Monthly Archives: November 2007

Color of Winter

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“The Color of Winter”

There are certain colors that are more popular than others during the winter season.  You see more people wearing blacks, grays and neutral colors.  However, there is one color seen on black folks more frequently during the winter months.  This color is ASH (also known as ashy)! It shows up everywhere – on your knees, legs, elbows and hands.  It gets really bad in the crevasses of your fingers or on your ankles.  Some of us even get ashy lips.

But, there is a solution!  Ash does not have to be your predominant color of the season.  There is a great product called lotion that can turn ashy into classy.  But, buyers beware! You can’t just go out and buy any type of lotion.  Dollar store lotion won’t do the trick.  When you slap that cheap liquid on your hands, by the time you walk to the car, it’s already disappeared into thin air and the ash is back.  If lotion isn’t your thing, there’s also vaseline, oils and who can forget the infamous cocoa butter!

Now don’t think I’m high and mighty.  I have been “Queen Ashy” for several seasons running.  I thought nobody could see my legs under my pants so I’d be fine to go out lotionless.  It wasn’t until I crossed one leg over another and my ash peeked out.  A friend wet his finger and wrote his initials on my leg.  Not a good sign.  So this holiday season I am leading the “Ash-free” revolution!  People let’s protect our skin, get the products that last, and show that black (not ashy-gray) is sexy year round!

M.Y.  November 2007

Happy Thanksgiving 2007

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“Happy Thanksgiving”

We all have things in life that we wish we could change.  If only we had (blank) then life would be so much easier.  Sometimes it is easier to complain and it often takes a lot less thought.  However, this week is about Thanksgiving and giving thanks.  I don’t care how horrible your life may seem, there are many blessings surrounding you.  The fact that you made it to enjoy another Thanksgiving is a blessing. What about the simple fact that you have two eyes and ten fingers to be able to read and scan through the newsletter?  Not everyone does.

The holidays can be a time of pain.  Many of us have lost loved ones over the years and this time of year is just not the same.  While I share that pain, I also find joy in the world around me. My past holiday traditions will never exist again.  However, I look forward to one day starting new ones. Sometimes you just have to be patient.

It’s interesting to me that the day after we give thanks for all of our blessings is called “Black Friday”.  It’s sometimes the day we act our worse.  You find people pushing through lines, stealing parking spots, cursing at the cashier and/or maxing out credit cards.  Thanksgiving needs to last more than one day.  We have to do better.  So while you’re out this weekend, remember to give back and appreciate the simple things around you!

M.Y.  November 2007

What’s Your Story?

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“What’s Your Story?”

One of my best friends is known to ask people the above quote.  If you think about it, each of us has a story.  While on my trip, I was intrigued at the lives of the people I met.  First there was Mimi who I met on the van shuttle to the resort.  She’s a red haired painter from Chicago.  She has 10 weeks of timeshares at the Grand Mayan and has been going there for the past 12 years.  She’s loud, proud and knows everyone there.  She and her sister come for the first 4 weeks and the husbands are ‘allowed’ to join them for the rest.  I learned so much about the resort and town in that short ride.

I then met someone I’ll call “Stella”.  Our tables were next to each other for lunch.  She’s a fly sista who is going to permanently move to Puerta Vallarta when she retires next year.  She told me about her male friend that she met there in March who’d been helping her out since her most recent visit.  Then after we bonded while listening to the Toni Braxton CD in the background she felt she could share her secret.  The night before she went out with her friend’s friend to the club and somehow or another they ended up sleeping together.  Stella got her groove back – although now she regrets it.

Lastly, there was Tammy.  She and her husband waited next to me for the shuttle to the canopy tour.  Also with them were her father and his wife.  She didn’t grow up around him because her parents divorced when she was four.  His new wife (her stepmother) was only six months older than Tammy.  It was their first father/daughter vacation together.  After an hour drive to the site, Tammy felt I was now a part of their family and became a sister.  The sexy Mexican guides would tell me where my ‘family’ was when we got separated.

You never know when you’ll cross paths again with someone.  “Stella” and I exchanged numbers and she called the next day to see if we could get together.  (I told her I wanted an update).  Mimi was always nearby at the resort and continued to give great advice through the trip.  Tammy and I have emailed each other since returning to the states.  Life isn’t only about what you do, but it’s also about the impression you leave with others.  The next time you’re in an elevator or just standing next to someone, take the time to say HELLO.  You never know what their story might be or how they could affect your life!

M.Y.  November 2007

Making a Difference One Child at a Time

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“Making a Difference, One Child at a Time”

Two youth grow up in the same neighborhood. One becomes successful and the other gets trapped in the temptations that exist.  What was the one difference that separated the two: A STRONG MENTOR!

I recently signed up again to be a ‘Big’ in the Big Brother/Big Sister program.  My ‘Little’ is a beautiful seven-year-old girl and her mother wants her to be around positive influences.  We’ve done a lot of fun things together, including going to the zoo for the World’s Largest Halloween Party (the above pic comes from there with my buddy Willy Wonka – hey, why am I the same height as the oompa loopma?). While we are just starting to get to the point where she will open up and talk to me about things going on in her life, I see the excitement each time I pull up to her door and see her looking out the window anxiously waiting for me to arrive.

I know I am one person that will make a difference to this child.  However, there are other youth in need.  The Big Brother/Big Sister program is in great need for more adult mentors, especially males.  Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is very fun and very easy!

There are several programs that you can pick from. Depending on the Big Brothers Big Sisters program you’re in, you will either meet your Little at his or her school or in the community. See program descriptions below:  Community Program:· Focus on friendship · Visit with your Little 2-3 times per month  · Six month minimum time commitment  · Participate in fun, inexpensive activities OR simply spend time talking and listening to each other  · You can be flexible with the times you set to see your Little  · Be at least 18 years old  · Must have access to transportation or Have own transportation and valid car insurance   School / Site Program: · Work on homework, play games or just talk · Visit with your Little one hour per week · Six months minimum time commitment  · Visit the child on school grounds only  · High school students and adults accepted as volunteers   Sports Buddies Program · Focus on healthy lifestyle activities and FUN  · Visit with your Little two times per month · Six months minimum time commitment  · You can be flexible with the times you set to see your Little  · Must be at least 18 years old  · Must have access to transportation or have own transportation and valid car insurance Couples and families are welcome to volunteer together.  Click here to volunteer or call 502-587-0497. (tell them Michelle Yeager referred you!)

M.Y.  November 2007