Random Spewings

So...I finally did it! I've been thinking about cutting my hair and "going natural"--removing all the chemicals from my hair--for years! I said I'd do it at 30! Well, at half past 31, I finally did it! And you know what I've discovered?! It wasn't that deep! I mean, yes, I do have to figure out exactly what products work best for my hair texture and the look(s) I'll want to achieve--sidenote, EVERYONE has a suggestion! Wow! I didn't realize I'd get so many unsolicited comments about hair products! Whoo! I do need to figure out how much into the natural, um, "movement" for lack of a better term, I'm willing to go--I'm not getting locks! I do need to figure out how to maintain my hair--it's SO much drier than I ever realized. BUT it's not a spiritual journey. My life is a spiritual journey! I'm ever on a quest to be closer to God and to be just like Jesus. My haircut is not a reflection thereof! I promise! I do admit to ...

So...it's not spring, but I decided that it was time to start cleaning up! I began washing clothes (but that's such an undertaking for me that I'll be talking about that/doing that for weeks to come!) I gave away some of the clothes that I did clean. I washed all the dishes in my house. I swept most of the rooms and even the steps leading to my part of the house. (I live in a duplex-type situation. Working on making the entire house mine!) I took down pictures/decorations/curtains that my aunt left up. I even removed my months-old weave! ;0) I think the burst of energy to clean came from my inward cleaning of sorts! I made some decisions, came to some conclusions and I'm making some changes! One of them is already in effect! I started school last week. In December 2012, I'll have a master's degree! I'm giving myself until my birthday (day before the U.S.' Independence day, but I do accept well-wishes and love for 30 days afterward! I'm TOTALLY seriou...

Happy New Years, everyone! Yes, it I know it is actually "Happy New Year", no 's'. Only one new year approaches at a time. I usually say that to be funny! Just like I say "Happy Valentimes day" and stuff like that. Anyway, on a more serious note, it's 2011. This is the start of a new decade! I realized, a few days ago, that in this decade, I will turn 40! It put so many things into perspective for me! Last night, my pastor (Prophetess Judy Peart of Crown of Glory Ministries--shameless plug!) talked about time and how, basically, it's SHORT and that it's NOT promised to anyone so we need to get MOVING! I can't keep "prepping" to do what God created me to do. I've got to just do it! It's scary but it's just TIME! So, my "resolution" for this year is "do whatever God says to do exactly when He says it and to get CRACKING on the things He already told me to do!" It's a run-on sentence but it's my ...

Dear Lord, When I "grow up" I wanna be like Oprah! I want people to hear "Tonyette" and a certain sound, or see me give a certain look or just see me coming and be so excited that they can't stand themselves because they know I'm gonna be giving "big". That's my prayer for today! In Jesus' mighty name, Amen! (See...I just saw the introduction to the final "Oprah's Favorite Things" episode. People in the audience saw her red dress and heard those bells and knew what it meant. There was hugging, crying, clapping, "shouting" and all kinds of things! It must be nice to be able to give that "big"!)

So, yeah, I'm at the point, AGAIN, where I'm ready for something new!! I have started to move my feet on a few things, though, thank God...so I'm not just idly watching life go by (as much) anymore!! I have started the Bible study for teen girls and young women that I've been talking about for years now! I've got a website and business cards dedicated to my baking business! I'm starting to travel more again! So...things are slowly but surely getting there!! Ooh, my living room furniture will be in tomorrow! That's BIG NEWS! Once I get that all settled, it'll be time to start looking for some DIY projects! Oh and it's fall now, too, so that means deciding on my wardrobe focuses for the next few months! So...there are some new things coming! I'm looking forward to any bit of newness I can grab onto! What are you looking forward to?!

I just got back from Las Vegas, NV and I must say...this was probably my very best vacation ever! I honestly cried when it was time to leave--although I'm sure a few "life ain't been no crystal stair" tears managed to slip in there! We are already throwing around dates for the next trip!! I'm seriously gonna think long and hard about moving there (again!) Did you know that there's no state tax in Nevada?!

I've decided that I am going to start some D.I.Y. projects. I think my recent move has sparked this interest. I'm very excited!! I'd like to either paint or stain a little table for my bedroom. I'd also like to see if I can make some pillows for both my bed and my (currently NOT purchased) love seat. I want to see if I can decorate my house myself. I think I can; I think I can! I'm excited! I'll try to post progress! Whoo hoo!

This particular post was inspired by my awesome, inspiring, beautiful friend Toya ! She has a posting on her blog and I wanted to write, like, a 500-word essay but that's her blog, not mine...so I had to try to keep my comments "short"! Her post got me thinking about being a liturgical dancer, what "ministry" really means and my place in the world! This post may just be a "brain dump" so please follow along as best you can! :-) Well, I should probably start with this: I have been a liturgical dancer for, I think, 8 years now. It all started at my former church when the director of the dance ministry asked if I wanted to join the group! At the time, it was comprised of three formally trained dancers who were svelte and, well, seemed like "dancers". I was, at the time, 250 pounds and, at 22, hadn't danced with any kind of group or "formally" since about 3rd grade. The funny thing, I'd wanted to join them for a few months by t...

