Author Archives: yeagerturner

I Can’t Stand the Rain

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I Can’t Stand the Rain

Dec10-1If I had to think of a theme song to describe part of my life, The Rain (Super Dupa Fly) by Missy Elliott would be it.  Well, let me change that!  I just googled the lyrics to that song and it in no way describe me.  She must have been smokin’ some good stuff when she wrote those verses.

Anyway, my name is Michelle Yeager and I hate the rain. Not only do I hate the rain, but I am scared of the rain.  Nothing ever traumatic happened in my life.  I wasn’t left out in the rain as a child and forced to walk home.  I was never so poor that all I had to drink was rain water.  Plain and simple – rain and I just aren’t friends.

You know when it’s raining outside and you see someone driving 45 mph on the expressway?  That’s me.  I drive with pride in the slow lane.   I have both hands on the steering wheel, my seat pulled up close and I have no problem with all of the cars that pass me.  I will take my merry little time to get to my destination and my simple excuse was “it was raining”.

The other tiff I have with rain is just being outside in the rain in general.   I don’t know of any healthy minerals that rain provides for your hair.  No, in all actuality, it does just the opposite.   The humidity of the rain can make a fly new hair style disappear.   Those two raindrops on your hair can make that one section look completely different than the rest of your ‘do.   It’s just not right!

Now, I did have to temporarily make amends with rain this summer.  As a homeowner, I saw how thirsty my grass became.  As it slowly turned from green to olive brown, I knew the only solution was a good rain.  I had to do a temporary rain dance for drops to fall from the sky.  I prayed to the rain gods for rain (but only once I was safe in my house).    I can’t say those rain prayers were answered, but I did give it a try.

Some people dislike clowns, others dislike snake.  Me – I dislike rain.  I don’t know if I’ll ever get over my fear of rain or if I have just internalized it as a part of my life.  Regardless, I know that it is something that will always be a part of my life.  Love it or hate it, rain is here to stay.  This can apply to many things in our lives.  There are some things you can’t control and you have to learn to best deal with it.   Whether it’s buying an umbrella or just staying home, there are ways to cope.  If you’re in a situation now that you have no control over, what adjustments are you making to continue on with your life?

M.Y. December 2010

Thank Granted

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Thank Granted

Nov10-4First things first – HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!  Thanksgiving is the perfect time to surround yourself with family and friends and to give thanks for all of the blessings that you have received.  It’s always easy to give thanks for the new house that we’ve purchased.  It’s a given to praise our new relationship, engagement ring or sacred wedding vows.  Oh, and don’t forget the celebrations of a new born child or a full-time job.

However, Thanksgiving is not a happy time for all people.  Just ask the person whose parent just passed away.  Speak to the person who was told their cancer has come back.  What about the person that has been without a job for over a year and just wishes someone/anyone would give him/her a chance?

During Thanksgiving we always seem to focus on celebrating the BIG things in our lives. But when do we take the time to celebrate those small (yet equally important) things that we so often take for granted?  This holiday season, try to leave some time to remember and give thanks to the valuable lessons you have learned.  Maybe you feel fortunate for the sweet potato casserole recipe you grandmother taught you how to make.  Perhaps it’s the fact that your next door neighbor always says hello in the morning as you head to work. Or what about your favorite artist or author coming out with a new CD or book?   How about being thankful that you have two hours every Sunday afternoon to do nothing but relax?!

Regardless of your situation, just know that there are blessings all around you.  If you can walk, see and speak – you’re more fortunate than someone else.  If you have at least one friend that truly cares, you’re doing well.  If there is some type of food on your table, your meal is a success.  We all have times of trials and times of tribulations.  If you’re currently at a low in your life, make sure you still celebrate the successes of those around you.  Because, when your story changes and things start working out for the better, you’ll want those same people to be cheering for you.  You are important. You are wonderful.  You are valued.  Thank you for being a part of the OnyxLouisville community.  I appreciate you!

M.Y. November 2010

The Other M.Y.

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The Other M.Y.

Nov10-3When I first started my fitness competitions in March 1998 I didn’t know anyone.  Sometimes I would walk up to a group of competitors and ask them if I could hang out with them so I’d know where to go.  I never had anyone in the audience supporting me.  It was just me, the stage and bringing my best package.  When you talk about doing something for yourself – those competitions were all about me.

