A Simply Unique Merry Christmas

Featured Photo by Susanne Jutzeler from Pexels

Why hello there, how have you been my friend!

Me? Well, I’m here, blessed, and while the things of this year have been unpredictable, to say the least. It’s been good. I still have a roof over my head, food on the table (maybe not everything I’d wish), but it’s ALL good and more than what others have or will ever have. I have transportation to get around, although the other was wrecked! Yikes?, but thank God for insurance!

It’s been a year, but now that Christmas is here, it’s quite unique, would you say? Who would have thought that we’d be spending time over the holidays with family via Zoom, Duo, or FB Messenger? It’s a little weird, but if it’s one thing I’ve learned about society? YOU CAN’T KEEP THEM DOWN!

I won’t mention the word because well let’s face it, you’ve heard it enough. When things took a turn for the worse, it stumped people. It was a Green Giant (this is what I’ll refer to it as) bump in the road that people were trying to figure out how to get over. It was meant to keep most of us down, make us fearful and throw anything negative into our minds. And for a moment, it succeeded.

BUT

There’s always a but, once people learned how to navigate around the Green Giant? Everything imaginable was capable, and society figured out a way to do work, business, family, and even grocery shop (for those of us that always frequented the stores…me) in a different way, and guess what, it’s not so bad. Some people have done better since the mighty GG stepped on the scene, and life as we know it, changed!

Need a last minute “virtual” Christmas gift to send? >>> Check out this post for good virtual ideas!

I’ve learned this year alone to cherish the sun just a little bit more. To smell the grass a little more often and appreciate my health considerably, we take for granted the smallest things. This year has proven that we can’t take anything for granted, not even the smallest things.

I know this is a simply unique Christmas for you, as it is for me and millions of other people in the world and the nation. I don’t have a clue as to what 2021 will bring or hold but I’m praying it brings just a little more happiness and even if it’s chaotic and the Green Giant decides to stick it out just a little bit longer? As a society, a nation, culture, and creed – we will be ready to plan our work, execute that plan and build no matter what or who’s in the way.

What I will say is to NOT allow what’s going on in the world to keep you stagnated from starting that business, writing that book, going back to school, getting healthy, or taking this time to get to know you and the people around you. Use this time wisely and ask God for fresh eyes to see your situation from a new perspective. My motto is and always has been “There’s a positive in every negative situation, you may have to dig deep to find it, but if you look closely. You’ll see it.”

I don’t know where you are in your journey today, and I know you may have lost quite a bit this year, we all have, but my prayer for you is that you will push past that pain and allow God to catapult you into your purpose. I’m praying you have a simply unique Christmas, enjoy your family in whatever way you can, and cherish the smallest of things through fresh eyes.

Merry Christmas!

I can’t say I will be blogging much but I am now on YTube (Inspirations with Roshonda). drop by, sit a spell and subscribe and hit that notification bell if you’d like (no pressure…wink). Feel free to check out the about section to learn more about the channel.

Inspirations with Roshonda – Mind, Body, SOUL CARE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK2X8yjHPX9pyCOmxruTFww

Advertisement

December’s Going Already?? & Safety Is The KEYYYYYYYWORD…

Hey, Peeps – What’s Up!

OMGosh!OMGosh!OMGosh!

Can you believe it’s December already?, can you believe next Wednesday is CHRISTMAS??!!! Okay, so I really don’t like how 2019 came in here as quick as the wind and about to leave us like THE FLASH!!

Image Credit: The Flash/CW

Like THIS. YEAR. DIDN’T. COME. TO. PLAY!!! (yes, that’s me doing a clap back) and even in these last few days/week, we have left it’s apparently not showing any signs of taking a pause. (Sigh, I digress) I will say however, I need it to SLOWWWW all the way down, the faster the years come the OLDER I’m getting…….sigh again…..Can someone please give 2020 a call and ask that it slow its roll? I feel like I can’t really ENJOY an age because before I know it, I’m about to turn another one! In the words of my favorite cartoon character…

Image Credit: Bing/Charlie Brown

So, do you have any plans for the “rushed” holiday season? I’m sorry, I know I seem a little salty about this whole year rush thing, but it is what it is and we might as well enjoy it, right? It could be so much worse, gotta be grateful no matter what (that’s me talking positively to rinse the salt out my mouth =)

