We've been giving great thought to our planned move to the Bay Area.
I've grown to love our L.A. neighborhood. It's walkable. There is a lovely park in the middle of our little area, and each day kids can be seen playing in the sand area, couples and families have picnics and elderly people sit out and relax. TR and I were there on last Friday and saw a group of kids on a play date. I enjoy living in an area where people take their kids out and where the people mingle with their neighbors.
Lots of our neighbors walk their dogs and/or their kids so you get a chance to meet everyone. Mr A misplaced the car key last week. We were about to have the car towed to the dealership and pay ~$200 for a new key. Our neighbor saw Mr A and asked him if he had lost his key. Turns out if anything in the neighborhood is lost, people bring it to her. Who knew Mayberry existed smack in the middle of Los Angeles?
In the other direction of home, is a cute village with many banks, sidewalk cafes, boutique shopping, drug store and other cute shops. There is also the Sunday Farmers Market. Just this past weekend we put TR in her stroller, had a nice walk to the village, handled a few errands and had lunch at a Japanese restaurant. Then we walked home. We don't have a grocery store in reasonable walking distance- although I have walked there- if we did, I don't know if I'd be willing to leave our area.
I've been trying to envision the Oakland areas that have the same/similiar access. I've also been pondering Berkeley. Mr A likes Berkeley. San Francisco is too cold and foggy for me to consider although some of the neighborhoods are very cute.
We're not suburb types so we don't want to live outside city limits. Plus if we were going to live distant from Oakland, we'd just stay in Los Angeles.
The list of what I want in a neighborhood is increasing. We plan to send our children to private school, so we can move without regard to area schools.
We made a good decision with our current residence. We prayed over it and we've been blessed in the location. It's difficult to make the move when where we are is so nice. I just want to remain in an area where life can be enjoyed on foot. I really appreciate how nice life can be when neighbors get out of their cars and become a part of their neighborhood. It's easier to go on a walk when you can walk to a destination and then back home.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Old Wives Tales
My mother told me a few months ago that if TR was sleepy but wouldn't go to sleep I should just put my hand over her eyes and she'd fall asleep. I thought she was joking.
Yesterday, I was tired, TR was tired but she wouldn't go to sleep. I put my hand over her eyes and noticed each time I did it, her eyes stayed shut longer and longer. I called my mom and told her, but explained that whenever I moved my hand TR would eventually reopen her eyes. My mom said to leave my hand for a couple of minutes. I did it, saw TR's breathing get deep and even and she was asleep.
Amazing. I'll have to listen to my mother more often.
Yesterday, I was tired, TR was tired but she wouldn't go to sleep. I put my hand over her eyes and noticed each time I did it, her eyes stayed shut longer and longer. I called my mom and told her, but explained that whenever I moved my hand TR would eventually reopen her eyes. My mom said to leave my hand for a couple of minutes. I did it, saw TR's breathing get deep and even and she was asleep.
Amazing. I'll have to listen to my mother more often.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A must read!!!
http://leishacamden.blogspot.com/2008/10/not-that-it-matters.html
A wonderful story of helping a stranger with a wonderful and timely ending.
Read and share!
A wonderful story of helping a stranger with a wonderful and timely ending.
Read and share!
4 Falls of Love
Mr A and I began our affair of love 4 years ago in autumn. We met winter of 2004, chatted on the phone through the summer of 2004, met up a few times at the end of summer earl by October 2004 we were a couple.
I still remember 'the talk'. I remember how my heart beat so fast and how nervous but excited I was. I remember going shopping with my cousin and buying him a baby blue sweater. I bought it because I was thinking of him and he didn't own any pastel colors.
I remember taking the train to see him and him taking the train to see me. I remember going to the grocery store to prepare for his visit. I remember the feelings I was experiencing.
I asked Mr A if he remembers our first fall together. His answer was no. Fret not, I didn't hurt him. He usually does well when I ask him if he remembers firsts. He was up and out at 5 a.m. this morning, so perhaps he was tired.
Time flies so fast. In a few months we will have known each other 5 years. We've been a couple for 4 years, and married a little over two. It is really amazing how quickly time passes. Soon (just a few years) we'll be taking TR to her bilingual preschool. Soon we'll be 40 with elementary age children. We'll be 50 with college aged children. Goodness gracious, time waits on no one.
