*ini looks around feverishly for matches and lighter fluid … looks up and notices readers*

Hey hey now party people, I didn’t see you there.

Remember this here post about setting ships ablaze?   If not, go read it then come back. I’ll wait.

Well, here’s a quicky update on what my  strategy is now that I have 4 … count them FOUR working days left on this contract. Then no job. Oh and a human growing in my inner parts. You know, the usual Wednesday.

God has provided (like that’s a big surprise).

Hubby and I went out for Valentine’s day and he calmly told me that we had been blessed in many areas of a financial nature, and that meant that I did not have to look for another job pre-baby-arrival if I didn’t want to.

Well, well, well, well. Please hold my laptop while I PRAISE HIM!!

Do. it. Jesus.

So basically the gist is, we won’t be making near as much moula as we did even with me working part time (I work in I.T. and I.T. pays well, even for a 24 hour week) … BUT … we will be able to make it do what it do in the meantime in between time if we are intentional (which we’ve already started with much success on February 1).  I’ve also been in “do it” mode since he told me, almost like a huge weight or cloud has lifted and I can be more productive without the stress of needing to find another gig immediately. I exhaled. *insert cheddary dramatic music here*  Seriously people, last night I vaccumed under my couch cushions.

Who is happy? *ini points at self with ridiculously big grin on her face*

The other thing that I will be doing (beyond all the obvious prep for baby and taking over the world) is vetting other jobs that interest me and applying to them (maybe even ones in other industries).  Beyond that I will do as my husband so aptly said that night and “Take a break, [I] need one.”

Jesus.

More updates on ship burning to come.   Oh and if you prayed like I asked you to in the previous post, thank you.  

Until next time Glam Fam I wish you

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Nappyness,

@Glamazini | facebook.com/IamGlamazini | youtube.com/Glamazini | Google+

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Disclosure: No physical ships were harmed in the writing of this post. For more information about the Glamazini.com disclosure policy, click here.

 

 

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I just got me a tweet saying I am featured on TheCubicleChick.com (one of my fav blogs ) as one of the 25 Brown Bloggers You Should Be Following.   I took my sleepy self over there *yawn* and look see what I found! 

25 Brown Bloggers You Should Be Following

 I’m number 11 … I love the number 11!

See the entire list of 25  on TheCubicleChick.com here.

Until next time Glam Fam I wish you

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Nappyness,

@Glamazini | facebook.com/IamGlamazini | youtube.com/Glamazini | Google+

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Disclosure: For more information about the Glamazini.com disclosure policy, click here.

 

 

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Chellur ya’ll .

Don’t let the fact that I am yet again behind on posts and just washed the press out last weekend stop you from enjoying this quick little video How-To. While I was wrapping my pressed natural hair, I realized I should share with ya’ll because I never was great at wrapping when my hair was relaxed, but this method helped immensely.

Enjoy:

How To Wrap Your Hair

You will need a wide-toothed comb, a fine-toothed comb, a wrap scarf, bobby pins, a moisturizing product (optional), and some hair (preferably growing out your head).

1. Start with a side part in the front
2. Use the wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair, being gentle with the ends
3. Use the fine-toothed comb, smooth the larger section down, around your head, and bobby pin it behind your ear
4. Part a vertical section in the smaller section and wrap it toward the front of your head, up and around, pinning it down as close to the same ear as possible
5. Continue adding sections and pinning them down until you have 1 section left
6. Wrap the last section up and around, 1st bobby pinning near the opposite ear, then wrapping and pinning the ends close to the 1st ear
7. Add bobby pins as necessary but don’t overdo it
8. Cover your hair with scarf of your choice (the one in the video is from HairFashionInnovations.com)
9. Sleep
10. Awaken, remove bobby pins, use wide-toothed comb to comb down hair. Add a part and style as desired.

Hope that helped!

