Christams Shopping.

After reviewing the GRANDe lists my siblings sent for what they want for Xmas. I decided to just give them cash! That way, I stick to my budget and that could help fund whatever they want. What I've realised is that when I go out shopping I spend more than I need to either by buying more stuff for them or including myself in the list LOL. I always go all out during Christmas and celebrations but this year will be low key. In fact, I was going to do the whole black friday but decided against it this morning. I checked out the ads and no store has what I need at a :reasonable price: for me. I need a blender (will just watch out for sales during the yr), toaster (Target will have for $3 yay!) and vacuum cleaner (will continue using my broom- hey, it works :p).

Things I'm thinking about reducing in my budget as of NOW are travelling and getting my hair done (I'll learn to take care of it myself HOPEfully) Ohhhhhhh, and definitely dining out. I have the urge for Shawarma today but I'll surpress it because I have the power to LOL. I have alot of food in the house I can cook for real. I've also cut out movies - I do redbox from time to time. Most of the time, I usually get a free code *wink*. I've also cut out shopping. I really don't need any more clothes, shoes or accessories. Hello simple living. What do you think you can cut back to meet your financial goals? Think about it and make up your mind to stick with it :)

Happy Holidays :)

Letters Put Together

I'm going to see this documentary this weekend and I'm so excited. Check it out



It got me thinking about our words. Letters put together to become words are probably one of the most powerful tools on earth. I was watching Oprah last night as soon as I got back from a church program while chowing down a delicious cold cut sub with red wine vinegarette sauce and jalopenos, it was too yummy, I had it for breakfast too this morning. Oh, I digress!

So I was watching the later half of Oprah last night and Debby Boone came on and was talking about how her stepmom DELIGHTED in her children. They chatted about making an effort to smile when you came in contact with someone and just delight in them, be positive with them, leave a mark somehow so they feel loved instead of critisizing everything they do.

If you hang around someone who critisizes you a lot, tell them how you feel, if it doesn't change things then maybe, you need to get new company. A little critism is ok, it's good infact but all the time???

Watch your words and actions towards others. I know I need to watch mine for sure!!!

Who can ever stop us?

Love this :)

Say You're One Of Them!

So yesterday I had to unplug all my distractions - tv, cell phone and internet and go back to the basics -- reading!!! I remember back home when it rained so hard, NEPA took light and we had nothing to do except jisting with ourselves or reading :). I like going to the bookstore from time to time to feast my eyes and I end up buying loads of books each and every single time. I put them in my collection and smile but never get around to reading some, can you imagine?

Anyhoo, I got a hold of http://www.amazon.com/Say-Youre-Them-Uwem-Akpan/dp/0316113786 Say You're One of Them from our very own Nigerian native, Uwem Akpan! - It was a book recommended by Oprah and is a collection of a few different stories from different parts of Africa. I'm in the first story, which is set in Nairobi,Kenya - so sad; impoverished children telling it like it is through their eyes. I almost started crying reading it. I don't wanna give the story away and I'm not done yet but this book is a MUST READ :)

Oh you prisoner of society!

Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock! "Is it 5 O'Clock YET?" she said to herself. Boy, it was such a draining day at work. She passed away time by listening to some music and responding to some mails & comments on *cough* facebook! 5pm eventually came and she grapped her coat, locked her office, said bye to the receptionist, escalated down numerous floors and zapped out of the office. It was pouring outside! Thank goodness for a huge purse that holds everything you can imagine :)))...come out you handy dandy umbrella. She bugun walking her regular quarter mile to the parking lot and could not help but notice this lady...dressed nicely, looked great but was seriously struggling to walk. She looked uneasy, she seemed unstable and uncomfortable; she was wearing 6 inch HEELS :)


My oh my. Who in the world invented heels and WHY? I did a little research and found that it started in the 17th century, mostly royalty and short people wore it. Women started wearing it for good posture and men wore it mainly when they rode horses to keep their feet from sliding off the stirrup iron. Sha Sha Sha it became a culture we call FASHION! Why do we love to wear something that causes back problems, foot aches and BUNIONS. Don't get it twisted I own several pairs but I only wear them where I know I'm going to sit :p. I love my flats, thank you very much! I just see loads of laydees suffering mentally, emotionally, physically and financially in the name of fashion!

