GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Let me tell you, I met the most friendliest, most knowledgeable, most down to earth yet professional, personable business woman who owns HYE MAINTENANCE Fashions along with her husband. I was reluctant to sign up as her friend because I thought HYE was associated with getting high, but it stands for Hot Yet Elegant, which I think that describes me perfectly! LOL I also saw a shirt that said SPOILED B.I.T.C.H which disturbed me greatly, but she explained what it meant: Be In Total Control of your Happiness! She wants me to wear one, but I can't even say the word! LOL She gives all who wears one cards to hand out that explains this concept, thank God!

We met on Facebook, became FB friends & the rest is history! In the heart of the west side of Chicago, this hidden treasure is conveniently located near me! I was in a bind & needed an outfit to wear for a talent/fashion show for kids, ages 7 to 22! The Ambrosia Room located on the south side of Chicago was a nice venue for the kids, but its a bit dark inside. So I wanted something casually cute & bright! My stage name represents the brightest light so I wanted to shine! BLING!

She made an appointment for me on such short notice & to my amazement provided THE BEST PERSONAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE I'VE EVER HAD! This hidden treasure pleasantly surprised me! I felt like IT WAS ALL ABOUT ME, ROYALTY! Every one of my questions were answered, every uncertainty was reassured! THIS IS NOT A SWEAT SHOP! I found the cutest custom made screen shirts with positive messages & my cute little chiwawa puppy with a bling collar just like my beautiful black Amour! They make custom hats, leggings, jogging suits, custom made one of a kind jackets, BEAUTIFULLY HAND CRAFTED JEWELRY, amazing genuine leather earrings, BLING GALORE & so much more!

I absolutely could not decide, pick or choose & she was so patient & informative. We talked, we laughed, she had lots of assorted candy & told me I could eat all I wanted! It was genuine, not fake as if she just wanted me to spend money...no, she told me which items she always has in stock versus the items that are a bit hard to come by! That helped me create a wish list for later (I have some items on order)! Every item I selected was tagged, beautifully wrapped, placed in gift bags with pink tissue paper, every piece of jewelry was wrapped & placed in gift boxes & or colorful mesh bags. She even placed the little clear backs on all the earrings by hand! I received an itemized handwritten order form as well as a computerized printed receipt! She's very meticulous, which is a good thing! My favorite moment was when she told me there was a BOGO sale! I paid for items & got select items FREE! WHAT? I LOVE FREE! SHE EVEN LET ME CHOOSE TWO CANDY T'S FOR MY GIRLS! She allowed me to try on & do a mini photo shoot to capture my wonderful memory!

I had a divine connection with my new sister! Does it get any better than this? If I had to describe my shopping experience in one sentence, I'd have to say that "I was so comfortable with her & felt like I was out shopping with one of my besties!"

MY OUTFIT OF CHOICE WAS PERFECT for the talent/fashion show! So much so that I even went out afterward to a networking social/party & got so many inquiries about my shirt that reads IT'S THE GOD IN ME! 

KUDOS TO YOU HYE MAINTENANCE FASHIONS! I will definitely be back...with my sisters & bff's!



Have you told someone that you love & appreciate them? Always remember that THANK YOU makes room for more!

Small Dedications

 11-13-10 
(Dedicated to Darlene) Limp body laying prostrate before You, surrendering to Your will & Your way
Snoring, resting, peacefully sleeping, this is just what she needed at this time, on this day!

(Dedicated to Susan)
Awaken by raindrops one bubble popped in the calm blue pool
causing a ripple effect, circular in shape.
One person popped into my life, causing a ripple effect, we're sitting in a circle sharing & learning about our new community.
What's this noise, is it the heat? What's that amazing smell? Is it time to eat? LOL...Gonna go & see!

10-14-10
(Dedicated to Debbie)
...clutching my chest where I believe my heart to be,
Gazing at the screen through glassy tear filled eyes,
Reading over & over what you've written to me,
It has completely taken me by surprise.

Such a pleasant & humbling surprise!


Have you told someone that you love & appreciate them? Always remember that THANK YOU makes room for more!

LIVING WATER

11-13-10

The flowing of the stream has ceased,
it's quiet now, listen to Me.
What I hear the voice of the Lord saying
No talking, No moving, No praying!
No talking, no moving, no asking
Just meditate & listen
in me start basking.
Just meditate & listen, close your eyes
Your enemies are being scattered
Let God, in your life, ARISE!





Have you told someone that you love & appreciate them? Always remember that THANK YOU makes room for more!