I think gymboree is for parents who spend 0 time with their child. I don't think I can attend or pay to attend a class and pay to sing songs and touch my baby's body parts. We do that every day. I think the part with the play area looked nice. That's for babies that are walking. Currently we have mommy and baby yoga and daddies too. I might give the music class another shot. Next up..... baby sign language. My mother laughed at me today, when I told her we were on our way to gymboree.
I did find a beautiful Christmas dress for TR and a few hats, one a paperboy hat. I love those. My mom plans to take TR to San Francisco at Christmas time. The hat will come in handy in the freezing city. They are going to browse Saks and see the tree at Neimans. It seems that TR will be reliving my childhood Christmases.
I still remember 'the talk'. I remember how my heart beat so fast and how nervous but excited I was. I remember going shopping with my cousin and buying him a baby blue sweater. I bought it because I was thinking of him and he didn't own any pastel colors.
I remember taking the train to see him and him taking the train to see me. I remember going to the grocery store to prepare for his visit. I remember the feelings I was experiencing.
I asked Mr A if he remembers our first fall together. His answer was no. Fret not, I didn't hurt him. He usually does well when I ask him if he remembers firsts. He was up and out at 5 a.m. this morning, so perhaps he was tired.
Time flies so fast. In a few months we will have known each other 5 years. We've been a couple for 4 years, and married a little over two. It is really amazing how quickly time passes. Soon (just a few years) we'll be taking TR to her bilingual preschool. Soon we'll be 40 with elementary age children. We'll be 50 with college aged children. Goodness gracious, time waits on no one.
I think gymboree is for parents who spend 0 time with their child. I don't think I can attend or pay to attend a class and pay to sing songs and touch my baby's body parts. We do that every day. I think the part with the play area looked nice. That's for babies that are walking. Currently we have mommy and baby yoga and daddies too. I might give the music class another shot. Next up..... baby sign language. My mother laughed at me today, when I told her we were on our way to gymboree.
I did find a beautiful Christmas dress for TR and a few hats, one a paperboy hat. I love those. My mom plans to take TR to San Francisco at Christmas time. The hat will come in handy in the freezing city. They are going to browse Saks and see the tree at Neimans. It seems that TR will be reliving my childhood Christmases.
How the Rich Live
Ivanka Trump was on Morning Joe this a.m.
She said there is a palpable fear amongst people at this time of global economic crisis. She spoke of people she knew who made millions each year and how they were having family meetings on how they were going to cut back and make different decisions. I hear middle class folks feeling confident about their plantations ability to withstand and their feelings of job security and savings.
My grandmother was alive during the depression, she said they were using dollar bills as wall paper because they were worthless. Banks failed, money in those banks was lost. The govt doesn't have funds to insure all the money in banks. They can create more paper but it will be worthless. My grandmother and her parents were blessed to own their land and home and have farms and food to eat.
Middle class people do not seem to realize they are poor and that middle class is just a term to make people feel better. Middle class people are soooo drinking the kool-aid. It's the middle that keep the rich wealthy and the poor operating.
The wealthy work forever because they love what they do. Middle class work until they can afford to stop. The poor- I'm not sure what they do.
I was having this discussion with my mother yesterday. I was telling her people can't live on SSI anymore. She informed me that my statement is sort of true, sort of false.
If SSI is all a person has to live on, they can go rent a $2000 house and only pay 30% of their income, then they can get reduced rates on necessary services like phone and utilities. She helped one of her cousins get a home phone (he owns his home w/o mortgage because his mother paid for it, his mother died and now my mom helps him) and he only has to pay $5 per month.
If I die an old woman and die middle class, I believe I will have lived far beneath my potential and failed. I have no desire to achieve wealth for the perks, I just don't want to live my life in the trap of middle class. I want to win at this game called life. I also want my children to know they can go beyond being middle- if they so desire. I know I don't need to be rich and I'm not trying to buy anything, but the achievement of some real wealth is a goal of mine. Its sorta like people who want to climb a high mountain, they just want the satisfaction of acheiving a goal that takes discipline to meet.
She said there is a palpable fear amongst people at this time of global economic crisis. She spoke of people she knew who made millions each year and how they were having family meetings on how they were going to cut back and make different decisions. I hear middle class folks feeling confident about their plantations ability to withstand and their feelings of job security and savings.
My grandmother was alive during the depression, she said they were using dollar bills as wall paper because they were worthless. Banks failed, money in those banks was lost. The govt doesn't have funds to insure all the money in banks. They can create more paper but it will be worthless. My grandmother and her parents were blessed to own their land and home and have farms and food to eat.