Have you stopped to think why you do the things you do? Why especially us women go through such turmoil to look good. This has been in my head for awhile now and watching "Good Hair" stirred a lot of questions in my head. I mean we have truly become prisoners of society, prisoners of beauty!Regular people putting $1000 hair on layaway Nawaya! . Where is the hair from? India! From other peoples heads...eww...I may never buy a weave again LOL...(I'll just exhaust the ones I have...yeah)


Hair - Weave on point
Nails - Acrylic french tips Check
Make Up - Yeah, we got MAC in the bag
Clothes - Just got me a pair of designer clothes, shoes, best believe it

If you can afford it that's fine but don't break the bank ladies because it only brings you TEMPORARY satisfaction and joy...been there, done that...haven't shopped for months...doesn't tickle my fancy anymore and I feel good...do as your spirit convicts you sha sha

Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Don't get me wrong o, I love to look good! But when it becomes priority over the things that matter it's a problem. I know some people that never look normal, meaning you never see them without make up or dressed down - wear a t-shirt or something sometimes...e no go kill you.

If you cannot do without something because you feel you would not be accepted by the society, then you are a prisoner of society.

If you cannot leave your house without make-up, you are a prisoner of society

If you have to wear designer this and that (someone else's name to prove your identity...hellor) then you are prisoner of society


If you always have to get your nails done, eye brows waxeed, etc = Prisoner of Society

If you have to drive the latest this or that - POS

If you have to own the latest gadget - POS - can I have you BB Pin? Hmm LOL


If you have to acquire the fanciest house = POS

And so on... you name it....you know what your addictions are...admit it to yourself! :)

I ain't perfect...I just wonder...and have been convicted to a certain extent...

BOTTOM LINE - LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND DON'T BOTHER ABOUT WHAT SOCIETY THINKS...DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU!!!

Mucho D'Amour

Convicted Sister

PS - if you see any typos, hail me...your girl is too lazy to proof read :)

All she intended to do was SLEEP! (One)

Whew! Felt like she was Gulliver Traveler's wife...in and out of planes, like an airhostess - simply exhausting. She loves babies but, man, not babies on planes; there were tenors, sopranos and alto's singing out of key like they were on the set of "Harmonization gone BAD"...talk about "pounding a hammer on one's head". Thank goodness, final destination is today...she bids fairwell to her friend and heads to the security hauling a hand luggage that weighed heavier than she did. As she walks to the gate, all she could think of was her bed, her domain, her own space... :), amala and ogbona impatiently waiting to be swallowed hmmmm. She quickly rushes to the gate, it's almost 10 mins to departure....NOT! 1.5 hr delay! Great! Just great! Agitation, Irritation & Vexation sets in...Arrrrgh. " Ok, calm down!" she tells herself, "at least you have your ipod, phone and magazines to keep you occupied."

Alas, it's time to board! She throws everything in her luggage and zaps into the plane! "I am ready to sleep o" she tells herself. What a conundrum it was that she loved to travel, yet hated flying. You know the feeling you got when you first entered an elevator? Yup! That type of feeling stretched out about 2 hrs...VOMIT! Anyhow, she throws her luggage up with the help of someone yet again for the umpteenth time....:)

[SIDEBAR]most people on the plane seemed real nice for some odd reason, like they have the "we may be dying together and I wanna make heaven or paradise" mentality [END SIDEBAR]

She scurries off to her seat...seat belt sign comes on...she buckles up! Time to sleep :)))...oh no! She forgot to remove her Ipod from her luggage! It just gets better!!! Man sitting next to her starts sparking conversation o_O! Dude, she already told you she wants to sleep! How could she resist and brush him off without being rude ehn? She had no "sweet escape"...she left everything up there and had no form of distraction :(. Guy starts talking about his family and what not, it doesn't help that he keeps burping every 5 seconds; smells like he'd just pour curry and garlic in his mouth from an Indian restaurant before jumping in the plane...VOMIT! She's trapped - Claustrophobia

Man: Where are you off to?
Lady: ________
Man: Really? Do you leave there? What part?
Lady: SE
Man: I live in the NE
Lady: Cool cool
Man: What is your name?
Lady: [SIDEBAR] Paranoia sets in! This is America honey...I'm not about to give you all my information [END SIDEBAR]. Abby is my name she says
Man: What is the full name?
Lady: [SIDEBAR] Chineke! Is this guy for real? I wanna sleep o[SIDEBAR] That's it!

To be continued

Incomprehensible Love

I was on your mind that day
When they crucified you
What did you think of me?
What did you see?

Did you see my disregard for the pain you suffered?
And if you did, how did you take the scars
Knowing that I'd break your heart?

It only makes sense when I look at it all from a lovers view
You did it all for a chance, just one chance, I'd be with you

Reconciled to you
Though you knew the world would not receive you
Still you gave your life to try
Even with our faults, even in our sins, you love us still

Now I know I can never repay you
But I'll dedicate my life to try
For it's no longer my own, you purchased me home
When you atoned for my sins, for my love with you

You did it for one chance I'd be with you - TY Bello

So here I am :)