After my third competition that April I realized that there was this one woman that had been to every competition I had.  We always competed in the same group and she always had a loud group of people cheering for her.  From that point on, I started taking advantage of her crowd.  Her name was Michelle.  Every time we were on stage and I heard “Let’s go Michelle”, I’d imagine that they were cheering for me!

During that competition I finally talked with Michelle backstage.  Not only was her first name Michelle, but her last name was Yatsuk.  I blushed when I told her my secret about her friends in the stands.  Instead of getting mad and walking away, she did something else.

Michelle and I kept in touch for several months.  Although I placed ahead of her in each of those competitions, she always encouraged me and was excited for my wins.  At our next competition in October in Cincy, she let me stay at her house.  Before we went on stage, she told me that she told her friends to cheer for me too!  I finally had some fans of my own.  That was the start of my friendship with Michelle and we always refer to each other as “the other M.Y.”

Two years pass and I’m in the audience at KY Muscle this past weekend here in Louisville.  It was great to see all of my friends compete.  However, the highlight of the competition was seeing Michelle onstage competing.  I sat anxious in the third row.  For once I was able to to yell “Let’s go Michelle!”, “You got this Michelle!” and “Lookin’ good Michelle!”   Michelle ended up winning her group and looked amazing!  I am a better competitor because of Michelle and was proud to return the love and support she has given me over the years.  Not all competitions are about winning, sometimes it’s about helping to celebrate someone else’s success!

M.Y. November 2010

Black Girls Rock

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Black Girls Rock

Nov10-2I don’t watch BET on a regular basis but one of their shows this weekend caught my attention.  It was entitled Black Girls Rock and its primary focus was to highlight the amazing accomplishments of black women of all ages.  Instead of focusing on how many records someone has sold or their number of times on the cover of Ebony magazine, Black Girls Rock highlighted on the core of what made each person beautiful.  Whether it was sticking to your morals, strong beliefs in family or being a voice when nobody else would listen, each woman had a story and deserved to be celebrated.

This made me think about the women in the Louisville community.  So many of us “rock” in our own right yet often aren’t the ones given the praise.  If I were to give out awards locally to women who “rock”, I’d include people like LaShawnda Styles.  She is an amazing single mother of a very active teenage daughter.  Her daughter is a talented cheerleader at Male High and is often running from one practice to another.  In addition, Shawnda is also in school full-time.  I am amazed at how she keeps moving and moving and moving.  Not only is she improving her own life, but she also serves as a wonderful role model for her daughter.

Then there are people like Jessica Green.  Jessica is both a graduate of Spelman and UK Law School.  That is an accomplishment in its own right, but the reason I would tell her she “rocks” is because of what she does on the home front.  Many people know her mother, Dr. Judy Green.  Dr. Green’s life has been dedicated to adopting children. It seems like a natural instinct for her.  But, Jessica (who I believe is younger than 30) has now adopted kids (plural) of her own.   While so many other people her age are worried about the latest sale at the mall or who said what on Facebook, Jessica is committing her life to creating a caring and loving home environment to our youth in need.

Who else would “rock”?  Diva Deborah Williams.  Watching Deborah in action over the years I can tell that she has accomplished a lot in her  banking career.  But the thing that I truly admire about her is her dedication to the Louisville community.  It seems like regardless of what community circle I am in, everyone seems to know her name.  She has left a piece of her magical touch in many places and each of those places is in a better position because of her.

And I could go on and on and on.  We each need to realize that “WE ROCK”.  It’s not always about your job title or your picture perfect smile.  Sometimes it’s just about being the best you can be and lifting as you climb.  On the show Ruby Dee received the Living Legend Award and she summarized it best.  She said the word “legend” begins with the word “leg” and that if we are lucky enough, we become the legs of the next generation.  So just in case you didn’t know “YOU ROCK” (and don’t let anyone tell you any different)!

M.Y. November 2010

The Big O

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The Big O

Nov10-1It’s one of the things that I wanted to accomplish in the next nine months.  I tried several times, sometimes daily, but it never happened.  Well, it did actually happen seven years.  I knew I wasn’t the only person trying (unsuccessfully) to do the big O, but I kept thinking positive and never gave up.

