Reverb13 - Day One through Three

I just found out about this journalling idea. I believe it was created by Gwen Bell in 2010. Each day an individual answers a prompt which reflects back on the the year that is coming to an end. This year Hope Wallace Kearney is hosting Reverb13 on her blog Besottment. I heard about this project from one of my favorite bloggers Kimberley Wilson on her website TranquilityduJour.

I would love to create a scrapbook but have decided to create a digital version here on my blog.

The days correspond to the day of December. Day one is December 1st. A prompt is revealed every day.

December 1 - Did you try anything new in 2013?
Was there anything that you did in 2013 that was a new experience? What was it? What was it like? How did it make you feel? If you did not try anything new - was there a reason? Something holding you back?

I went on my first Caribbean cruise in early 2013. I loved the island of St. Maarten and the parts of Miami that we visited. Miami is very large and spread out very much like Los Angeles area. Hubby and I rented a car and drove around the South Beach area.   I didn't like the huge mega ship.  It felt very impersonal. Hubby was furious the ship skipped its stop in the Bahamas. It was scary to leave the kids but it was nice to spend time with my hubby. It was nice for him to get away and relax after his health scare over the new year.


December 2 - What was the most memorable gathering you attended (or held) in 2013?
Did you attend a fun event? Throw a great party? Had dinner out with a great group of friends? Accomplished the perfect family outing? Which was the most memorable (good or bad), and why?



2006 Reunion in Los Angeles

The Moore family reunion which hubby and I coordinated was the most memorable event that I attended this year. As I described in a summer blog post, Hubby and I stressed out planning the event, organizing the supplies, purchasing the food, transporting everything to the event, setting up the picnic, cooking the bbq, and cleaning up the park after.


December 3 - What storm did you weather in 2013?
Big or small... obstacle(s) did you overcome? Feel free to be literal if you prefer... was there an actual storm that you survived?
My son getting in trouble at the end of jr high school.

Week in Review! Mid November

Let me first acknowledge that I have slid all the way off of my eating plan. I am very mindful of the fact that I have eaten way too many cookies, grilled cheese sandwiches, popcorn and almonds. Sigh! Tomorrow, my family will celebrate my mother's 76th birthday so I probably won't be able to get back on plan until Monday.

Accomplishment this week:

• Date today with hubby. Went to see "The Best Man: Holiday" . It was a great movie. While it has been 14 years since the first movie, the writer did an excellent job in picking up with the characters and adding just as much drama to this movie as the first. BRAVO!

• Lunch with hubby and middle daughter.
• Stayed on diet 3 days this week.
• Watched a high school production of 5 one act plays.
• Listed 9 items on ebay. 5 items have received bids and will sell as of today.
• Stopped buying stuff for upcoming cruise.
• Spent an hour with my son after picking him up from school.
• Several telephone calls with older daughter about her "hectic life at school, internship and job as well as lack of boyfriend."
• Attended bible study this past Wednesday.
• Preliminary brainstorming for ski week February vacation for me, hubby and kids. Yes it will be about a month after we come back from New Years eve trip but hubby wants to do something in February. Considerations include: Hawaii and New Orleans. Hmmm. I pick Hawaii.
• Began drafting goals for 2014.
• Entered contest for Tranquility Tour goodie bag by leaving comment on Tranquility du jour blog.
• I'm having concerns already about the Massage Envy membership contract that I signed up for because I tried to cancel an appointment and they didn't cancel it. Instead they sent me a reminder email 48 hours in advance. They did make the new appointment but failed to delete the original one. Sigh!  This is going to be a long year.

Weekend Wishlist!

• Birthday celebration for mom with the rest of my family.
• Do it myself manicure.
• Price new items for bathroom makeovers. 2 toilets & pedestal sink with installation.
• Price new refrigerator with bottom freezer or side by side which will fit in the space I have.

Looking Back at October 2014!