Until next time Glam Fam I wish you

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Nappyness,

@Glamazini | facebook.com/IamGlamazini | youtube.com/Glamazini | Google+

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Disclosure: I grew the hair in the video from my own scalp and purchased all combs. The curved bobby pins and Jane Carter product were gifts. The hair wrap was sent for review by HairFashionInnovations.com. For more information about the Glamazini.com disclosure policy, click here.

 

 

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This is Pothy, short for pothos, he’s a philodendron and I am his mother.

Oh me oh my *tear*

I am a bad bad plant mommy. 

It (he … Pothy), wasn’t always like this. Let me explain.

He is the 1st plant I ever owned.  When an ex (who had a green thumb) told me that I “needed something alive in my apartment besides me”, I ended up with this plant … and he (Pothy) thrived.  I remember in 1 of my apartment circa 1998 he was HUGE!  He grew clear out the planter and hung down to the floor. I used to tuck the vines underneath so I wouldn’t step on them.  He climbed the walls behind him, it was like a jungle in there LOL.  Everytime I moved I took Pothy with me.

Another special feature of Pothy is that I would cut off clippings, let them take root in a glass of water, then plant them and give them to friends as gifts. I can’t remember now who all I gave them too, but it was a special gift with special meaning to me since I had the original plant and they had the “offspring” so to speak.

But now Pothy is dying. 

Why you ask?

Well, I’m a horrible plant mommy and I don’t water him, plain and simple. He was sitting on top of my refrigerator and doing well for years in that spot, but of late I’ve neglected him to the point that every leaf is gone and all that’s left is a dying vine.

I am the world’s worst plant mommy.  

I tried like the dickens to find pictures of him in his hayday but to no avail. Everything I found was tiny and he was in the background barely so you’ll have to take my word about his former glory.    I’ve decided to try to revive him because, with all the changes about to happen in my life in 2012 I feel a renewed need to keep the giving spirit of life that he represents going and growing.  I like what Mr. Pothy stands for.

That said, I took his poor soul down from on top of the fridge the other day and gave him a good trim like so:

There are only 6, count them, SIX (barely) living leaves left. I clipped off the drying vine and decided to start anew.  Then I watered Pothy until the soil was damp and water was coming out the bottom.

I’m not sure if this is what I should do every time I water but I know for this first “revival” session it couldn’t hurt. He was parched.  Lastly Pothy got a new home in the window sill above the sink in my kitchen.

Once again, I’ll need to do some research on whether he will live there permenantly but for now, I don’t think the direct light will hurt him much.  To my recollection he always thrived in a well lit area sorta away from a bright window, so he may end up moving in a while after I do more research.

At any rate, as random as this is, I thought I’d share my journey to revive my dying symbolic plan with ya’ll.  Wish me luck and I’ll let you know updates as time passes.

Do you have any tips on how to care for Pothy? Let me know in the comments below & thanks!

Until next time Glam Fam I wish you

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Nappyness,

@Glamazini | facebook.com/IamGlamazini | youtube.com/Glamazini | Google+

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Disclosure: I own Pothy, he was not a gift. I am a bad plant mommy trying to do better. For more information about the Glamazini.com disclosure policy, click here.

 

 

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If you don’t know, riding the baby train. Here’s my 9th post in this preggo series. I’m almost caught up to real time. Enjoy!

Written January 25, 2012 ::: 17 WEEKS 0 DAYS :::

Uh yeah, it’s like I totally abandoned the written part of this blog post and just started doing videos. Sorry about that, it’s just easier to plop down infront of a camera and start rattling on.

This is my first written post in the 2nd trimester!

This past Monday I finally announced on my blog and my YouTube channel. The outpouring of love was beyond words!  It really made my day brighter, especially ’cause I left the house that AM feeling kinda down and deflated.

Also this past Monday my boss told me that my contract would not be renewed.  I started this contract in March of 2010. It was for 2 months. They have renewed it everytime for the past 2 years, a true blessing.

But this time they will not renew.