Middle class people do not seem to realize they are poor and that middle class is just a term to make people feel better. Middle class people are soooo drinking the kool-aid. It's the middle that keep the rich wealthy and the poor operating.
The wealthy work forever because they love what they do. Middle class work until they can afford to stop. The poor- I'm not sure what they do.
I was having this discussion with my mother yesterday. I was telling her people can't live on SSI anymore. She informed me that my statement is sort of true, sort of false.
If SSI is all a person has to live on, they can go rent a $2000 house and only pay 30% of their income, then they can get reduced rates on necessary services like phone and utilities. She helped one of her cousins get a home phone (he owns his home w/o mortgage because his mother paid for it, his mother died and now my mom helps him) and he only has to pay $5 per month.
If I die an old woman and die middle class, I believe I will have lived far beneath my potential and failed. I have no desire to achieve wealth for the perks, I just don't want to live my life in the trap of middle class. I want to win at this game called life. I also want my children to know they can go beyond being middle- if they so desire. I know I don't need to be rich and I'm not trying to buy anything, but the achievement of some real wealth is a goal of mine. Its sorta like people who want to climb a high mountain, they just want the satisfaction of acheiving a goal that takes discipline to meet.
Monday, October 20, 2008
My Reality
Am I correct in thinking a blog is similiar to being cast on a reality t.v. show? Bloggers show parts of their lives, either all of it or selected parts. In the past I wasn't too much of a reality fan, but reality t.v. is sucking me in.
I'm a fan of Real Housewives of Atlanta and I'm amazed at the vitriolic criticism these women are garnering. My goodness.....its totally amazing.
I hope they don't care. I don't think they make Atlanta (suburbs) look bad or women or women of color. If people think the any group of people are homogenous, then may the live happily in their vacuum. Do people watch Hills and think the show represents all young white folks? Black people never get a chance to just be. Someone always wants to be represented.
I wish Deshawn would open her mouth when she speaks. It is painful to watch her speak. I wonder if she has veneers and isn't comfortable with them.
I'm a fan of the Rachel Zoe Project. I remember her from the days she was accused of turning Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan into anorexics. I know she styled them into recognition.
I think The Hills is losing me. The show seems to have flatlined and until something different occurs I can't make myself watch.
I'm still watching The Game and that seems to have bitten the shark as well. I'll be glad when Tudors starts again.
The Game is just a horrible representation of Black athletes. One is a momma's boy, one has a white wife, the other one has become a 'baby daddy'. While I don't know any momma boy athletes I am very familiar with the other two. Are they making Ms. Brock Akil do this? This is the same madness that happened to Moesha.
I know I'd be crushed if the man I loved had a baby out there. I think I'm greedy and I'm just realizing this. I want 100% of my husband. I want us to exist in our own universe. I think it would be extremely difficult if there were pieces of him walking the earth, pieces that I had no part in creating. That would be like having a ladder up to out planet, instead of us just floating as we please.
The plan for Tuesday is Gymboree. The family is going to check out the 0-6 month class and see what its about. At the Baby Citizen of the World Class, one of the babies kept screaming. TR must have liked the noise because she's been blessing us with high pitched screams at various points throughout the day. When she does it, I call my mother and let her listen. My mother laughs and screams back.
I can't wait to go back to the Bay. We're spending a month up there and I plan to pull out pots, pans and wooden spoons, place TR in the kitchen with my mom and let them have fun.
I'm a fan of Real Housewives of Atlanta and I'm amazed at the vitriolic criticism these women are garnering. My goodness.....its totally amazing.
I hope they don't care. I don't think they make Atlanta (suburbs) look bad or women or women of color. If people think the any group of people are homogenous, then may the live happily in their vacuum. Do people watch Hills and think the show represents all young white folks? Black people never get a chance to just be. Someone always wants to be represented.
I wish Deshawn would open her mouth when she speaks. It is painful to watch her speak. I wonder if she has veneers and isn't comfortable with them.
I'm a fan of the Rachel Zoe Project. I remember her from the days she was accused of turning Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan into anorexics. I know she styled them into recognition.
I think The Hills is losing me. The show seems to have flatlined and until something different occurs I can't make myself watch.
I'm still watching The Game and that seems to have bitten the shark as well. I'll be glad when Tudors starts again.
The Game is just a horrible representation of Black athletes. One is a momma's boy, one has a white wife, the other one has become a 'baby daddy'. While I don't know any momma boy athletes I am very familiar with the other two. Are they making Ms. Brock Akil do this? This is the same madness that happened to Moesha.