Near The Pool...

11-13-10

Everlasting water, running deep
Still ~ blue ~ sweet!
How your love ever floods my soul
Calming, enlightening, allowing me to flow!
Able to embrace our intimacy
Able to freely be the me You created me to be!

Thank You!


Have you told someone that you love & appreciate them? Always remember that THANK YOU makes room for more!

Made Me Smile...

I had to let go, it wasn't easy though
I knew it was coming, but I was running
it's cliche but true, when one closes another opens for you
I closed the door & this time I'm sure!

Before a tear could fall, I received a call
Hearing Hi Son Shine made me smile, I hadn't heard it in a while
There was silence in the air...a brief mental stare
Already an opening door? I'm not sure!

Destinations rang in the background, publicly traveling around town
A breath of fresh air~The Arts our root, crisp leaves crunching underfoot
Positive affirmations~fantasies~dreams, sometimes things aren't always as they seem
Plethora of info~entrepreneurial spirit, so much to share & I'd love to hear it!

Moving~instability~uncertainty-BE STILL, Trust~stability~blessed assurance-GOD'S WILL
Faith is not trying to figure it out, Faith is believing without a shadow of a doubt
Friends not enemies~love not lust, truth not lies~communication a must
Sweet November where it all began, keep going forward~YES I CAN!

Many encounters brought me to this point, so many possibilities in this joint
Exploring all options~mind open wide, you can't help who your heart loves so why hide
Snow~leaves~sun~seasons change, my favorite is hopeful romantic warm rain
Spring into life with pep in your step, celebrate not tolerate love~fall in depth!

Nobody can beat me being me, I'm true to myself~facing my reality
Comfortable~plain~dressed down but clean, happy~humble~trying not to be mean
Love me or not~I'm purposely placed, genuinely growing from glory to glory in God's Grace
I can only be the me God created me to be, accept me as I am~HEALED, WHOLE & FREE!

















Have you told someone that you love & appreciate them? Always remember that THANK YOU makes room for more!

VALIDATION

My oldest son bought a cell w/his b-day money & he is with his dad this weekend. He text me, while I was driving from far away coming from a call back audition that lasted 10 minutes, if that! I was not feeling all that great about my performance & his text said "Hi just wanted to say I love you!" Little did he know I was feeling mighty low cuz I believe I cud have done better, I thanked him & told him that it was perfect timing & felt like a (BIG HUG)! He asked what was wrong & I told him, he said, "GOD DIDN"T BRING U THIS FAR 2 LEAVE U!" *tears* sniff, sniff THANK U GOD 4 COMPASSIONATE, THOUGHTFUL & LOVING CHILDREN! I LOVE U!

All the years of love, support, compassion & giving my children all of me is paying off in more ways than one! It’s like I'm reaping what I've sown! My oldest daughter kept me focused the night b4 auditions...she bid me God Speed & prayed 4 my attention span 2 last long & 4 me not 2 be sleepy or distracted! That morning she read along silently & listened to me do my final run thru & she said I had it word for word & she applauded! She literally clapped & smiled! Her face said she was impressed & proud! She asked, “you stayed up all night ma?” She was at the library performing while I was at my audition, we were texting each other encouragement!  I wanted to text her that I BOMBED, but I told her I was nervous, had to start over, but did it for the most part. But, my spirit got low & I felt defeated even though I did very well for learning the monologue in one day! I did not feel as confident as at home, because people who had gone to school for acting was also auditioning & the director herself was in there so the pressure was thick! My daughter text me after the audition, “Aw, I hope everything works out cuz U deserve it”! These kids got my eyes so full of tears! :) WHAT A BLESSING! THANK YOU LORD! She said, I forgot a line to my new piece I wrote, but I kept going & everyone was so supportive & encouraging saying she did great & her words were great & that there is no way they would have been able to keep going! She even got a card from one of the listeners who offered to help in any way or to be a mentor! We looked at each other & said “WE KEPT GOING”! GOD U ARE SO AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL! WE WENT SKATING WITH OUR BRAND NEW SKATES THAT I BOUGHT FOR LITTLE OR NOTHING THE DAY BEFORE! IT WAS A PERFECT DAY WITH HER! It was weird not driving her & being at the library to watch her perform an original piece, but she encouraged me to go to my call back & I felt torn, but it’s time to do some things for me now that they are older. My sacrifices of putting me on the back burner until they got older are paying off!

