March 24, 2016

Solitude and Nature


Solitude and Nature


Today was a beautiful day in Raleigh and I decided I would go for a little hike and maybe read a new book. Around lunch time, I headed to the local nature preserve to get a little fresh air. As I pulled into the parking lot I noticed that it was virtually empty. I walked down one of the trails to the lake where I found the perfect spot to sit and read.







It was a very quiet day. Not many people in the park. The birds were chirping, the wind was blowing and it smelled of spring.















After a little while of reading, I decided to start hiking (or in my case wander) around the lake.  I started on the trail but I wondered off and into the woods. (Anyone that knows me knows that I make my own path) As I'm walking, I notice all the hustle and bustle around me. The birds were hopping in front of me as though they were leading me, the butterflies were fluttering about and the turtles were on a log in the lake catching some rays.












At that moment, all of my worries were gone. I was entranced by the beauty of my surroundings. Nature has always been an outlet for me. It doesn't matter how hectic life can get, I have always been able to relax in nature. Being alone in nature is the best way for me to recharge and release all the stresses of daily life. Solitude and nature is truly the best therapy.











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August 7, 2015

Slut Mode.....




Slut Mode by RC Berry




My good friend RC Berry recently wrote a post that hits close to home. The post is called Slut Mode. Now before you get all upset, you should check out the excerpt below.

I do not use the word slut to describe any person, or group of people. For the purposes of this post, Slut, and all of its variations are used to describe a state of being, a state of mind and body (mostly body).

So you see, the word slut doesn't have to be used as in a derogatory manner. Now that everyone has calmed down we can continue :)

RC Berry is my best friend and we have no filter. We can literally talk about ANYTHING. One day our conversation started with me sending her this picture..


She knew EXACTLY what it meant. For those of you that don't under stand, check out this excerpt from her blog post.


You ever wake up in the morning, crack your one eye open and look at your alarm clock? You notice it’s time to get up, so you roll over, and the sheet slowly slides across your body in an unexpected caress? You brush it off, beginning your morning with a stretch. As you extend your arms, you can’t help but notice the arch of your own back, the prominence of your breasts, and the gruff, throaty quality to your waking-up groan. Out of nowhere, you run your fingers through your own hair, grabbing a fistful in the process.

That is just the tip of the ice berg. Slut mode is something we have ALL felt at one time or another (or all the time). We just put a name to it. To fully understand what we are talking about you should read her full post. Once you understand, you will see that slut mode is completely natural :)

RC Berry's full post: Slut Mode


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April 25, 2015

Morrocco Method Henna for Hair Review


Morrocco Method Henna for Hair Review


For the last seven years I've been dying my hair black but decided that it was time for a change. After looking into different colors and options, I decided to go with henna. Henna is a natural way to color your hair. Many places sell different colors of henna hair dye but natural henna only comes in red. The other colors are mixed with indigo or either chemicals. Natural henna is just that...all natural. It uses no chemicals and is plant based.  It won't damage your hair in any way. After looking at all the different brands, I decided to go with Morrocco Method. The Morrocco Method henna takes longer to process than some of the other brands but it guarantees to be all natural.

The henna came in a nice foil package and the instructions were sent via pdf.



March 4, 2015

R.C. Berry's Set in Stone Gala



R.C. Berry is a personal friend and an amazing writer. A little over a year ago she came to me with the idea of having a gala to introduce her trilogy to the world. She had already finished the first two books in the series and was working on the last one. And knowing Mrs. Berry, I knew that this would be no ordinary gala. She wanted it to be an introduction to her books...with a cast and skits. She asked if I would be Medusa the fallen. Of course I said yes and the planning began. Mrs. Berry had a vision and she set it into motion. She found a grand venue and the perfect cast. The gala would include dance and musical performances, readings by the author herself, and a cast of characters from her books.

After months of planning, the day was finally here! The Muses had their dances down pat, I was getting transformed into Medusa, and Mrs. Berry was running around like a chicken with her head cut off lol. Of course there were a few little setbacks and we had to improvise but we ROCKED the show! It was a success!

If you didn't make it to the show you missed an AMAZING performance! Check out the video below!












To learn more about the Set in Stone series you can visit R.C. Berry's website at www.rcberry.com









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October 3, 2014

Lastics Stretching Workout Review



Lastics is a full body stretching workout. It is not yoga but an hour of dancer's stretches. This workout was designed by former dancer Donna Flagg. Below is an exert taken from the website (lastics.com)...

Lastics is a stretching technique born directly from the world of dance that was designed to give people of all ages, body types and fitness levels a way to improve their flexibility based on techniques dancers use to stay lean and limber. The technique teaches you how to articulate your body in ways that elongate your muscles. This is what makes Lastics so different, and it is a difference you will feel immediately. 
Unlike methods that rely on external force to push a stretch, Lastics trains your body to move internally to stretch itself. This is how dancers move and it is also the key to their flexibility.They move from the inside first. And now you can too! Not only will it change the way you think about, and understand, your body, but you will also increase your flexibility and improve body awareness through a special mind/muscle connection.

Now that you know what Lastics is let me tell you about my experience with it.

At the beginning of the DVD, Donna explains the correct way to stretch. I found this very helpful and also found out that I have been doing it wrong for years. After the introduction, it moves into the first stretching workout. The workouts are in a dance studio with music playing in the background. Nothing exciting but who expects a stretching workout to be exciting. This DVD is divided into four workouts. If you do all of them together it will be a little over an hour of stretching. The DVD does not come with a menu but you can skip to the next section so I didn't find that to be a problem.