I know I'd be crushed if the man I loved had a baby out there. I think I'm greedy and I'm just realizing this. I want 100% of my husband. I want us to exist in our own universe. I think it would be extremely difficult if there were pieces of him walking the earth, pieces that I had no part in creating. That would be like having a ladder up to out planet, instead of us just floating as we please.
The plan for Tuesday is Gymboree. The family is going to check out the 0-6 month class and see what its about. At the Baby Citizen of the World Class, one of the babies kept screaming. TR must have liked the noise because she's been blessing us with high pitched screams at various points throughout the day. When she does it, I call my mother and let her listen. My mother laughs and screams back.
I can't wait to go back to the Bay. We're spending a month up there and I plan to pull out pots, pans and wooden spoons, place TR in the kitchen with my mom and let them have fun.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Indian Summer
I don't know if it's an Indian Summer or global warming but today was hot. When I saw the weather report, I knew we needed to make it to the park before the heat of the day destroyed our plans and forced us to take shelter indoors.
TR and I made our first trip into the sand and got on a swing. Around noon the park was full of babies, they were sitting on blankets and crawling in the grass. Mr A joined us with picnic food and our lawn mats. He laid them out under a tree, we put TR down and she crawled around.
I love picnics and I realized this was TR's very first real picnic. We went to one Sunday but since we sat at tables and got our food from caterers, I don't think it counts. A picnic must contain laying out on the grass and food to qualify as picnic.
TR and I made our first trip into the sand and got on a swing. Around noon the park was full of babies, they were sitting on blankets and crawling in the grass. Mr A joined us with picnic food and our lawn mats. He laid them out under a tree, we put TR down and she crawled around.
I love picnics and I realized this was TR's very first real picnic. We went to one Sunday but since we sat at tables and got our food from caterers, I don't think it counts. A picnic must contain laying out on the grass and food to qualify as picnic.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Fire
My only t.v. viewing options are cable and the fire watch on local stations. I've missed my normal programming for 2 days. We didn't make it to the park yesterday because TR was napping during that hour. Mr A had a meeting in the morning, practice in the afternoon and a late meeting, so TR and I spent the day in bed.
Mr A is home today so we will all be getting into traffic. One of the fires is in an area called Porter Ranch. Mr A used to work out that way and I toured some of the model homes there. The models were fab-looking. They were the large cheaply built ticky tacky look alike boxes(circa Weeds theme song) on tiny lots. At the time I was looking, the homes were in the high $700ks. I was just looking to pass time because I was visiting him at work and he was in a meeting.
There is a PBS special I'm trying to catch. It's called "Driven to Despair." It's supposed to discuss how the exodus to the surburbs and exurbs, coupled with increase in gas costs fueled the mortgage meltdown. I did my conspiracy post on such a topic over a year ago. My sister's professor told her class in the 90's about the great surburb exodus and then a rise in gas prices which would have folks trapped and the cities would once again become the area of choice. The suburbanites would then have challenges getting to the city even for work.
I guess he couldn't predict easy credit and folks walking away from homes.
Mr A I and didn't buy a new home after we married because we planned to move to the bay area. 2006 was the peak of real estate and while some folks were still hollering 'buy' we expected a decrease in price. We didn't expect all of this but watching some of these fire sales makes us even more pleased that we decided to move slow and figure out what we liked and where we wanted to live.
That decision also allowed Mr A to start a business. We were watching the news today and saw that one of the corporations he used to work for will be having layoffs. The other corporation he worked for underwent major changes a bit after he left. I'm sure it is stressful to wonder if your location will be impacted.
We've really been blessed with how things have been timed for us. We were blessed even in where we chose to live. We had no idea we were so centrally located and on fantastic public transit routes. We moved here while Mr A was at his old job and making a salary that was high for Los Angeles, plus bonuses that were the amount of some folks yearly salary. Of course much was eaten up in taxes so I knew we could live on far less. God has really blessed, kept and made provisions for us. While I realize these are tough economic times, my faith is not (and never has been) placed in my husbands or my great careers and earning capacity. It is not in us having multiple incomes. I know God is the one who made it possible for us to have regular business and regular income. I know He blesses our clients so they can bless us.
I'm not worried but my lack of worry has nothing to do with my confidence and reliance on our strengths but in the power and control of God. I really can't understand folks who get so confident in their own power and decision making. It is grace that allows people to be well enough to work, so how does one take confidence in income from a job?