Well, I can't tell about 1 or 2 & not the others, lol! My youngest daughter has been cheering me on since I began pursuing my dream! She text me "YOU WERE CUT OUT FOR THIS MA, YOU'RE GOOD AT IT, ITS WHAT YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! JUST WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO U ALL THAT U GIVE TO ME, I LOVE YOU" I was bubbling over inside! WOW! **tears** She hugs me all the time & thanks me for believing in her & for loving her & for listening to her & for taking care of her…WOW, you never know how someone is watching everything you do & say & how you are affecting or impacting their lives! She plays basketball & I usually never miss a game, but since I have been pursuing my dreams, I have had to miss a few, I know she misses her #1 fan, but she supports me just like I support her! She says she understands & that its ok! TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

My baby boy is not a baby anymore! He doesn't have a phone to text, yet, but he always hugs me at the most perfect times! I don't know if he needs it or if he knows that I need it, either way, God knows & HIS timing is perfect! Zeke prays for me out loud, all the time, about everything (just like I do for them) & I see his eyes & his face...he is so sincere & he truly expects & believes that God can & God will do just what he is asking, (just like me), gotta have that pure motive, childlike faith! I cherish all of these moments! We all talk individually & together & it’s never a dull moment! We laugh, we cry, we vent, we bicker, we share, we play, we love & we do it all TOGETHER! I like my quiet times, but I LOVE TOGETHER! Thank You Lord 4 my family! I love them all & I LOVE me some YOU! You have used Your Word & my family to validate me & to wrap your loving arms around me during this time where my mind wants my emotions to cave in & give up, but You have taught me that DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION! I WAS CUT OUT FOR THIS LIFE & ALL THAT IT MAY BRING! THANK YOU FOR REJECTION AS WELL AS ACCEPTANCE! THANK YOU FOR CLOSING DOORS AS WELL AS FOR OPENING WINDOWS & DOORS OF OPPORTUNITIES & ENOUGH BLESSINGS I WON’T EVEN HAVE ROOM TO RECEIVE! THANK YOU FOR RESTORING MY DREAMS & VISIONS AS WELL AS FOR PROVISIONS! THANK YOU FOR BUILDING MY CONFIDENCE, I BOAST IN YOU ABOUT YOUR GREATNESS! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE DIVINE CONNECTIONS AS WELL AS FOR ALL MY HATERS…KEEP HATING, YOU’RE ONLY SETTING ME UP FOR MORE BLESSINGS!!! THANK YOU LORD FOR TWO GREAT CHURCHES WHERE I GET A DOUBLE DIPPING DOSE OF YOU! MY FEELINGS ARE TEMPORAL & SUBJECT TO CHANGE SO I CAN NOT GO OFF OF WHAT I FEEL! I HAVE TO OPERATE IN WHAT I KNOW TO BE THE FACTS & THE FACT REMAINS TO BE THAT YOU LOVE ME UNCONDITIONALLY & YOUR PLANS FOR ME ARE GOOD & NOT EVIL! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH LORD! ALL YOUR PROMISES ARE YES & AMEN! YOU’RE DA BOMBDIGITY!!! THANK YOU FOR BEING THE LIFTER OF MY HEAD! YOU HAVE MADE ME GLAD & TAUGHT ME HOW TO ENCOURAGE MYSELF IN YOU LORD! WOW! YOU NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE ME!!! I’M GOING TO WORSHIP YOU COLLECTIVELY WITH MY BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST NOW! THEN I AM GOING TO EAT SUNDAY DINNER WITH MY MOM, SIBLINGS, NIECES & NEPHEWS & MY CHILDREN AT HEADQUARTERS, LIKE WE USED TO DO AT BIGMA & PAW PAW’S HOUSE! THOSE WERE THE DAYS! IT’S ALREADY LOOKING BETTER LORD! THANK YOU THAT I ALREADY FEEL BETTER!!! I AM EXPECTING EVEN GREATER THINGS TODAY! I’M EXPECTING MIRACLES THAT ONLY YOU CAN PERFORM! SEE LORD, YOU MAKE ME SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CAUSE OF CHRIST!!! THANK YOU FOR BEING VERY MUCH ALIVE IN ME! I KNOW I COULD NEVER NOR WOULD I LIKE TO TRY TO MAKE IT WITHOUT YOU! YOU ARE MY ABSOLUTE EVERYTHING!!! THANK YOU!



Have you told someone that you love & appreciate them? Always remember that THANK YOU makes room for more!

GR8FUL 4 U!

Hello world, I am giving thanks for YOU this holiday season & everyday!
The good Lord has blessed me in so many ways!
I try to count them all, but the number is many...
I want for nothing, because God has given me plenty!