While my emotions take a chill on ice, I have to say, I LOVE CHRISTMAS! now if the year wants to give us a blessing? It can make it be Christmas all year round, with good weather that is. It’s just something about this time of year that makes me feel giddy. Everyone’s so nice and caring, it brings me to a song by one of my favorite gospel artists. Grammy, Stellar and Dove award winner, Fred Hammond. He’s one of my favorite gospel artists, however, he has a Christmas CD entitled “Christmas, Just Remember” it was released in 2001 so it’s a little old but it’s definitely a goodie. My favorite song on the album is ‘Christmas Everyday’ – here’s a snippet of some of the lyrics…

‘I wish that Christmas would be every day
Let it go on and on, and on, and on, and on
Why does this feeling have to go away?
If it were up to me, the season would never change
It would always stay the same, the same, the same

Why can’t we show each other the same love?
The same, the same good love, real love
To me, once a year is really not enough’

The lyrics are so powerful and so very me of how I feel about the holiday season, it’s one of my all-time favorite songs (outside of Nat King Cole‘s “The Christmas Song“) however, I’m sure after you listen to Fred’s mellow, laid-back tune of Christmas gracing us every day, it’ll become one of your Christmas playlist songs as well. So while you’re cooking, reminiscing and spending time with family during the holidays, let this song draw you all closer together in love, unity, and peace.

🎵🎶🎵🎶 Christmas Everyday by Fred Hammond 🎵🎶🎵🎶

Fred Hammond – Christmas Everyday

Well, while Christmas can bring on the “good feels” – it can also bring on “fear” for some reason people choose this time of year to bring the negativity to an all-time high! It’s already bad that this time of year seems to bring on more death-related incidents than any other month in the year and if that’s not scary enough, there are countless videos of people getting scammed and kidnapped. I think I’ve received more DM’s from friends as well as family members passing on information about sex and human trafficking schemes. They detail things to watch out for and unfortunately people (women and children mainly) who’ve found themselves in the snares of such chaos.

Sometimes I feel like going home, locking all my doors and staying there until I turn 100! However, the bible tells us “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.” (2 Tim 1:7) While going into hibernation for the rest of my life sounds pretty tempting, I have to understand that I serve a God who’s in control and while I may not understand a lot of things, my faith’s in God and I know he didn’t call any of us to go into hiding but live the lives he created us to live. This includes praying and asking for guidance as well as discernment. The key to asking for this is that we actually have to listen when he tugs at us to not go a certain place or do a certain thing, which takes a lot of practice.

There are so many things going on and I couldn’t put up “every” video I received but I saw this one by Karolyne Roberts a couple of weeks ago, in which I thought hit the hammer on the nail in regards to all the scams out there. When I saw the video, I knew I’d be a great vid to share in my end of the year post (which is this one! 😁)

Karoline Roberts – YouTube

Karolyne shares pretty much all the stories I’ve heard and gives a warning as well as a word of encouragement to everyone who plans to go out shopping and etc this holiday season. I mean we need to be watchful no matter what, that’s a guarantee! The latest one I just heard last week was about a man at a gas station who asked a woman pumping gas if she was in need of painting services, she said no so he offered her supposedly his business card.

When the woman got into her car and drove off, she noticed that this man had gotten into a car with another man and followed her, by this time she became alarmed. She noticed she began to feel woozy and delirious, she had enough strength to roll down the window, in the meantime, these men were on her trail. Come to find out, the card she took had some type of gas on it. She quickly pulled into the nearest house’s driveway and began honking her horn and screaming. The men that were following seen this and drove off…

So please, please, please be careful – watch yourself as well as your kids, mom, close girlfriends and etc because it’s the women that are being targeted in these attacks!

Let’s Look our for each other and the very special GIRLS/GALS in our lives!

Well, that’s it, Everybody! That’s all I have for now. Until next year, Lord willing. I pray your 2020 is FULL of great vision. May 2020 bring extremely sweet things to you and yours!

Don’t You Do It, Don’t You Dare Overlook Thanksgiving!

Featured picture courtesy of Bing

How Dare the World!!! How Dare You???…. If it’s you, I mean, maybe it’s not 😊. So this post may seem like a little rant but…someone’s got to say it.

WHY DO WE FORGET ALLLLLL ABOUT THANKSGIVING!

I mean, you feel me, right? It’s always been like that. I went into the store the other week here and all I could see was Christmas items, and it was the end of October! I mean, don’t people like Thanksgiving? and what does Thanksgiving ACTUALLY have to say about this? probably nothing….lol…you know how you can get overlooked for soooo long until it doesn’t even faze you anymore. I’m sure that’s truly how Thanksgiving is feeling right now. And don’t get me wrong, I almost gave Thanksgiving the good ole boot myself.

