Tuesday, December 14, 2010

I gotta stop doing this

Ok, I am looking at my blog after two months of pure neglect. I have to do better. Alright, I am going to try to post at least once a week. *crossing fingers*

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Car trouble for Ms. Carr

So on Thursday, September 30, 2010 will be a day in my life I won't forget. My car broke down on me on the highway while I was on my way to work. I mean I was driving in moderate traffic, in the rain on 395. The music was up and I was singing to the top of my lungs. All of a sudden, my car just starts to stall and clunks out on me. Luckily, there was enough speed to allow my car to coast to get to the emergency shoulder area. Oh I forgot to mention that it was raining buckets and buckets of water courtesy of Tropical Storm Nicole. AAA came and towed me and the car to the dealership so we could figure out this problem.

After waiting for almost 2 hours at the dealership, they came back and told me that my fuel line went bad and as a result the fuel pump clunked out on me. *sigh* The estimated cost of the repairs would be at least $800 and it would take a couple of days before the car would be ready because they would have to order the part. Right then, I had a serious situation on my hand. Should I repair my car with the chances that something else will break down or should I break down and buy a new car.

Well I have prayed on it, about it, laid hands on the financing papers, thought about how am I financially going to make it. I am hoping that within the next 24 hours, my answer will be made. I can't afford any additional storage fees.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Thankful!

So yesterday morning as I was cooking breakfast before work, I took time to thank God. Thank him for all that he has done for me, the people in my life, and things yet to come. I have to be nothing but thankful because I have been through enough that many don't know.

Living literally paycheck to paycheck, with only 5 dollars in my account until next week, yet I don't complain. Somehow God works is out that I am still on the train to work, have food to eat and pay all of my bills.

My mom was here this past weekend for her birthday and she made sure that I had food in the house, even though she is tight with her money. Thank God for a giving mother.

Majority of the time, I take public transportation to work and mainly drive my car in the evenings and the weekend. My gas is low but digging through my purse, I found a 10 dollar gas card (yeah it's not much but something) that I got at National Convention. Thank God for giving me what I need for use later.

For the past 2 years, I have been working with a company to reduce my debt for some bills I consumed over the years. I had one creditor left and the company was still in negotiations with them to settle on an firm amount to pay. Even I was suppose to have a notarized letter sent in giving the company I am working with Limited Power of Attorney to work on my behalf. I checked my account yesterday and the account was paid in full with the funds I had in their escrow account. Do you get it...PAID IN FULL!!! I am done with the program and can start my financial life over again. That's $400 a month back in my account. Thank God for extra so I won't be struggling!

I can go on and on about God's grace for me, even for the simplest things. I thank him for not letting me hit rock bottom, getting evicted, able to pay my bills on time. A thousand thank yous would not be enough for all he has, is and will do for me.

Thank God every day, not just in your grace at meal time.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Courage...

Today was my first day of working out. I am a bit sore but it felt so good to complete a 30 minute walk (with one rest break) and break a sweat.

Before my workout, I went to 8:00am service and it was communion Sunday. As I took the break and drank the "wine" I had an epiphany...that I need to have the courage to pray and take control of the things in my life. Courage to stand up. Courage to say no and mean it. Courage to not let my relationships bring me down, but build me up. Courage to not let my desire for someone be greater than my desire for God. I know that it is a long road for me and it's going to take me to get on my knees and pray that God will embody all of that in me and so much more.

So as I begin my workout/exercise routine, I have to remember to have courage to break out of my mold and to rise above it all!

Have courage and love yourself, but most importantly, LOVE GOD!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

ARGH!!!!!

I just have to share my disgust today for the little virus that has invaded my body and made me sick. My throat is scratchy and my tonsils feel ashy. I sound like a dude, or as my co-worker put it, "you sound like Tone Loc!" So far I have a mixture of things in my immediate view. Cheratussin for cough, Amoxicillian for any infections, cough drops and a shot of tequila every once and a while :)!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Oh I forgot

So what I failed to mention is that I've sort of started talking to a guy I met about 2 months ago. It's "sort of" because we have started on the wrong foot when we began talking. He's a great person but I know that there are some things that he's not telling me or cares to share. Maybe it's too early but then again, it's never too early to say the important things that are in your life. Anyways, we will see how this goes and I already see we might just be enjoying each other's company and that's it.

Ok, now I'm going to bed for real.
Hey ya'll (in my southern Paula Deen drawl),

I missed writing on my blog and hopefully I will devote some more time to it. Here's what has been going on with me since the last time I was here.

1. I went on vacation with my family to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. It was so nice to get away from DC for a week and relax. I will say that I wasn't too impressed with Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Not to say that it's not a great place but touring the island, you see all of the poverty and people working hard to care for their family. It made it to the point where there are serious hustlers just trying to make a living. Maybe I will visit another area of Jamaica.

