Life is to be lived with purpose. Fulfillment of that purpose requires strategy. The strategy I'm using is an Art. The Art of War.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Mommy Life

I'm thoroughly enjoying the mommy life. It has to be one of the best roles ever invented.

Yesterday TR and I took a trip to our banks. I considered putting her in her stroller and taking a nice walk but decided to drive so I could get home and have lunch.

As I got dressed and did my hair, I noticed her watching me. She usually lays on the bed as I get myself ready. I remember being a kid and lying on the bed watching my grandmother get dressed on Sunday mornings. My mother would be dressed or at least in her slip by the time we awoke, so I don't really remember her getting ready.

After I got dressed I put TR's clothes on. She wore her pink sweats, a white shirt with a ruffled collar and a green jacket. It got warm during our outing so she removed the jacket. Dressing her is pretty fun because she laughs, smiles and moves as we dress her. My brother was dressing her last week and he was laughing because she is so interactive.

Since she can hold her head I'm able to carry her around pretty easily, so we walked around the village to do our errands. We got home and hung out.

I enjoy her so much. What's also amazing is my new waking hours. I'm up and alert by 6 a.m most mornings, waiting for her to wake up. She sleeps well through- most nights but I'm still up waiting. If I get her when she starts moving around and holding her head up, she'll ususlly start out with a smile. She tries to give us time to get to her before she starts yelling.

She is up from her nap, streching, smiling, and surveying her environment. It's just great to watch her wake up. Babies grow, change and learn so fast and I'm enjoying this journey.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Pants on Fire

Liar, Liar.

I've concluded that some liars aren't actually lying to me, they are deluding themselves. They are interpreting reality in a way they need to deal with their set of facts. Their experiences might give us a different view on the same facts.

Two people can see the same picture and intrepret its meaning in totally different ways. Those two ways might be different from what the artist intended. I try to remind myself of this when I am told one thing but the facts would lead me to my own and different conclusion.

I'm sure there are things I say that might lead folks to think I exist in a different reality. Perception is reality. I watch the campaign and various commentary of it and often think republicans can't be real. They can't really think Palin is competent to be president. They have to think something is wrong with McCain for choosing her.

I do think waiting for the president to die is a great job for a mother with young kids. That's probably the best gig imaginable for a work from home mom.

By the by, TR's home state is neighbor to Mexico. In fact she could see Mexico and walk to it, if she were in San Diego. She is female. She is qualified to be V.P. nominee on the Republican ticket.

The next time I'm shaking my head exasperated about liars, yearning to call them out, I shall remember that perception is nine-tenths of reality.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Stay in Your Lane

I'd love to tell someone to stay in their lane but I'm not experiencing any conflicts. I'm a servant of God, wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, friend, business owner, thinker, nearly full time viewer of MSNBC election coverage and don't have the time to give to enemies or unfriendlies. Maybe someome will provide me with a brief opportunity to throw on my sassy coat, tilt my head and say, "stay in your lane." LOL. I can sooo see myself doing that.

I'm cheesing the cheesiest grin because I think Dawn and Q of making the Band are adorable. Ain't love grand? Isn't romance amazing? I AM a sucker for love.

Mr A made and gave me coupons for my birthday last year. The coupons included things like belly rubs (I was preggers and addicted to my belly rubs), breakfast in bed, various massage, instant forgiveness, romantic picnic, all day church event, etc. He basically made a book of things he knows I enjoy. Recently I had to turn in one of my instant forgiveness coupons. As soon as I handed it to him he laughed and smiled. I thought that was uber romantic, especially since I think no one should be mad at me for more than 5 minutes. I have one instant forgiveness left.

For the material centered folks, he also gave me other gifts. I was out of town that morning and when he picked me up at the airport he had the first gift sitting in the front seat with the coupons. At home was more gifts laid across our bed. I'll take a gift but the thought he put into it was the grandest part for me.

My sweetums still evokes that unexplainable thing in me. That thing that makes me know fairytale love is real, makes me acutely feel the strength of it emanating from the core of my body, not just my mind. I always knew it was real and would have been thoroughly single before I accepted anything other than my fairytale.

So often I thank God. When Mr A and I sit down to dinner and TR is sitting in her swing making her little baby noises I feel even more like we've been blessed with the (my) fairytale.

Anyway as I was watching Dawn and Q, my heart was smiling and I was smiling because I enjoy the love that is apparent in others. I appreciate that quiet love.

I did wonder why they let the camera men in. There have been many ocassions when I get lost in Mr A and tune everyone and everything out, but I don't know how that could happen if I walked in a room full of cameras.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to convey a message that fairytale love has some magical potion. Fairytale love is just part of our foundation.

In other things TR and I were in the airport and a woman stopped and asked her if that was her first flight. I laughed and told her it was more like her 5th or 6th. TR is a frequent traveller. I hate flying but she seems to love it.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Coupons

Today I used a coupon and yesterday I used a few coupons. I'm getting pretty good at the use of coupons. I enjoy seeing those savings on my reciept. The key for me is leaving the coupons in the car. Mr A and I are gaining mastery of the art of grocery shopping. Our schedule has fallen in sync with the recurring grocery sales.