Life changes...a lot, sometimes rapidly! It sucks so bad sometimes! God is good and I'm strong, but still, man... I feel like Monica sings, "whatever don't kill you makes you stronger, well I must be the world's strongest woman"!! Monica, girl, I hear that!! The first time I heard that song, I said "I KNOW that's right!" The word says (1 Cor. 10:13) that God will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able...and I feel like "God must trust me tons and tons!" But again, He's good and I'm strong! So there's that! So...we'll see what prayer, faith and time will bring me as I continue to wait on God and His promises! I have no choice but to wait anyway, right?

I haven't written in a few months so I think today I'll post a few things! First of all, I realized that I really like to sing! Certain songs just make me wanna belt out the lyrics at the top of my lungs! Right now, I have "Even Me" by Crystal Aiken on repeat. I want to get up and sing as loud as I possibly can and probably cry and scream afterward! But, because of where I am, it's not feasible! :-( Oh well! I'll lip-sync extra hard, then!

You KNOW you are bored as ALL HECK when you start reading the "Missed Connections" posted on Craigslist for fun! Sheesh, Tonyette...get a life! (There's nothing wedding-related to do/think about right now and I'm trying to avoid work at all costs! None of my friends seem to be in an emailing mood and the Boo hasn't responded to my most recent text, so he must be napping!)

So...today I have 100 days left before I get married! I'm PRETTY PUMPED about that!! Whoo hoo! One of my co-workers suggested that I blog about life after getting married. I think I may do that! Thanks for the idea, Mikey! ;-) Whoo hoo! Let the countdown BEGIN!!

It's official, I AM ENGAGED!!! Whoo hoo hoo!! As of February 8, 2010, I am an engaged woman! The Boo proposed--amidst all the snow!! It was romantic and perfectly us!! So...I'll forever have dates for my birthday and folks can already guess who my +1 is--unless it's a ladies night out or something! I'm so excited!! I had to share!!

So...today is Groundhog's day! Two questions: 1) how do we KNOW if the groundhog saw his shadow? I mean...is it actually that some PERSON sees the groundhog's shadow? 2) Whether or not Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, isn't spring 6 weeks away from February 2 ANYWAY? Just wondering!

So, it's been a few months since I last posted! That was "way" back in 2009!! Happy New Year to everyone! I'm expecting BIG things this year! I'm doing my part to make it a MUCH BETTER year than the last few (most notably, 2009!). I see people changing all around me, for the better, and it's very exciting! I'm going to (once again) try to post more in this year! I'm also going to try to NOT be a pack rat! I've noticed that, although I'm not quite at "hoarder" status, I keep a LOT of useless \stuff! What is UP wit that? Even email! I need to do better! Here's to 2010!!

I should actually be ASHAMED to put this out on the Internet, but I have the most shameful little guilty pleasure. I have "fallen in love" (said in quotes, just in case The Boo reads this and thinks I'm actually serious!) with Zac Efron! LOL! Yes, the lil guy from HSM. I have watched "17 Again" far too many times! I hang my head in shame (as I resist the urge to watch the movie yet again!)

Today I feel like a "real adult"! I got dressed for work, made my lunch--which included NOT a juice box, but a Crystal Light single pack to add to my water!, grabbed my purse and work bag , put on my comfortable shoes, and headed out the door! Before I headed to class (I'm in training for work), I went and grabbed a hot chocolate with creamer--what?! I still don't like coffee like that! I even said out loud "Work bag?! Wow!". I'm 30 and that's crazy to me! That's it!

So...it's been a few months since I've written anything! There is so much newness in my life that it's a little crazy!! I attend a new church--have been for about 6 or so months! I think I already posted about that! I am now THIRTY!! WHOO HOO !! I have a new boyfriend!! (Well, he's an old friend and he's not so "new" anymore, but...for the purposes of this posting, he is!) WHOO HOO HOO! I'm about to have a new position at work--hopefully!! Life is good...despite IT ALL! I'm thankful to God that He has sustained me in the midst of various maddening situations! I'm sure that I'll have plenty to post about in the upcoming days, weeks and months!! Stay tuned!!

I promise that I've seen the movie about 50 times--I own the DVD, so it's not too ridiculous a notion that I've seen it that many times! I love the movie--and the book, too, actually! The movie is part of the reason that I'm "into" fashion now! I snickered as I wrote "into" because I'm not into it like that. I'm more of an undercover fashion lover. I'm on the fashion down low! LOL! Anyway, I love Meryl Streep's look in the movie. She was HOT the entire time! My favorite outfit is when she's wearing the black pantsuit with the white shirt and red belt & necklace. Hmm...summer is approaching. I need to figure out what my "summer look" will be!

So, I haven't blogged in a minute!! I don't think there is anything too new going on with me! I'm still on the countdown to my 30th birthday!! Yippee!! I can't wait to celebrate!! Also, in 2 years, I've lost almost 45lbs. Wow...that's unbelievable! It seems like I talk about weight loss a lot now...especially considering I wasn't interested in it at all! But I'm proud!! What else? I'll probably be going back to school in the near future...to teach special ed! And I still want to finish my culinary arts degree...so I've got some school in my future! Um, yay?! I need to get back on my modeling grind! I had lost my mojo for a minute, but it's back!! So...with spring here and summer not too far behind, I'm going to actively be looking for some opportunities! I have realized that I don't to hide my gifts and/or talents anymore!! So...I'm going to be very busy--as usual--in the next few, well, rest of my life!! :0) PS That reminds me......