Be safe, be thankful & share the love & blessings God has bestowed upon you with others!


Wow! I wasn't even trying to rhyme! I guess I'm a poet, now I know it & I'm not afraid to show it!
LOL

Until next time...take care.


Have you told someone that you love & appreciate them? Always remember that THANK YOU makes room for more!

Testimony Praise Break!

OMG! I gotta tell it! God has been so good that I just can't tell it all, but I'm sure gonna try! LOL

I have been celebrating my birthday since the end of October & I believe I will continue all the way to my next birthday in November! LOL God gave me my dreams back! Now I'm living my dreams, only this time I'M AWAKE!!! It feels AMAZING! I feel as though I have awaken from a very long coma or something! It was that darn depression! POOF GONE! BYE-BYE!

Okay, so, I was supposed to get a ride to workout last night, but we got our wires crossed somehow! While waiting, I met a life coach at a retreat & talked with her on the phone & it felt like we were old friends & she confirmed so many things that I already knew within! God is connecting me with some pretty great people! I went to a local church instead, it was prophetic & intercession night...IT WAS AMAZING! I had never gone there on a weeknight before, but that was a divine appointment! God confirmed so many things for me through prayer with them! We prayed for each other! If I did not KNOW Him, I would say, "hey, who told y'all my business?" lol But, it had to be God because only HE knew those secret things about me! I love Him so much!

Okay, so, I'm thankful for our puppy, Amour, whose 1st birthday was the 17th of this month! She likes to go everywhere we go! She's like my baby & she's spoiled rotten! I'm thankful for our vehicle, its nice & shiny right now! (my 1st time getting a car wash) I'm thankful that my kids asked for a ride to school this morning! I love those moments! :)

Oh, I misplaced my bank card & last time I remembered having it was last Thursday, but I didn't know I misplaced it until yesterday, Wednesday, when I went to the cash station! It's the one with a credit card logo & that's like losing cash! I went to the bank this morning to get a new one & Praise God, nobody had found & used my card! They took my picture for my new card & its no longer a Master Card, its a Visa! They've gotten fancy with their technology I see! So Grateful for all of this!

I was right across the street from Burger King & the manager owed me 2 replacement meals w/drinks, FREE & I went to collect! I love when businesses right their wrongs! She was nice & I received more than I originally paid for to make up for my dissatisfaction & inconvenience of having to go back! You've redeemed yourselves BK! :) God is so faithful & I see His hand in this! I was looking for a someone to give the 2nd breakfast & orange juice to since my kids were in school already...I didn't see anyone! I was going to take it to my mom, but she was gone to workout! I placed it in the fridge & my kids will devour it like savages for after school snack! LOL But, wait, how will they heat it up? Just bought a pizza oven/microwave in January from Sear's & it went out a week or so ago! Bummer! The Sear's near me don't even do repairs! I had to take it quite a ways from where I live AND I have to go pick it up when its ready! What an inconvenience! But, I'm thankful for the extended warranty I bought for 3 years!We cook EVERYTHING in that thing LOL! When I told the kids we could use the stove to cook & heat our left overs, they said in unison, "the stove?" TOO FUNNY! They stood there looking at it like it was a foreign object! LOL Guess I should cook more often huh? LOL

Thankful for the divine connections & all of God's Favor & for ALL THE LAUGHS in between!!!

Until next time,
God Bless & be safe!





Have you told someone that you love & appreciate them? Always remember that THANK YOU makes room for more!

Whatever Flows...Goes!

Hey Fam & Friends! I hope all is well in your neck of the woods! We're just going to flow & see what topics we cover today! I've got my decaf brewing & my worship music playing! Disturbingly, some of my peeps think I have an identity crisis, because I love the mood swaying aromatics of coffee & I love WOW worship music & feel its okay to date outside of my race...ya know what I mean? They think my music is for a "certain nationality"! Can we talk openly? I happen to love The Lite radio station & elevator music & soft singing with the guitar playing & WOW Worship while lifting my hands to Thee & coffee shops & journaling near water & being bare foot & yes, I think its totally okay to date outside of your race, because LOVE HAS NO COLOR, WE'RE SISTERS & BROTHERS! GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT IS WHAT MAKES US ALL KINDRED! :)