 

I celebrated my 49th birthday by taking the day off from work and pampering myself. I got a manicure and pedicure and a massage. I received a gift certificate from a place called Massage Envy and I had a terrific massage. Unfortunately I didn't realize that they high pressure sell you into purchasing a membership in which you pay $59.99 auto deduction from your credit card and then you receive a massage every month or a facial for an extra $10 fee. Bottom line I signed up for the monthly package and will be pampering myself with monthly massages. Yeah!

I went to the movies two time this month with hubby. I saw Last Vegas about some retired gentlemen who went to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. Earlier in the month we saw the movie Baggage Claim.

Socialize

Two co worker took me out for drinks and appetizers to La Revolucion in Richmond. Another co-worker is in a band that was playing there.

Study

I went to a professional conference on balancing Work and Home sponsored by the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. The conference speaker was a Life/Career Coach who did a few activities around clarifying goals and values but she left me wanting more. Which might have been her objective because she has her own consulting business. Anyway, After the event there was a wine, cheese and sandwiches. Many of the women left early but I did meet two women who worked for the California Department of Public Health. Nice group of women but I learned that I have a great job and life situation.

November

We went to my son's final football game of the season, yesterday. Yeah!

Wishlist for the next two weeks and the rest of the year.

• Continue with low salt, low carb diet.
• Finish Christmas shopping. Wrapping presents.
• Go on 2nd Honeymoon cruise with hubby!

Mid October Review!

 

 

I set some goals for this month and I am happy to report that I have been making great progress towards them. First please note my 49th birthday will be in 9 days.

 

Accomplishments this month:

 

• Completed 30 days abstinence ; no bread, no flour, no sugar. Woo Hoo!
• Progressed through rung #3 . Started incorporating dairy and seeds into my diet. Nuts such as almonds and almond butter continue to be a problem so I will have to eliminate them from my diet again. Learned to enjoy plain Fage brand 2% yogurt.
• Saw two movies: Gravity and Baggage Claim
• Went to early dinner at The Dead Fish restaurant. Enjoyed the Cioppini Fish Stew and fried calamari. Yes this was the first day off from my diet.
• Attended Women's Bible Study weekly.
• Walked daily at work.
• Lost 15 pounds of weight.
• Got 2 teenagers to high school and back and forth to after school activities daily.
• Supported husband through his procedure.
• Visited Mom and Dad for Sunday dinner.
   

 

 

2nd Honeymoon Planning

• Changed hotels for pre and post cruise. Will be staying pre cruise in old san juan and post cruise at a resort.
• Purchased strapless new years eve dress. Actually it is called an illusion strapless as it has the netting and beading around the neckline. I love it.
• Found a strapless bra that fits my boobs and make New Years Eve dress look fantastic.
• Still looking for a pair of 3 inch sparkle heels to take with me on the trip.
• I also purchased another maxi dress which Nordstroms is hemming for me this week and a more casural "fancy" dress to wear on the cruise. It is caribbean blue with a sparkle belt. I was looking at the sparkling wedding dress belts on Etsy so it is funny that I would find a dress with just a bit of beading at the waist. Earlier this year, I had returned a blue jersey knit dress to Nordstroms and so I was happy to find this new dress in the same color. This dress has a v-neck which I think is the most flattering with my bustline.
• Continued making a 2nd Honeymoon board on Pinterest.
• Found and purchased the white crochet beach cover up Becca brand at Nordstroms.
• Ordered 3 new white t-shirts from QVC. One is sparkle, one is a cold shoulder and one has a sequin anchor on it. I think I will send the anchor shirt back.

 

Beauty:

• Took out cornrow braids after 4 weeks. Needed to deep wash my scalp.
• Haven't decided what my cruise style will be but I am leaning towards a weave. I hate to spend upwards of $400 for hair so I may use the wavy hair that I already have.
• Purchased a set of Philsophy skin care products to improve my skin. I love the Miracle Worker brand products. Some facial sunscreen and body sunscreen spray.
• Got some new Moxie lipgloss from QVC.com  They were selling 6 lipglosses for $25.
• Sent a gift package of Philosopy products to my daughter in college for her birthday.