I prefer Pavillons which is Safeway in the Bay Area. It's visually pleasing with nice warm colors. I also like Gelson's becaust its warm and doesn't feel at all like a grocery store. I rarely go to Gelson's. I'll go to Ralph's but I notice its usually crowded and has longer lines. I adore Trader Joe's and have never really shopped Whole Foods. I like to get local produce so I love Farmers Markets.

What I really love, although I'm too lazy to do it often, is the Santa Monica Farmer's Market. Imagine warm mornings, a beach breeze, calm air, blue skies, the ocean in eyes view and picking out farm fresh fruits and veggies. It feels almost unreal.

The A family is planning to do yoga Tuesday afternoon. TR seemed to enjoy herself and I think its important she get the stimulation and exercise. Yoga actually makes me want to take a nap, but its supposed to help a person stay youthful. I also like Bikram yoga, so maybe I'll hit one of those classes up too.

This has been so random.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Mommy & Baby (and daddy too)

The A family attended yoga today. I had the most fun during the baby yoga time. TR got wore out and though she struggled to remain awake she fell asleep a few moments after class ended.



The babies did streching exercises and this is the dance/rejoice time.
Mr A and TR have been doing this dance, I call it the 'flying carpet' at home. Her balance and his ability to keep her balanced are well-synced. Don't try this at home kids!

One of the actresses from Whi.te Chicks was in our class. I kept looking at her trying to figure out why she looked familiar. Her baby was 5 weeks. I'm sure she noticed me looking, I hope she doesn't think I'm a fan. There was another woman who laid down and her boobs stayed up. Her baby was 5 months and the woman had not a sliver of fat. She also wore a midriff top and yoga pants. I got distracted trying to figure out how she managed that. She also laid down on her side and breast fed. Because her boobs stayed so pert, she managed to do that feeding with extreme ease.

Mommy Wars

As a work from home mommy, I consider myself to be outside the mommy wars. I likely wouldn't engage in the warfare if I worked outside the home or if I was a SAHM. I do think kids benefit from day care but my mother said kids like to relax in their own home. When we were kids and before my mother became a SAHM, we had a woman come to our house to take care of us. Nowadays, they would call that a nanny but back then, it was called 'a woman who came to our house to take care of the kids.'

That's sorta like people in Beverly Hills have 'guest houses' but the folks in Compton have back 'houses.' It really is the same thing, both have kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Or maybe its like how the Rodeo in Beverly Hills is pronounced Rho-day-O, but the Rodeo off Crenshaw is pronouced Row- Dee- O.

I digress. Since TR doesn't have the opportunities day care offers my goal is to provide her with similiar options. She'll do yoga for exercise, I found a music workshop for infants and the next session starts next month, I located a Spanish for babies and a few other interesting things. While these activities provide exposure to different things, mommy needs to get out the house on a more regular basis and that's more of a driving force than anything else.

I'm distracted now and don't feel like re-reading. Have a lovely weekend.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Alaska's Largest Rally

Women against Palin. 1400 people came out.

http://bigshow.bigfolio.com/?s=000011662&t=0e6a8ae03101be65098418ccb735e4a1

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Dancing Machine

TR and I got back to L.A. on Sunday night. TR is a great passenger. So far on every flight she has fallen asleep right before take off and if she wakes up during the flight, she'll fall asleep before the descent could make her ears pop. She's usually awake when we touch down. So far flying with her has worked out great.

She was asleep when we arrived at the airport in L.A. Later that night Mr A was getting her ready for bed and when she awoke, she saw him, looked at him in slight surprise and she started dancing. Literally dancing and laughing. She had one leg moving up and down and one arm moving with her leg movements. I saw all of Mr A's teeth and all of TR's gums. They were very happy to see each other. We were in Oakland for 4 days, and it seems she was missing her daddy.

Had I known she was going to do all that, I would have had my camera ready.

Mr A told me to be sure that I blog about TR's enjoyment of football. I don't know how it happened but whenever the sport is on t.v. or when we're at a game, she is engaged. If we turn the t.v. from football she'll either holler or turn from the t.v.

In other things it appears TR's bank is on the brink of failure. My mother just recently opened the account for her. When TR is an old woman she'll be able to tell her grandbabies that she went to the polling station to vote for Obama and that her first bank account failed, and she wasn't even a year old. She's living an amazing part of history.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

So Muuuuuch

I've been quite busy, so busy that its too much to blog about. I've been enjoying myself.

I don't practice criminal law but- as a favor or at annoying levels of arm twisting- I'll be Johnetta Cochran. I explain that the odds might be better with a public defender over me - a civil attorney. I think if folks want to commit crimes they need to keep a legal defense fund.

I won my first criminal trial which was also my first jury trial 2 years ago. A few of the jurors were crying and most came to hug and congratulate my client afterwards. I'm pretty good with the spoken word- if I must say so myself.