Now about the workout itself. The first time I did it I felt like I was going to die LOL! I mean, who knew that a stretching workout could be so hard! My muscles would start shaking and I would have to cut some of the stretches short because I couldn't hold it. Needless to say, this workout really is a workout. The whole time, Donna is stressing the correct form and the correct way to stretch. I was so glad she did because I would have forgotten as soon as we got into the first workout. After doing the workouts a few times, I could definitely tell a difference. I try to do at least two of the workouts 3-4 times a week. I haven't made it to the splits yet but maybe one day :)

Overall, I would recommend this workout to someone who needs to stretch or wants to learn the correct way to stretch. I also think this would be great for someone that lifts as their muscles can get tight.

If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can find more information and purchase the DVD at the link below

Lastics by Donna Flagg


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March 15, 2014

What makes me happy...




Waking up to the sound of waves crashing 




Yoga on the beach at sunrise




Enjoying a cup of French Vanilla Dunkin Donuts coffee without interruptions





Not worrying about what bills need to be paid or how I'm going to pay them 





Not having to deal with the drama that others try to put on you




Being behind the wheel of a Corvette Stingray




Curling up with a good book




Bring around people that are just as weird as me








These are just a few things that make me happy. What makes you happy??





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December 12, 2013

Letting Go and Burning Bridges




In my post Finding My Inner Peace, I spoke of my struggle and how I am healing and learning how to be happy. This post is an update to that one...


As I stated in Finding My Inner Peace, I "cleaned house" and cut some toxic people from my life. During this process I analyzed everyone in my life. During my research I discovered an article on Narcissistic Mothers and it described my childhood completely... I grew up with an Narcissistic "Engulfing Mother"! All of a sudden everything made sense!! There was a reason I made the bad choices I did. There was a reason I ended up in an abusive relationship with a man with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. 

Now that I know what the root of my issues is, I needed to change it. The cycle is stopping with me...it will not continue! I needed to learn how to change myself so that this viscous cycle stopped. In order to change and grow I had to come to terms with what I had discovered. At first I tried to talk to her about it but every conversation ended up with her either blaming me for everything or trying to make me feel guilty. After trying this for a few months I knew it was time to let go. I had to let go of the pain, the anger, the things that were said to/about me....I just had to let go of everything...including my mother. So in September I completely cut my mother out of my life. Of course she is blaming others for this decision but the decision was all mine. She will never take responsibility for anything. It will always be someone else's fault and therefore I can not continue to deal with it. This has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. I would love to have a mother that was understanding...one that accepted me for me but that just isn't my reality and I will no longer put myself in a toxic situation. 

After I cut her out of my life she did the unthinkable...she contacted my abuser. She sided with the man that physically, mentally, and emotionally abused me. When I discovered this, I knew there was no going back. There is no way that this relationship can ever be reconciled. The fact that she couldn't come see me when he beat the shit out of me but decided to become friends with him now spoke VOLUMES about her! There in NOTHING that she could ever say or do that will undo this. Actions speak louder than words and her actions said it all. 

I have gone through a lot of emotions the last few months. At times I'm sad...sad that I don't have a mother that I can talk to. Then at other times I'm angry...angry because of the things I went through as a child...angry because I didn't learn about this before now...and just plain angry. And right when I seem to be at peace a package shows up on my door step or I get an email (I blocked her on my phone so she can not contact me). I send the packages back and delete the emails. I just can not do it anymore. I can not put myself or my daughters in this toxic situation. 

This has been very hard but I know I will get through it. I know that I will be a better and a stronger person for this. I also know that I will be a better mother because of it. I know that I will make sure that I do not repeat my mother's actions with my children.

The healing process that I have been going through for a while has been very trying and very painful but I refuse to give up. I know that one day I will find my inner peace. I will be to the point where no one can steal my happiness. Until then, I'll just take it one day at a time and remember to just breathe


For more information on Narcissistic Personality Disorder visit these sites:

Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers
Light, Life, Love, & Laughter After NPD Abuse
Respite from Sociopathic Behavior
Story of a Sociopath 




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October 30, 2013

Why I Love Being Single...


1. I can do what I want, when I want without having to justify or explain anything












2. I can focus on my goals and dreams without any distractions


















3. There is no one in my personal space



















4. I don't have to shave



















5. No commitments to anyone















6. I can party it up with my girls whenever I want to...werk, werk, werk, werk :)
















7. I get the WHOLE bed to myself















8. Things are less complicated when you are single

















9. I can do things that are socially unacceptable and there is no one there to judge


















10. I don't have to worry about texts like these...

























11. I don't have to listen to anyone's bulls**t















When people ask if I get lonely this is how I respond....













And here's my advice to the newly single....














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October 21, 2013

Best Horror Movie Monsters...



Below you will find few of the best and scariest (in my opinion) horror movie monsters...



Pinhead

Movie: Hellraiser




Freddy Krueger

Movie: Nightmare on Elm Street




Worms

Movie: Deep Rising




The Crawlers

Movie: The Descent




Fly

Movie: The Fly




The Pale Man

Movie: Pan's Labyrinth



The Thing

Movie: John Carpenter's The Thing



The Xenomorph

Movie: Alien





I'm sure there are plenty more that could be added to the list but I have thoroughly creeped myself out with these and need to go watch Family Guy lol


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