I told a friend of mine as soon as Thanksgiving came in that I was going to BLAST my Christmas tunes, I just LOVEEEEEE Christmas songs and while the air has been very crisp with that fall/wintery smell, YESS…it’s beginning to feel a lot like……THANKSGIVING!!

I Think You’ll Like This Post Too – Poem: I Am Thankful

Ha!! I bet you thought I was going to say Christmas didn’t you, hahaha…gotcha! 😊

But on a serious note, Have you thought like me? Was your heart pounding like mine for that Nat King Cole tune of The Christmas song? Well, mine was BUT before we can skip to the Lou my darling into Christmas, I feel like WE need to give some reflection and thought on Thanksgiving.

So, let’s take a moment and reflect on what Thanksgiving really is ALLLL about!

Thanksgiving is ALL about the FAM!

Yes, Thanksgiving is all about spending time with beloved or not so much beloved family. You know the nerving uncle who always asks if you have any single friends and he’s in a relationship…(at least that was my life, go figure). Anywho, even with that, Thanksgiving is nothing without family, whether they get on your nerves or not. It’s a time to give thanks to God almighty for them, because as we all know. There are so many people out there who don’t have one and would just love to have a pestering dad, mom, brother or UNCLE to get on their nerves.

Thanksgiving is ALL about the FOOD!
Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels

I’ll take, “I’m a FOODIE” for $500 Alex! Yessss, I love me some good ole turkey and dressing (I’m from Arkansas so that’s what we call it there 😊) and put some gravy on the side with a little cranberry sauce??? and you had this girl at HELLO! Food has a way of bringing people together, hence the movie “Soul Food?” Put some good food on the table and I don’t care who you like or dislike, Food is one thing that we all can agree on. What’s your favorite holiday meal or food to eat for the holidays?

Thanksgiving is ALL about the SALES!
Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

We can ALL thank Thanksgiving for those HUGE Black Friday sales, take that Christmas, HA! Thanksgiving gives us that and if you’re willing to stand in line for hours, sometimes in the wee hours of the morning, you’ll grab ALL those goodies! If you don’t get run over first. I think in recent years, most stores are closed but open at 6 pm so you can start that black Friday shopping earlier, without getting bruised or a black eye! Yes, unfortunately, people are serious about their sales and that’s why Cyber Monday is POPULAR!!! Which is how I like to shop as I despise crowds. So thank you, Thanksgiving for bringing those sales in early.

Thanksgiving is ALL about Reflection…
Photo by Josiel Miranda from Pexels

It’s been a long year but a very rushed year as well. November came in here like a flash! Most people started new jobs, got married, had babies, started new relationships, businesses, bought homes and etc. This year has also been the opposite for most people, especially those that recently lost loved ones. I think I’ve heard of more people losing husbands, wives, children, grandparents and etc this year. It’s truly a praying and sad time indeed; however – it’s an even better time to reflect. I lost my mother, next week will be 3 yrs. It’s hard, especially around the holidays, so my heart goes out to those that have recently lost or have been estranged from their family for years.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the good, the bad and even the ugly things that happened, so we can get better, be braver and figure out how to do things differently the next go round. As far as that loved one is concerned, this is an even more special time to reflect on them. Just remember, as long as their in your heart, mind, and thoughts – they’re not ever truly gone. I know that for sure…

Thanksgiving is ALL about R&R
Photo by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels

It’s good to see family, serve family and have a good time with family and special friends but please make sure you take the time to REST & RELAX! Even if you have to go into a secret/quiet corner to do it. Get that rest, my friend!!

SOOOO, Let’s not DARE forget ALLLLL the wonderful things Thanksgiving has to offer. I mean, I even put off listening to Christmas music until the day after. Use this time to thank God, reflect, smell the air and TOTALLY be grateful for every. single. moment.

Life’s just way too short to rush moments. And while every store in town has its orders to move the months hurriedly along. Let’s just take a break, sip some tea and reflect on this one. I’m sure that’d be Thanksgiving’s orders…if it really had a say in the matter.

While it doesn’t, we do. So let’s not DARE forget it…

Have a Happy, Thankful, Joyous & Reflective Thanksgiving Everyone!

It’s Fall, So Are You Doing These 5 Things To Prepare?