 

Christmas:

• Purchased a shirt for my dad for Christmas.
• Purchased some stocking stuffers for my kids for Christmas.

Other

• Took car for annual service. Had Service A completed as well as replace transmission fluid and brake fluid. Received estimate from Dent Wizard on removing dents from car. $975 including painting bumper.

 

Mrs P.A. Moore's Plan for the next two weeks of October:

• Hair appointment for press and curl.
• Dentist appointment
• Took day off from work for my birthday.
• Practice putting on false eyelashes.
• Payoff kids gifts which are on layaway.

 

 

 



Always a Bride. 2nd Honeymoon Ideas!

I love weddings and all things bridal. I love romance novels and movies that are romantic comedies.

My favorite television shows are those around weddings. I love Say Yes to the Dress. David Tutera's My Fair Wedding and Four Weddings. I don't like Bridezillas. Needless to say I'm a hopeless romantic.

 



 

Hubby and I will be married for 23 years this coming November. Yeah!

After the hellacious year that we've had with hubby being hospitalized with a stroke on New Years and the number of follow up appointments with doctors he and I have endured I decided to celebrate New Year 2014 in a big way. We've also dealt with a hormonal teenager son and moody teenager daughter so they won't be celebrating with us. I asked hubby and he said go for it. So I did.

I booked a cruise for just hubby and I which leaves right after Christmas and travels over New Years Eve. Squeal. Yes, I feel a little bit guilty about leaving the teens right after Christmas but hey they will hang out with the cousins or their grandparents.

Details of the destination and ports of call to follow.

Anyway, right now I am in full fantasy planning stages. I am not currently purchasing clothes because I plan to lose a few pounds and don't want to make it okay to stay big by buying new stuff in my current size. I hope to be down at least a size or so. I am on a strict diet of protein and vegetables.



That being said I've decided to pick up a few cute honeymoon things to take along for the cruise. I had  a great time planning my vows renewal cruise in 2011. This time we won't do the vow renewal but we will do the honeymoon.

Items I've decided to invest in these custom items from etsy.com:

This robe is one size fits all. I'm going to ask the seller for measurements.

One more thing, I love these Ugg boots. They are called I do  Coquette and they come in white shimmer. I think these would be perfect for wearing on the plane and on cool mornings on my veranda. Last year I missed my comfy sheepskin slippers.

More details about Mrs. P.A. Moore's 2nd honeymoon to follow.

 

Looking Back at September 2013!

September was a busy month for me. I've managed to get something accomplished in each of the categories I set out to address for this years goals.

 

Socialize

Went to movie with hubby to see The Butler. Great movie.

Had one girls night out with two women from work.

Attended 3 weeks of bible study.

Took mom to her favorite thrift shop.

Took mom to a tea party at the Pardee House in Oakland.

 

Save

Put a gift on layaway for kids for Christmas. All part of my master plan to not run up debt.

Listed one item on ebay. Goal is to list 4 more by the end of the weekend.

 

Study

Just finished doing a preliminary read for Wild Rose Press

 

Beauty Stuff

Got hair braided in cute Ghana cornrow braids.

Started walking daily with a co-worker.

Manicure Pedicure with sparkle orange polish.

Completed 9 days so far of low carb diet. It is the only diet that makes me feel "well".

 

 

Wish List for October

 

October is my birthday month!

 

My goals are to continue with my eating plan.

Lose 10+ pounds.

List 25 items to sell on ebay.

Celebrate my birthday.

Go on at least one date with hubby.

 

 

 

 



Looking back at August!

 

The last official month of Summer ended with a bang!

 

Managed to get a bunch of stuff accomplished.

 

Got my kids registered and started in High School.

Read one book and wrote review on romantic suspense for publisher that I do preliminary reads for.