Mr A is home today so we will all be getting into traffic. One of the fires is in an area called Porter Ranch. Mr A used to work out that way and I toured some of the model homes there. The models were fab-looking. They were the large cheaply built ticky tacky look alike boxes(circa Weeds theme song) on tiny lots. At the time I was looking, the homes were in the high $700ks. I was just looking to pass time because I was visiting him at work and he was in a meeting.
There is a PBS special I'm trying to catch. It's called "Driven to Despair." It's supposed to discuss how the exodus to the surburbs and exurbs, coupled with increase in gas costs fueled the mortgage meltdown. I did my conspiracy post on such a topic over a year ago. My sister's professor told her class in the 90's about the great surburb exodus and then a rise in gas prices which would have folks trapped and the cities would once again become the area of choice. The suburbanites would then have challenges getting to the city even for work.
I guess he couldn't predict easy credit and folks walking away from homes.
Mr A I and didn't buy a new home after we married because we planned to move to the bay area. 2006 was the peak of real estate and while some folks were still hollering 'buy' we expected a decrease in price. We didn't expect all of this but watching some of these fire sales makes us even more pleased that we decided to move slow and figure out what we liked and where we wanted to live.
That decision also allowed Mr A to start a business. We were watching the news today and saw that one of the corporations he used to work for will be having layoffs. The other corporation he worked for underwent major changes a bit after he left. I'm sure it is stressful to wonder if your location will be impacted.
We've really been blessed with how things have been timed for us. We were blessed even in where we chose to live. We had no idea we were so centrally located and on fantastic public transit routes. We moved here while Mr A was at his old job and making a salary that was high for Los Angeles, plus bonuses that were the amount of some folks yearly salary. Of course much was eaten up in taxes so I knew we could live on far less. God has really blessed, kept and made provisions for us. While I realize these are tough economic times, my faith is not (and never has been) placed in my husbands or my great careers and earning capacity. It is not in us having multiple incomes. I know God is the one who made it possible for us to have regular business and regular income. I know He blesses our clients so they can bless us.
I'm not worried but my lack of worry has nothing to do with my confidence and reliance on our strengths but in the power and control of God. I really can't understand folks who get so confident in their own power and decision making. It is grace that allows people to be well enough to work, so how does one take confidence in income from a job?
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Diary of a Mommy
First check out this site. Daddy Diaries, I'll wait. Tell your friends there is a site for first time fathers. Most resources are targetted to first time mothers but daddies are curious too.
Time flies so fast. The three of us are in bed. TR is kicking around, smiling, looking and doing baby things. Last year this time she was my passenger and only two folks were in this bed. Even then she was adding joy and excitment through anticipation. Now its joy and excitement through her presence.
Last March I blogged about going to a bar-b-cue where the host had a 2 month old, another woman was a few months pregnant and I was barely showing. A few weeks ago much of this group got together again, for a kids birthday party. The 2 month old is now 8 months, she and TR sat on the floor together and she nearly toppled on TR. The other baby was a few weeks old. It was slightly amazing to me.
On Friday TR and I went to a music class for infants. It's called World Citizen Baby. The babies sang songs in Spanish, Portuguese, Swahilli, played instruments and basically laughed and screamed at their mommies who sang songs and danced their babies around the room. One woman even brought her nanny. Must be nice. Most of the women appeared to be in their late 30's, early 40's. That made me ponder what I was doing in that mix, maybe I need to go to gymboree.
TR and I have been walking to the park around the same time everyday. We purposely go at the same time because the same kids are there with their nannies. The nannies speak Spanish/Spanglish to TR and their charges, so I figure she can watch the kids play and pick up the basics of a second language.
On Saturday TR had a photo shoot. The lady brought such pretty props. It was lots of fun and I'm looking forward to the prints.
She'll finish the shoot in a couple of weeks and Mr A and I will take photos with her.
That is all.
Time flies so fast. The three of us are in bed. TR is kicking around, smiling, looking and doing baby things. Last year this time she was my passenger and only two folks were in this bed. Even then she was adding joy and excitment through anticipation. Now its joy and excitement through her presence.
Last March I blogged about going to a bar-b-cue where the host had a 2 month old, another woman was a few months pregnant and I was barely showing. A few weeks ago much of this group got together again, for a kids birthday party. The 2 month old is now 8 months, she and TR sat on the floor together and she nearly toppled on TR. The other baby was a few weeks old. It was slightly amazing to me.