Featured photo by Roshonda – B Creative

Yes, Yes, Yes – It’s Officially October, time for pumpkins, Halloween and time changes! Are you ready to FALL back? Soon we’ll be gaining an hour and sipping everything from Spiced Apple Cider to Pumpkin something. I mean they come out with some new way to put pumpkin in your drink and food every year, right? Ah-hum..”Hence the Pic below”

Yes, this reallyyyyy does exist! – Read it here! (After you’ve read this post that is, wink =)

It seems like Starbucks jumped the gun by offering PSL (Pumpkin Spiced Latte’s) on August 27th!!!! Okay, Starbucks??? We see you!! However, to get a PSL during that time seemed a little off-season (literally) I mean, we were still suffering through the heat of the summer and the sound of a PSL didn’t feel like fall to me. While Starbucks broke the trending record that day, I personally like to drink “Pumpkin Spiced” anything during the “actual” time for it. (I know, I can be a weirdo about certain things, but I digress)

Anywho, while we “truly” prepare for fall which also includes the cutting of a delicious turkey and bringing down the Christmas tree…..Okay, I’m pushing it but this year has already pushed itself out the door already!! One more blink of an eye and we’ll be in……..2020!! Okayyyyy, hold your horses Ro!, sorry = ( didn’t mean to take ya that fast, so, let’s back up and enjoy this blissful fall and all the pumpkin things it brings, deal?

Now that we’re officially two weeks and some change into fall, there’s a lot of switch-a-roo’s that’ll be going on; such as switching out short sleeves for long sleeves and sandals for boots! So, let’s get into the 5 things that you need to be doing NOW in order to be TRULY, FALL READY!

1. longer sleeves – oh YES!, OH no?

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels

Yesss now’s the time to put up all the summer wear (if you haven’t already, most people start early) in which I’m a very late bloomer when it comes to this. I hate covering up! I’ll milk the short sleeves and sandals until my arms and feet can’t take it anymore and I absolutely hate big, overly huge coats. Just give me a scarf, gloves, hat and a very light jacket and I’m good. But now’s the time to pull out those long johns (does anybody say that anymore?) and long sleeves. It’s also the time to purchase a scarf, hat, gloves, and earmuffs. If you’re like me, I have to buy a pair every year.

2. Replace the batteries in the Smoke Detectors!

Photo Credit: Bing

This is the time of year where smoke alarms are not in the best of use, especially around the holidays. Unchecked batteries won’t’ be much help to a smoke detector or even a carbon monoxide detector if something should happen (God Forbid!) but it’s best to get them checked out every season. Have you heard any beeping noises lately? Check it out and make sure your batteries are good and give it a quick push of the button just to make sure it’s working. Better safe than sorry, eh…

3. Any plans for the New Year?

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels

I know we’re a couple of months away and NO ONE wants to think about this now but hey, Fall’s the PERFECT time to plan out what goals you want to accomplish in the upcoming year. “Did you complete the goals you started out with this year?”” Where were your pitfalls?” “What is it that you need to do to make sure you stick to it next time around.” “Did you set the bar too high to reach?” Right now is the time to think about what you want to do going forward. Short steady goals ensure you complete them on time.

4. The Best time of year to work out!

Photo by Luis Quintero from Pexels

I believe the fall/winter is the bestest time to workout. It’s not too hot to go outside for a walk or run and since its fall/almost winter. It’s also the best time to work on your skincare and nutrition routine. I always say, you know what people do in the winter when you see them in the summer. You’ll know if they’ve been taking care of their skin, body and etc. While you’re in hibernation, use this time to work on that health, skin and summer body…now’s the time. (I’m definitely going to be getting some workout time in ; )

5. TRY SOMETHING NEW for a change!

Photo Credit: Bing

Let’s face it, fall is the time of year where all types of parties are going on. From Halloween all the way to Christmas, someone’s going to be throwing a party or there’s going to be some type of event going on, I mean “Tis the Season?” literally! So, while you’re scheduling your party plans, whether to throw one yourself or attend one. Add, doing something NEW to the list! Maybe a new recipe (if you need a little pumpkin inspiration, for the whole month of October 2017 I cooked up a different “pumpkin” inspired recipe! – Just put pumpkin in the search engine to check them all out and let me know if you do one!), hair-do (Gosh knows I do this one regularly) or whatever you want to try!

Why wait until the new year to make a resolution or try something new for yourself. Time is of the essence and as we all know, it waits on NO ONE! At least not the last time I checked, that is. So join me in saying YES! before 2020! You’re worth it and hey, you only live once right? I mean it’s okay to have a little fun, in retrospect that is…lol.

So there you have it, That’s my FAB 5 things you should be doing to prepare for the Fall or I guess I should say, that you should be doing NOW that fall is already here…

What about you? Do you have any other suggestions for fall preparation? Let me know in the comments!

Valentines on A Budget – 5 Tips to Save You Money!