 

Hosted extended family for a weekend.

Hosted in laws and supported hubby for family reunion.

Welcomed college age daughter home from college for the weekend.

Ordered tee shirts for family reunion.

Purchased supplies for reunion.

Purchased food for reunion.

Packed and carried stuff to reunion site.

Cooked hot dogs and hamburgers at reunion.

Cleaned up picnic site.

Posed for pictures at site.

Decorated site.

Posted pictures on Facebook site.

 

Paid off credit cards, car loan and a few random bills.

Planned New Years Eve vacation for hubby and I.

Daughter to orthodontist appointment for new braces. Paid off braces.

 

Welcomed hubby home from a weeklong business trip.

 

Added one Big Baby Bratz doll to my collection.

 

Enjoyed Labor Day weekend with family at Mom and Dad's house.

 

Pedicure with hubby. Lunch date with hubby.

Hair appointment for new natural hair style. It didn't last.

 

September Wishlist!

 

Save money. Stick to budget.

Exercise.

Lose 5 pounds.

Read at least 2 books.

Write outline for a new novel.

List some stuff on ebay to sell.

 



Beautiful Curvy Girls I love... & Week in Review!

Beautiful Curvy Girls I love...

pinterest

pinned from bigfashionrd.tumbler.com

 

pinterest

pinned from curvyisthenewblack.tumbler.com

 

pinterest.com

source unknown

 

My goal is to lose 25 pounds by the end of the year. That's only 5 pounds a month. 1 1/2 pounds a week. Today is day one of my fast/ detox/ cleanse. Meaning I am not eating anything but drinking lots of water, some relaxation tea and some diet tea.

Although I love my curvy sisters, I am trying to get back to my "playing weight". I am always exhausted an the doctor suggested that I may have some sleep apnea which causes me to wake up during the night and so I don't get fully rested. He suggested that if I lose weight that will also make me sleep better. I also want to look like myself. I haven't since I had my first child 21 1/2 years ago.
I'd love to go on a cruise with hubby in a year or so at my goal weight or better yet start my 50 year (birth day in 2014) looking and feeling my best.

Week in Review!

So my week off from work has been busy. It's nice to spend some time at home taking care of stuff  that I don't have much time to do during the regular work week.

This week I had my annual physical.

 

Took daughter to the orthodontist. Paid deposit. Took her back to have braces put on.

 

Spent time with parents.

 

Went to look at landscaping bricks at Home Depot. Realized I don't have the funds after paying for orthodontist.

 

Interviewed 2 contractors from Craigslist. One turned out to be on the State Contractors Board website for Most Wanted lisf for working without a license, elder abuse in a contracting job and the list went on . The other called me 4 times to postpone until I told him to forget about it. He had his licensed revoked by the State Board. So basically I am done with looking on craigslist for

contractors.  

 

Took teenagers to pediatrician for annual physicals.

 

Had hair straightened. I almost look like myself again.

 

Ate way too much pizza last night. Yum! Trying to fast today.

 

 

Wrote blog posts about my favorite bloggers.

 

Balanced checkbook. Realized I don't have enough money for Scrapbook Expo crop registration. Okay maybe I do but don't want to take it down to the last penny. But I kind of want to go. It is my creative outlet.

 

I thoroughly cleaned and reorganized my closet last Saturday. Filled a bag with clothes for donation.

 

Started looking a cruises again. I really would like to do something next February but need to pay off the bills from last cruise and need to save a little more cash. Been trying to win a cruise by entering a contest of two that pops up on twitter or facebook. #Fingerscrossed

 

Today is my last official day off from work. I have the weekend but you know it's not really a day off.

 

Product Review

Tried out the Shea Moisture hair product. Basically it was very greasy and left a sticky feeling. I am looking for soft without the greasy feel. It did make some really nice curly twists when I parted a small portion of my hair and did a two strand twist. I guess it serves its purpose as a leave in conditioner. I won't spend the $12 again on this product. I have decided to go for regular blow outs and curl with stylist Adrienne.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back at July!