I try to look on the bright side of most things but it can’t help but cross my  mind that the timing is tre interesting. I was told it was due to budget cuts.  Interesting. I did not plan on telling anyone at work until January of this year, but ended up having to tell my boss last year becaause I was so sick. My humanity can’t help wonder what would have happened if I’d waited.

Deep thoughts.

On a brighter note, this past Monday was my monthly prenatal appointment and I got to hear Flickerbug’s heartbeat once more. I also had a strange “thump” feeling in my tummy while waiting on a flight from Miami on Sunday. Then last night I felt like marbles were rolling from the left to the right of my insides. I’m wondering if that’s Flicker … and if so that joker better take his lil butt to bed dancing all in my gut at 11PM! bwhahaha!!!

Write more as the spirit hits me.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Senica Naturals Website

Oil Cleansing Method

Until next time Glam Fam I wish you

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Nappyness,

@Glamazini | facebook.com/IamGlamazini | youtube.com/Glamazini | Google+

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Disclosure: For more information about the Glamazini.com disclosure policy, click here.

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I just got a tweet telling me congrats on being on @bglhonline 5 Bloggers With Great Length Retention. I didn’t know I was LOL, so I ran over to check out the post and look what I found!

BGLH • 5 Bloggers With Great Length Retention

Hey hey now! That’s me!

Read the entire blog post on BlackGirlLongHair.com here.

Until next time Glam Fam I wish you

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Nappyness,

@Glamazini | facebook.com/IamGlamazini | youtube.com/Glamazini | Google+

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Disclosure: For more information about the Glamazini.com disclosure policy, click here.

 

 

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Anyone notice a theme here?

I have been “going through” lately (as they say) but I’m determined to CHOOSE JOY whenever I am able to.  That said, I was just sitting here thinking about what I do to take an active part in what my mood is. It’s often a day-by-day choice, dare I say a minute-by-minute one … but it can be a choice.

Here are 5 things I do to raise my mood.  Feel free to share your mood raising techniques below in the comments! 

1.  I’m honest about what I love and surround myself

I love rubber duckies and I collect them. I started with cows (don’t ask) the moved on to duckies because they are bright, colorful, fun and things “roll off their backs” (get it?).  For years I stopped collecting telling myself that “adults” don’t collect duckies (even though I started my collection as an adult), but several years ago I broke them out their box in the basement and there are duckies in my car, on my desk, at work, and even on my dining table.  I’ve realized that by honoring the truth that I really love duckies (and they make me smile), it instantly puts my mood in a great place.  Oh and I also collect bubble blowers and am mildly obsessed with pirates.  

2.  Music music music!

Music has always been like a healing balm to my soul. My dad’s side of the family is full of musicians, singers, dancers, guitar players, keyboard players, rappers etc. etc. We are music.  Once again, years ago I had lost the music. I don’t know how I let that happen but I literally stopped really listening to music at all during my day-to-day life.  A.ma.zing.  Now Pandora is my friend, and like a doctor for my mind.  I’ve dusted off my iTunes list and love to wake up to music, get ready to music, drive anywhere listening to music, and randomly toss on songs during daily activities.  It changes the atmosphere instantly and adds melody to life. Mood lifted!

3.  I count my blessings.

You guys have seen my lists.  Here is one from yesterday of thing I Love.  Here’s another one of 100 things that make me happy.  I’ve done this offline for years.  It’s a sure-fire way to refocus my mind on what I have and not what I don’t have. I recommend it to anyone for immediate mood liftage. Yes I made up a word.

4.  I choose who I spend my time with

People can be a mood suck.  There I said it LOL.  Some people more than others, and usually those people don’t know they are one so you can’t rely on them to control their mood-suckiness. Yes I made up another word.  I am a savage guard of who I spend my precious time with, whoI listen to, who I speak to, who I let speak into my space etc. etc. If you can’t govern those around you, then learn to put up a mental forcefield against impending negativity so that it just hits the forcefield and slides off. No really, imagine their words hitting a glass infront of you and sliding to the floor, then smile and keep it pushing. Instant mood lift and inside joke.