Sitting in my spam email last Monday was an interesting address.  Here’s what it said: “We received your email regarding the B taping on Thursday, Oct. 28th and we have some limited availability for this show!  If there are still seats available when we receive your email, you will be sent a confirmation sheet with all the details about attending this show. Please understand, you are NOT confirmed until you receive this confirmation email from us.”  I re-read the email a couple more times before realizing that I was finally able to snag tickets – to the final season of the Oprah Winfrey Show!

Milton and I talked about whether we could get off work just three days later and said going to the Oprah Show was a once in a lifetime opportunity.  So, I made the drive to Indy and then we made the drive to Chicago together.  Since we received last minute tickets, we had no idea what the subject would be.  We arrived early and stood in line with others.  A group of giddy women said the following things, “I can’t believe we get to see him!”, “I’ve been to all of his concerts!” and “He is so cute!” They never said a name so we became very curious as to who it was.

So, I asked.  They looked at me and said, “You don’t know?!  OMG – It’s RICKY MARTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”  My response was neutral, but Milton’s face was full of anger.  For the next 20 minutes he felt like he had been punked.  As we watched the line grow, we realized Milton was one of only about 3 straight men in the audience.  I told him it was better than the Sound of Music reunion. He agreed, realized it was really about attending the Oprah Show and put on another smiling face.

Once we got through the TIGHT security (no cell phones, cameras, paper or pens) and sat in the waiting area everyone become more excited.  Once in the studio it all became real.  Because Ricky was performing a concert, they hyped up the audience and had us all dancing in our seats.  Ricky Martin gave a heart felt interview about telling the world he was gay and he and Joss Stone performed their new song “I Am Me Because of You”.  We walked out of the theater with a sense of accomplishment.  Milton apologized for his brief saltiness.  We experienced something that many people only dream of being able to do.  We were “livin la vida loca”!

M.Y. November 2010

Just The Right Spot

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Just the Right Spot

Oct10-4Our first date was on Valentine’s Day.  It started out just relaxing at my place with both of us dressed in sweats.  Once the evening came, we changed clothes to get ready for our night.  I threw on a cute dress and some makeup and walked down to the basement to see if he was ready.  Milton’s face lit up, our eyes locked and we shared our first kiss.  The rest of the evening consisted of dinner and a Frankie Beverly and Maze concert.  It was a Valentine’s Day that I will never forget.

Spring forward a couple of months.  Milton calls at 1:30 in the morning.  I am already asleep.  I call him once I wake up and asked what is wrong.  He says he needs to tell me something, but that he prefers to email it.  I get nervous and think about all the negative things that he could tell me.  As I opened the email, here is what I read, “I love you! I love you so much! I knew this since the first moment you stepped downstairs into your basement and we met eyes and kissed. I haven’t felt something so right before since I had shoes that fit. I have bottled my feelings up out of fear that I was moving too fast but now I’m going to let my heart take over for my fear.  I need you! I knew this since our first conversation and you made me feel not only wanted, appreciated, and loved, but you make me feel like a king that you want to shine. I told you from the beginning that I could not promise the world overnight, and it may be scary that we both don’t know how the next few months or years of our lives might play out, but I know that the world is a lot less scarier place with you in it. The Lord never promised that life would be easy, in fact he promised that the road to glory would be hard; however, he always promised to be by our side in good and bad.  I want to build a love with you that is unconditional and is strong no matter the weather”

And that was the beginning of our relationship.  Milton helped comfort me through my low points (like not becoming a professional fitness competitor) and I tried to be equally supportive in his life (like studying for the Bar).  I started working in the fitness industry and continue to build OnyxLouisville.  He passed the Bar, was sworn in as a lawyer and already has a job.  It seemed like regardless of what was happening in each of our lives, being there for each other was the overall constant that never disappeared.

Friday, October 22, 2010 was a regular day for me.  Milton drove to Louisville and we went to the Bill Bellamy show at the Improv.  We came back to my house and I took some of my clothes upstairs. As I walked back to the first floor, Milton was nowhere to be found.  I called his name and he asked me to come in the basement.  As I arrived on the bottom step, Milton stood in the same spot we had our first kiss.  As he got on one knee, he talked about the difference I have made in his life and the future he wants us to have together. He asked me to marry him – OF COURSE I said yes…….

M.Y. October 2010