  For the life lost, and for the justice that was long overdue.  The African American community carries the burden for our fallen brothers and sisters.  We walk with fear not because we have done something bad, merely for the divine melanin within our skin.  When will it end?  When does the world decide to play fair?  When will mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, sons, and friends stop burying their loved ones whose lives were taken because of ignorance?  This victory feels monumental, however, the fight continues, and we push forward as there is much work to be done.

I made the decision not to watch the events of the trial unfold.  The persecution of a man already persecuted at the hands of his fellow man who took a vow to serve and protect.   It was a stark reminder I chose to avoid.  Why put myself into a place of anger, bitterness, and confusion all over again is the question I continued to ask myself.  The problem with this story, there was no protection, only hatred, and the tragic end of George Floyd's life.  In what world is a man tried in a court of law after his death?  This amazingly backwards world we all live in is where it all played out.  Makes you shake your head in disbelief.  If you don't see the problem then chances are you might be part of it.  Facts are never easy to swallow, but in this case it is what it is!

Thinking back on the events of that day I can't help but wonder about the what ifs.  What if he had stayed home that day?  What if he wasn't claustrophobic?  What if he had been silent the entire time?  What if God could reverse those 8 minutes and 46 seconds?  I only wonder these things because I wish he was still alive to be a father to his children, to mentor the youth, and to simply live his life.  Why should anyone have to conform to a law that does not work in their favor?  

To say his name is to remember the fight that continues, the work that is to be done, the legacy he leaves behind, the numerous black lives lost before and after him, and the movement that has been sparked because of his death.  It is ok to be saddened, but let us all remember that joy will always come in the morning.  George Floyd, we will ride for you, never forget you, and we will surely not allow your life to have been in vain.  Rest easy brother.

~AJ 👊🏾  
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There are two sides.  

Side A: You believe that a new year means a brand new you, along with the opportunity to re-invent yourself, possibly make a few necessary changes that you weren't able to in the previous year.  It's a fresh start, your goals are prepped and ready for full implementation.  You love everyone and your new profile pic is an image of a cute furry animal!  

Side B:  You are the same exact person you were before the clock struck midnight and there is absolutely nothing you want to change about yourself.  Simply put, it's just another day and you are ready for the weekend so you can be left alone.  Your profile pic is the same as it was last year, because once again, nothing has changed!
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The new year is upon is, goals have been set and are perfectly in order however there is still so much disruption and unbalance that we continue to be thrown off.  Adjustments are necessary in order to set our lives back into a forward and positive motion.  It's as if we were hired as extras in a movie we didn't ask to be in.  How do we escape what seems to be a scene straight out of The Matrix?  Watching the world unfold is heartbreaking, terrifying and absolutely discouraging.  

I grew up in Gary, Indiana at one time known to be the murder capital of the nation.  If you calculate the number of residents against the number of killings the statistics might frighten you.  It was and still is the place I call home.  Hearing the news of another killing was just another day in the life of a girl from the hood.  Moving away from my hometown in my early 20s I truly had no idea of the differences between two sides, the race wars that were brewing and the fight for justice and humanity that will forever be an ongoing battle.  I was young, I had not a care in the world.  I grew up, I started listening and my views changed which is the natural progression of most.  So we hope!

The events of the past year were heavy which made it understandable that the world was ready for a fresh start, a new beginning and hope for a better outcome.  Re-building as a nation is long overdue and it starts with the men and women who were deemed worthy enough to lead this great place of The United States of America.  The stakes are high, the people are watching, the people are nervous and in high anticipation of a day when we can exhale and get ready for a much-needed woosah!  

We all know what's going on in the world, there is no need to call out names and put folks on blast, they did a pretty amazing job of doing that all on their own.  With all things there is a little rain even on a bright and sunny day.  I'm highly optimistic however I would be telling a tale if I wasn't wondering where the silver lining was in all of this.  The dawn of a new day brings about hope for change.  Hope that the great people in this world can come together and join forces instead of continuing to widen the gap with confusion and anger.  I choose to smile through it because frowning causes lines I am not ready for.  And I pray because I believe in the power it brings.   

Be good to one another, learn from the mistakes of yesterday and let's pick up the pieces and push forward.  ☀️

~AJ