5.  I laugh on purpose

“On purpose” is the operative phrase. If my mood is tanking I actively search out things that make me literally Laugh Out Loud!  I may go to the movies, I may call a fun friend, I may watch a show on the tele, I may draw silly pictures, I may dress up in a silly outfit and dance around in the sunlight streaming into an open window.  In the past I would goof off with my pets (I miss my fur babies).  Pretty much anything I know will make me smile, laugh and get myself outside of myself.

What are some ways you actively raise your mood? Share below in the comments!

Until next time Glam Fam I wish you

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Nappyness,

@Glamazini | facebook.com/IamGlamazini | youtube.com/Glamazini | Google+

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Disclosure: For more information about the Glamazini.com disclosure policy, click here.

 

 

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Until next time Glam Fam I wish you

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Nappyness,

@Glamazini | facebook.com/IamGlamazini | youtube.com/Glamazini | Google+

~~~~~~
Disclosure: For more information about the Glamazini.com disclosure policy, click here.

 

 

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Whew child! When it rains it pours.

First let me assure you, this is not a late Valentines Day post … it was written on Feb 15th .

Lately I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions. You ever have seasons in your life where the days seem like carbon copies of each other and months run together? Then you have these other times where it’s like each and every day has some pivotal moment that you just know is gonna change who you are and shape you as you move forward in this thing called life?

I’m having one of those pivotal seasons.

I haven’t (and won’t) tell ya’ll all … but you know some of it, my pregnancy, my uncle’s passing, my hormones resulting in ’bouts of depression, my contract at work ending.  It’s been heavy. That said, it hasn’t all been bad (although unfortunatly most of it has been *shakes fist at devil*), like recently my husband and I looked at our numbers and with all the blessings of late I won’t be looking for another job at this time in lieu of the baby being here in July. I am happy about that.

At anyrate, I got even more trying news recently and really have been trying to focus on the positive in my life, because there is so much, even when it seems like all the news coming my way is not.  Inspired by this post on ThePioneerWoman.com and my own list of 100 Things That Make Me Happy, I’m gonna toss up a list of things I love.  Lord knows I need to.

Here goes:

I love …

Adima

Flickerbug

Sunny days

Warm days

Sunny warm days

Legends of the Fall

Memoirs of a Geisha (the movie and the book)

Joy Luck Club

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Laughing until my belly hurts and tears fall

Wednesday evening (I work Monday-Wednesday)

Thursday morning (especially if it’s sunny)

The Caribbean

Blue ocean views

The smell of salt water

Vita Malt

Days off

Slouch boots

Brightly colored shoes

My parents & family

My church & pastors

Yorkies

Purple

Yellow

Pink

Red

Adele

Blogging

Vlogging

Taking walks with my husband

Dancing

Massages

Sparkly shoes

Silly hats & headbands

Assets

Sleeping late

Afternoon naps

Rubber duckies

Words

Havarti cheese

Planning fun surprises for my friends

Watching God do incredible things

Blasting music

Zumba (even though I haven’t done it in years)

Incense

Until next time Glam Fam I wish you

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Nappyness,

@Glamazini | facebook.com/IamGlamazini | youtube.com/Glamazini | Google+

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Disclosure: For more information about the Glamazini.com disclosure policy, click here.

 

 

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If you don’t know, renting out the guest room. Here’s my 8th post in this preggo series. I’m trying hard to catch you uys up so bear with me & enjoy!

Pregnancy Vlog • Weeks 13-14 • Told My Family & Lots of Advice

{386} Pregnancy Vlog • Week 15

Blog post about tote bag. 

BellaBand.com website.

Until next time Glam Fam I wish you

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Nappyness,

@Glamazini | facebook.com/IamGlamazini | youtube.com/Glamazini | Google+

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Disclosure: For more information about the Glamazini.com disclosure policy, click here.

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