I spent the afternoon at my parents house. All they wanted to do was watch their cowboy shows on television. After a half hour or so I was hooked on episodes of Gunsmoke, Cowboys and all things Old West.

Cowboy things I love...

 

 

Cowboy Cookies

http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/08/30/cowboy-cookies/
Cowboy Cookies

 

 

Cowboy Television

Old Gunsmoke television episodes

 

 

 Black Cowgirls!

http://pragmaticobotsunite.com/thursday-open-thread-african-american/
Mary Fields
for her.

 

Mary Fields, also known as Stagecoach Mary, was the first African-American woman employed as a mail carrier in the United States, driving her mail route by stagecoach from Cascade, Montana to St. Peter’s Mission, Montana. She was only the second American woman in all to work for the United States Postal Service. Born a slave circa 1832 in Hickman County, Tennessee (the exact year of her birth is uncertain) she was freed when American slavery was outlawed in 1865. For some time she worked repairing the buildings of a school for Native American girls in Montana called Saint Peter’s Mission a Catholic convent, eventually advancing to forewoman. While there, she formed a strong bond with Mother Amadeus. When the nuns moved to Montana and Mary learned of Mother Amadeus’ failing health, she went west to help out. Having nursed Mother Amadeus back to health, she decided to stay and help build the St. Peter’s mission school. She protected the nuns. Mary was a pistol-packing, hard-drinking woman, who needed nobody to fight her battles



Stagecoach Mary and the Cascades (The Cascade, Mt baseball team)
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/fields.html
I love baseball too.

Historical Romances with African American Characters

Night Song - Best. Story. Ever.

 

 



Today was the first day of my one week staycation. I took this week off intending to take the July California Bar exam but cancelled my registration a few months ago and stopped studying so that I could study more casually for another year. Sigh!

I don't have many plans for this week except to go get a physical exam. Completed that today,

Take my kid to the orthodontist for a consultation ( already know they need the braces) ,

Pediatrician for back to school/sports physical.

I would also like to purchase the brick pavers for the short retaining wall in my garden.

I am also trying out a new product for my natural hair. It is called Shea Moisture Brand Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie with silk proteing and Neem Oil. $11.99 at Target. I will write a review next week.

 

Week in Review

I took out my hair extensions.

Scheduled hair appointment for deep condition and trim

Ordered hair accessories online from ebay.

Deep cleaned/ organized closet.

Clear manicure/ French pedicure

Visited parents. Watched 3 episodes of Gunsmoke which is my dad's favorite television show.

 

Week In Review!

Things I love about summer!

 

Amusement parks

 

 

Beach Boardwalks

 

 

Watermelon

 

 

Week in Review!

Flat tire on the way home from work.

 

Purchased 2 new rear tires.

 

Lunch date with hubby!

 

Attended Bible Study on Wednesday.

Attended summer soiree last Friday.

Returned a bunch of stuff to Nordstroms.

 

Followed RWA convention on twitter.

 

Finished up pulling front yard overgrowth.

 

 

"I dream of a world where chickens can cross the road without their motives being questioned."

Week in Review! Mid-Year Goal Re-Cap!

Painted nails and toes but need to do it over again this weekend. Self mani/ pedi never last as long as when the salon does it.
Attended Church on Sunday & Women's Bible Study on Wednesday!
Organized past month's bible study stuff into binder for quicker reference.
Won Camy Tang's Novel Giveaway
Won Dooney & Bourke Denim Cabriolet Travel Overnight bag on Ebay Auction.
Won $20 on California lottery scratcher!
Collected low water garden ideas pictures onto Pinterest.
Pulled 5 bags of  overgrowth from front yard.
Fertilized tomotoes and other veggies in container pots.
Purchased 4 plants for front yard planting.
Visited nursery with hubby for new garden inspiration.
Cleaned kitchen, bathrooms.