I make no apologies or excuses about my being free to be me! Love is beautiful & if you have that along with trust & God being the head of it, who cares what nationality they are? I understand that people have preferences...we all do, I think! You may say you prefer a dark skinned person or a short & stocky person, etc. I mean, I'm no dummy, I realize there are cultural differences & the more differences a couple has, the stronger in Christ they need to be, because I imagine its not easy for...say...like, a black (African American) & a white (Caucasian) or an asian & an hispanic person who seem to be total opposites on the outer appearance, but inside they can be a perfect match for one another! I heard that opposites attract, but to what extent? I DO BELIEVE YOU SHOULD BE EQUALLY YOKED IN AS MANY AREAS AS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY YOUR FAITH! I'm not sure, but there may be catholics dating budists out there & Christians dating atheists somewhere! My preference is to be with a believer of the same faith so we can pray together on one accord! I'd also prefer that he be on the same level or higher so we can learn together & from one another! Bottom line is, if you believe that God predestined the two of you to be together then, have at it!!! If He gives us a vision, He'll surely also give us PROvision!!! You'll get through the stares of others & negative comments...don't be scared, your love will carry you through, so go on honey, take a chance! LOL Seriously though, be led by The Holy Spirit & don't be afraid because PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT ALL FEAR! God knows me better than I know myself & His plan for my life is good & I trust Him with it! :)

Hmmm, I didn't know that topic was going to flow out! lol, but I'm glad it did! Its different, I like it!


Have you told someone that you love & appreciate them? Always remember that THANK YOU makes room for more!

Hurt, Healed, WHOLE!

Hello Family & Friends! Welcome to the Cafe, I pray all is well with you!
Are you ready? Do you have your favorite choice of warm fuzzy? Lord knows I'm ready! I've got a soft blanket across my legs, a mug of hot lemon zinger herbal tea, my new lavender neck pillow & beautiful sunshine accompanied by blustery winds! Its been too long since my last post! I've missed sharing with you! I have no idea what will flow from me right now, so you're getting it right now as I get it from The Holy Spirit! Breathe in deeply through the nose & blow it out slowly through the mouth as many times as needed!
God is allowing me to let you INTO ME, SEE! Relax & journey with me as I share my INTIMACY with you!

What is Hurt, Healed, WHOLE? I'm glad you asked! Its ME moving from hurt, beyond healing, into WHOLENESS!

HURT is my name from a marriage that failed! But, its not only my last name, it was also the condition of my heart & state of mind for so very long...for so many different reasons! I believe it was there before I even got married! Hurting people hurt other people! Two halves in a relationship will never make a whole! I believe one has to be whole first, before you are blessed with ties that bind you together!

HEALED is what I decided I needed to be! I knew God to be a HEALER so I prayed & asked Him to forgive my disobedience & mend my brokeness! Please help me to forgive those who have hurt me! Help me to forgive myself! Heal my heart, Oh God, as onlyYOU can! I don't want to fill my heart with "in the mean time, in between time" relationships attempting to find a temporary fix! I am my own worst enemy, please rescue me from myself, Oh God, I humbly ask in the matchless name of Jesus! I know You hear me, I love You Lord...Thank You & I believe its already done, no matter what it looks & feels like...Amen!

WHOLE is WHAT I AM NOW! Wholeness came after many seeds of tears fell to the floor as I knelt at the feet of Jesus, my Savior & watered my faith in God! The manifestation of my wholeness sprouted over time... I saw it after I stopped running & SURRENDERED to the WILL of GOD for my life! I saw it when I continued to pray for those who hurt me! Don't get me wrong, I'm no saint, I had my moments & went through phases of pain, anger, abandonment, jealousy & even hatred! But, it was killing me so I had to let it go & give the gift of forgiveness! I HAD to do that for myself! My wholeness? I saw it when I sought wise Godly counsel so that I would not be bitter! I saw it after I said YES LORD, EVEN THOUGH IT HURTS & I DON'T UNDERSTAND, YES! God showed me that it was never about me, so I don't have to take it personal! Its for others whom He will use me to minister to, so they too can have a healthy heart...free from depression & lack! I brought things on myself through my disobedience, but God dealt with me & turned it around & worked it out for my good! Each & every time, I come out on top & I am STILL overcoming! WHOLE is WHO I AM NOW THROUGH GOD!!!

Thank You Lord! There is NONE like YOU! YOU ARE MY VERY BEST FRIEND! You were there, watching over me...waiting on me...covering me with your love of protection...I HONOR YOU! I OWE YOU ME!!! MY SOUL SAYS YES TO YOUR WILL LORD...YES TO YOUR WAY!!!



Have you told someone that you love & appreciate them? Always remember that THANK YOU makes room for more!