2. I was in New Orleans with my job for 11 days. ELEVEN DAYS!!!! And I didn't even enjoy it. It's hard working and being a tourist when you don't have the time to even get to see the sights. The trip really worked me to the bone and has me doing a lot of thinking. I can't say what the future has for me but I know that I can't become complacent. Eventually it will be time to move on to something different.

3. As soon as I got back from NOLA, I went to "home" for my family reunion. It was great to see so many family members and meet new ones. But I will tell you, who ever planned it sure has a small town mind. I am not saying it has to be an extravagant affair but so much more could have been done. That is why I asked to be on the committee for the next reunion. We can do so much, not just for the family reunion but those of us who live in various areas around the country.

4. And lastly I'm sick!! :( I was out of work today with a sore throat, swollen tonsils (they felt like they were going to jump out), a terrible cough and congestion. I've been taking nasty cheritussin and amoxicillin (just in case it might be strep). And I snuck in a little tequila and some of the swelling went down. I might go back tomorrow but I am going to make a sick call to the doctor.

Anyways that's enough of my boring life so far. Going forward, I am going to try to think of positive topics for my blog cause it doesn't have to be negative. I am a positive person so we should keep it like that.

Until next time....

Sunday, June 13, 2010

VACATION in 5...4...3...2....

I can't WAIT!!!!!!!! Friday night, I will be in Miami, a day ahead of my cruise on Saturday. I am so excited because I need a break from the rat race of Washington, DC.

The only downfall of it all, I dislike packing for anything. I don't want to over pack but I feel like if I don't pack it, I might need it. Such a dilemma. Hopefully there is a Wal-Mart or CVS near the hotel.

Okay Bye!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Appreciation

I strongly believe that people are placed in your life by God to 1) realize love 2) realize true friendship 3) realize growth within yourself and 4) realize the negativity that you don't need in your life. All in all, whatever category that person falls under, we gain a teachable moment to apply in our daily walk. That all came to fruition when I received a card from a dear Soror who took me under her wing when I came back home and when I moved away, all I can do is return the favor.

Every time that I have a life change or I just answer a question for her, she sends me, through the mail, the nicest card with the sweetest words. It makes me happy and cry because someone thinks enough of me to send me something truly from her heart. And I try to figure out what to get her, but for her, the only thing she will accept is a thank you.

I appreciate her and love her like she was an older cousin that always looked out for us.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Appreciating the Little Things

In this life, we all want some piece of the American Dream. What wasn't told to us was that you have to work extremely hard and take small steps to even achieve a slice of that goal. And boy this has been a climb that has tuckered me out.

The one thing that I can say in achieving all of this is that thank God for my parents teaching me to appreciate the little things so that I won't go so gung ho on the big stuff. Okay if I get a new car or a new TV, I will be overjoyed, no doubt about that. But it doesn't have to be the top of the line or the priciest of them all. As long as it does the function that it's suppose to do, I am happy.

That even includes my paycheck. I know that with the money I earn on the 15th and the end of the month, I can take care of my household, my food, my transportation and whatever is left over, a little fun.

Okay so enough with my rambling, but let me say this, in times where money is funny, change is strange and jobs are hard, just remember that the littlest things should be appreciated because without it, you wouldn't know what you really have.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Baking might become a passion

So my family is visiting this weekend and at the request of my grandmother, she wanted me to bake a pound cake. So at 10:00 pm, I commence to baking one from scratch. No box, just straight up sugar, sifted flour, eggs and other special ingredients.

The more that I do it, the more I am beginning to enjoy it. I didn't like to cook and really didn't have to cook when I was younger and living at home. But since I am on my own, I have found my real passion and hope to hone my skills.

What does that mean? That means that I know that my family will be taken care of, because with the basic ingredients of flour, sugar and eggs with a little extra, I can make sure all is fed. All closer to becoming a Proverbs 31 woman. I have a long way to go, but know that I am striving hard to make it happen.

Much love!!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

A friendly reminder

Just want to say to my blogging friends as a "note to self." Please if you touch an onion, make sure that you don't use the same hand to rub your eyes. Just not a pretty look. LOL!!!

Monday, May 17, 2010

A long time again?

Well I am back after my 4+ month hiatus. So much has changed, some not, but all for the better.

First of all, I had another celebration of life in the early part of May. I turned 32 and even though it was kind of low key, I enjoyed my day.

Secondly I moved to another apartment, still in Alexandria, but away from the 2 years in El Salvador. It's bigger, the rent is higher and it's piece of mind. Plus my ex can't find me...HALLELUJAH!

Third, I am growing stronger with my church family. Alfred Street Baptist is the best. I've met so many great people and gotten involved with the Singles Ministy.

Fourth, I have fallen for someone and I don't even think he notices me. I am trying to play cool but when I am around him, my heart jumps. Hopefully he will notice me and maybe give me a try.

Anyways I am going to sleep but I will be updating more often and share more insight into my life.

SMOOCHES!!!