Weekend Wish List
Start Sugar/Flour Detox!
Church on Sunday.
Finish cutting back of plant overgrowth in front yard.
Photograph for before and after pictures for blog.
Meet new woman friend at the Summer Soiree this Friday.
Return Stuff to Nordstroms
Cut up Nordstroms Credit Card
Cut up / Cancel Visa Credit Card.

Mid-Year Goal Recap!

Socialize
I have joined the women's bible study at church and have a group of women to pray and study with.
I enjoy it. I have made an effort to go out with people after work when there is an event. Darryl and I have gone to a few events. Not so many lately. I hope to have more opportunity to socialize with people I might meet at churc in the coming months. I joined meetup.com for a minute but decided to cancel. I joined the Outdoor Afro group which seemed to have good activities for families but my family isn't interested in doing anything. So...I just backed out of it to let someone else who was more motivated do it. I will stick with church right now. It is offering me the combination of spiritual support and safe activities. There appear to be a number of women going through similar things or have gone through similar things as I going through...i.e. raising teenagers. We support and pray for each other and I like that.

Save
I haven't saved anything. I have continued to buy nice things for myself to wear to work. I have increased my contributions to my retirement savings.

Study
I did identify some great resource material to study for the California Bar. I began studying than realized I wasn't going to be able to do what I needed to take and pass the July exam. I still have the materials and am planning to devote 10 hours a week for the next year. Might be enough!

I've kind of put off studying my writing craft. I am focusing on creating and improving my front and back landscaping. I don't know much about landscaping or gardening so I am making that the focus of my study for the next few months.

Sightsee
I did manage to get to the Caribbean with Darryl this past February. Other than that I did a weekend trip to Stockton and have another shorter trip to Livermore planned for this fall. My husgand's family reunion is planned for August but it is right her local. I would like to pay down my debt and save some money so travel is not in the picture right now. I cancelled the reservations I had for a condo in Hawaii for Thanksgiving week. Airfare for 5 people was just too high. The kids are in high school and don't seem to like to miss school.

Savor
I have made numerous attempts to improve my diet in the past 7 months. I am planning to begin another detox this weekend. Sigh!

 

 

Goals for the next 5 months July - December 2013.

• Blog weekly to acknowledge my accomplishments and track goals.
• Attend church on a regular basis and nuture relationships outside of my work and home.
• Walk or exercise 3-4 days a week.
• Revamp front yard lawn area with low water plants and landscaping.
• Paint fencing.
• Cut back overgrowth in backyard.
• Update backyard landscaping.
• Paint and repair gazebos and pergolas.

More things I love about home.

Mom's 4th of July decorations. 

 

Flags stuck in the flower pots.

 

Flag covered pillows.

enjoying the heat on the deck

 

 

Socializing with family on the 4th

 

The deck. View from the yard.

 

The big backyard.

 

 

My son playing with his grandpa's dog.

 

 

Week in Review!

Enjoyed BBQ at parents house on 4th of July.

Took kids to the dentist appointment.

Napped one afternoon when off from work.

Worked 3 days.

Bought and read two In Touch tabloids, 1 National  Enquirer, 1 Vanity Fair magazine

Read Love Me If You Must by Nicole Young Free Read on B&N nook

Read sample of In the Land of the Blue Burqas by Kate McCord

Read Love Inspired When Night Falls by Margaret Daley

Signed up for Meetup

Joined a group

Won a copy of Camy Tang's new Love Inspired novel

Signed up for an event coming up in September

Signed up for September Scrapbooking Event

Hair touchup

 

 

Weekend Wishlist

 

Manicure-pedicure

 

Lots of Naps

 Long Nap by Josh Agle- shag.com

http://www.shag.com/MerchantofMenace/LongNap.html

 

 

Attend Church

 

Straightened closet and bedroom

 

Write reviews for books completed.

Outline new novella.