Valentines is officially HERE! and while today may be the BIG V-Day, most people may opt to do something small today, with a bigger celebration more than likely starting tomorrow night and on through the weekend, right??

Valentine’s is the next most popular-est holiday, outside of Christmas. As soon as Christmas is over you can almost guarantee the week or two after, stores will begin to fill up with red, pink and white balloons, bears, candies and roses galore…I mean, that’s just how it rolls.

In Honor of Black History Month >> Check This Out >> My History, Your History, Black History Facts You Might Didn’t’ Know About.

However, while Valentines is a day that everyone (well not everyone, but you get it) uses to express their undying love and affection for a significant other – it can also be extremely COSTLY! Yes, LOVE really does cost a thing, especially on V-Day.

And that alone can be a little disheartening as everyone may not have the Benjamin’s to splurge on LOVE. Therefore, I’m going to give you 5 tips of how you can keep the cost down on the world’s most LOVE filled day.

Scavenger Hunt

Valentines Day is the perfect day to tell your significant other how much you love them and while words are great – ACTIONS are better. Get some nice paper, preferably construction paper. Fold it in half and cut along the fold line to make hearts, make sure you use different colors – it just makes the activity more fun and expressive.

Image Credit: Pexels

Write nice things you love about your sweetie on each one and put them all over your living space (preferably in places you know they always go). You might want to let them know you’re doing this and tell them you’ve placed little love notes throughout the space and send them on a little hunt to find it. Or, it can be a complete surprise. You can do it while they’re sleeping, to up the ante – you can tape little pieces of chocolate on, to make the surprise even sweeter.

Handwritten Letters

I know this is a bit old-fashioned, especially with the boat loads of technology we have today. Taking out time to sit down and actually write a letter shows that you not only care but it’s the sincerest affection to give. You can write a love note to anyone; your kids, your spouse, a good friend, boyfriend, girlfriend or just to let someone know how much you appreciate them. The fact that you took out time to do it, will be the greatest gift of love and adoration shown.

Image Credit: Pexels

Plan a Date night in Your Kitchen or Dining Room

Now, I know some people may already sit down to have dinner together, but V-Day is an extra special day that causes for an extra va-voom to your dinner/meal conversation. Use your phone to create a V-Day playlist to serve as your background music. Light a couple of candles or string a couple of lights around your chandelier or alongside your wall (get those creative juices going).

Image Credit: Pexels

During your meal, don’t talk about work or any outside disturbances. Use this time to talk about each other. What made you fall in love and etc. And if you’re flying solo, no worries plan a night with the kids (no phones, no talk about work) use that time to tell them something special about themselves and etc. Just keep the talk about LOVE. If you don’t have kids, then invite some friends over and chat it up.

You also don’t have to buy any expensive dinners, cook whatever you got in the fridge or cabinets because this moment isn’t about the food but being amongst those you LOVE.

Movies Anyone? – Favorite V-Day Classics

If you’re an avid follower, then you know I LOVE LOVE LOVE movies. What better way to settle in on V-Day or whenever you decide to celebrate it than with a good ole love classic and some popcorn. Listed below are a couple of my faves in no particular order…

Image Credit: Pexels
  • Valentine’s Day (2010)Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Jamie Foxx
  • Serendipity (2001)John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale
  • Pretty Woman (1990)Julia Roberts, Richard Gere
  • Love and Basketball (2000) Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps
  • The Notebook (2004)Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling
  • Titanic (1997) Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet
  • An Officer & A Gentleman (1982)Richard Gere, Debra Winger
  • 50 First Dates (2004) – Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore

Spa Day – INSIDE

As a people I honestly don’t think we do enough self-care routines (I’m totally preaching to the choir on this one (AMEN!). So why not create your own spa day inside. Light some candles, turn on some soft music and create a bubble bath for one or two (wink..) You don’t even have to have those high-priced soaps that do all the special things – if you got some body wash that’ll do just fine for creating the bubble effect. Get you a glass of wine (sparkling or other) and just RELAX! And follow-up with a good skin care regimen.

Image Credit: Pexels

I know Valentine’s day may not be a big deal to some people’s world and that’s okay as it doesn’t take a holiday to show LOVE. However you choose to spend V-day, just make sure you’re showing yourself some love and/or spending time with the people you do. Time is precious and LOVE, whether a holiday or not is worth giving.

Glazed Cherry Bread
Looking for something delicious and different to whip up for V-Day? You’ll love this cherry bread recipe made with delicious maraschino cherries. To get the full recipe and view the video of how it’s made visit Tastes of Lizzy T.