This most recent criminal matter was dismissed. I've advised the client that I'm done. Any more criminal matters will be handled without my assistance. Hopefully he'll pay me the remainder of my money and stay out of trouble.

Hopefully people will stay out of trouble so I can focus on the work I enjoy, representing the kiddies. Having folks freedom attached to my work is not fun.

TR spent much of the week with my mom. I was working so hard I barely got to hold her. I think I prefer a week or two of a hectic work schedule and a few months of down time. The up time gets my blood pumping and I enjoy the fruits during the down times.

On Saturday my chapter went to see The Familly that Preys and then to lunch. We skipped the movie and did lunch. It was so much fun. Sisterly activities is major highlight of sorority involvement. I keep missing events put on here in L.A. but one day, I'll make one.

On Friday my mom, TR and I went to Stockton (about 80 miles from Oakland) for a funeral. Prior to the service we went to breakfast. At the restaurant, I discovered where many of the working class Oakland blacks had gone. It was amazing. Black people are so mobile. I don't know if that's always a good thing, since a lot of the migration is to locate a cheaper cost of living.

Stockton is also an area with an extremely high rate of foreclosure. Even though people moved there for cheaper living, it apparently wasn't cheap enough. It must be awful to lose a home in the middle of what used to be orchards and pastures. Farmland had to die so cheap -and now empty- mcmansions could be built. Now we all have to pay more for produce because it has to be transported further.

I wonder where the people who have to move, move to? I also wonder if black people are the biggest victims of this? We always get in at the end of pyramid schemes. I know that the areas in CA with the highest foreclosures, such as Stockton and Riverside County are also the areas where the black people were moving to.

Friday, September 05, 2008

stuff

mr a and i are at a h.s. football game. watching the kids has made me fondly reflect on my h.s. years. it has also made me realize how fat kids are these days. i remember only one chunky cheerleaderr the entire time i was in school. everyone else was slender, no skinnies either. by chunky i mean she had rolls and meat on her frame. i saw a pic of her last week and she was obese. she's also living in the south so maybe she might do a'ight.
anyway..... on this squad the meaty/roll girls outweigh the average. the 2 slim girls consist of a blond and an asian. everyone else is latina. i've read that black women may all be obese fairly soon. i blame the terms bigboned and thick for this. as for the latinos, i think they may be hitting 90% obese by the end of next week.

when tr starts going to h.s. games i'll be sure to deliver decent snacks to she and her friends. these kids are here buying pizza hut pizza, snicker bars
and soda.

there are lots of young couples in our neighborhood. i think there must be fertility juice in the water because there are a good number of babies. its more like 1-2 per couple not 3-4 per home. our neighbor has a baby who just turned one. she and i and our daughters, went on a walk around the neighborhood. it was fun. we both want to maintain figures. if i i fall apart i hope its after 55. i want to be the attractive mommy even if i'm an old one. at a minimum i'd like to be fit 'till my kids are out of college.

the neighjbor also pays 125 a week for child care at a family day care and told me that's low. she also had a latina lady who would come to her home for 160. but unless i'm home to supervise i'd want a real caregiver. i'm glad i work from home.

whats weird is now that i live in a neighborhood where so many neighbors walk i think its odd to live somewhere where the neighbors don"t get out. we may have to move to berkeley when we transition because that's a city that has areas similiar to our l.a. neighborhood.

i have a pic, i have to figure out how to upload. the high school is in a pretty nice location

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Messy

I've been involved in government matters since my teen years.

A few years ago Oakland elected a mayor and I knew the city would experience turmoil. I blogged about it. I'll have to find the link. Here it is!

Under the current mayor, Oakland now has 1) folks robbing folks of their laptops in public places like restaurants and on Bart and 2) robbers going to the 'nice' areas and taking over restaurants and robbing people. The robbers don't even bother putting masks on, they know Oakland Police won't be looking for them.

I'm convinced this awful mayor was elected because the strongest othy er candidate was Mexican. The Mexican candidate is great and committed to the city. I was walking in support of the Mexican mayor and people expressed the fear that if he was electerd the Mexicans would prosper.

People are okay to suffer, to prevent another group/person from prospering.

I hope this doesn't happen in our presidential election. I was watching CNN's Campbell Brown interview some man named Tucker. Instead of him answering her questions he just continued to beat the point that Palin has more experience than Obama. Did McCain really pick her just so he could jump back on the experience topic.

It seems republicans primary concern is controlling the lives of others. No abortion, no gay marriage, no sex ed. God has granted us free will, but I guess the republicans think they are bigger than God because they want to take free will away.

I have to watch as Oakland tanks. I hope the hate people hold won't mean I have to watch as the country tanks- further than where Bush has tanked it.

I'm frustrated by the madness and will be purging my mind of the mess. It's all too confusing. I'll just remain prayerful and believe God hears.

Unlike some of the republicans I won't be praying that torrential rains interrupt the lives of anyone.

Edit: After reading that old post I'm now inspired to post about the corruption. How the city manager and apparently a few other city people, were interfering in police investigations and arrests of their drug dealing, organized crime operating relatives.