Mrs. P. A. Moore: July 2013

Monday, July 29, 2013

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.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

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."

Thursday, July 11, 2013

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.