On Friday TR and I went to a music class for infants. It's called World Citizen Baby. The babies sang songs in Spanish, Portuguese, Swahilli, played instruments and basically laughed and screamed at their mommies who sang songs and danced their babies around the room. One woman even brought her nanny. Must be nice. Most of the women appeared to be in their late 30's, early 40's. That made me ponder what I was doing in that mix, maybe I need to go to gymboree.
TR and I have been walking to the park around the same time everyday. We purposely go at the same time because the same kids are there with their nannies. The nannies speak Spanish/Spanglish to TR and their charges, so I figure she can watch the kids play and pick up the basics of a second language.
On Saturday TR had a photo shoot. The lady brought such pretty props. It was lots of fun and I'm looking forward to the prints.
She'll finish the shoot in a couple of weeks and Mr A and I will take photos with her.
That is all.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Rain Rain Come Again
It rained this Saturday, it was lovely. I appreciate a rainy day, it creates a vibe I could describe but won't.
I had a very nice weekend. On Friday Mr A, TR and I went to Pacific Palisdades. I wrapped TR in a nice heavy cotton baby blanket and she slept almost from the time we got to the game until the time we got home. It was a quite cool out but she was toasty warm.
I think that was her first trip to the beach.
One of my sorors from my Bay Area chapter moved to L.A., so we visited a chapter and had a great time. We'll probably affiliate with that chapter. I also met another Soror who also moved down here from the Bay Area. She and her husband recently bought in Baldwin Hills and when they first moved to L.A. they lived in the area we live in. I thought that was pretty cool. Like-minded women.
I was gone @6 hours on Saturday and I don't think I've been away from TR that long since she came home. As a result of our 6 hour seperation one of my boobs was so heavy with milk that I thought I'd scream. My sweet little baby is better than any breast pump. She drained that milk. Mr A had fed her while I was gone but she seemed to want exactly what I had.
This actually happened before. When she was first born I had to pump. The first time I pumped I only got a few cc's/ml. The doctors measured her belly to determine how much milk she needed. The amount I had produced was the exact amount they had measured her to need. I was so happy!
It's amazing how God built a baby and a mommy. My production relaxes at night, I guess because she mostly sleeps through the night. Six hours in the night does not have the same result. But 6 hours in the middle of the day had a drastically different result. I guess TR and I are in sync.
On Sunday our intent was to hit the 8 a.m. service. We were up late Saturday and didn't get up as early as we wanted. As a result we went to West A so as not to miss the message. West A isn't our first choice so we'll have to be sure to do better.
Mr A's friend had gone ocean fishing and caught lots of tuna. I think Mahi. His friend and his girlfriend came by so Mr A could grill the tuna. His friend has a baby grill and Mr A has a man station and while Mr A can work miracles with the grill, he can work great works with a good grill.
The tuna was great. I got to hang out with my friend and Mr A got to hang out with his childhood bestfriend. TR had fun hanging with and talking to the adults and watching football.
I'm looking forward to putting up October decorations. Having a child in the house just makes life so festive.
I had a very nice weekend. On Friday Mr A, TR and I went to Pacific Palisdades. I wrapped TR in a nice heavy cotton baby blanket and she slept almost from the time we got to the game until the time we got home. It was a quite cool out but she was toasty warm.
I think that was her first trip to the beach.
One of my sorors from my Bay Area chapter moved to L.A., so we visited a chapter and had a great time. We'll probably affiliate with that chapter. I also met another Soror who also moved down here from the Bay Area. She and her husband recently bought in Baldwin Hills and when they first moved to L.A. they lived in the area we live in. I thought that was pretty cool. Like-minded women.
I was gone @6 hours on Saturday and I don't think I've been away from TR that long since she came home. As a result of our 6 hour seperation one of my boobs was so heavy with milk that I thought I'd scream. My sweet little baby is better than any breast pump. She drained that milk. Mr A had fed her while I was gone but she seemed to want exactly what I had.
This actually happened before. When she was first born I had to pump. The first time I pumped I only got a few cc's/ml. The doctors measured her belly to determine how much milk she needed. The amount I had produced was the exact amount they had measured her to need. I was so happy!
It's amazing how God built a baby and a mommy. My production relaxes at night, I guess because she mostly sleeps through the night. Six hours in the night does not have the same result. But 6 hours in the middle of the day had a drastically different result. I guess TR and I are in sync.
On Sunday our intent was to hit the 8 a.m. service. We were up late Saturday and didn't get up as early as we wanted. As a result we went to West A so as not to miss the message. West A isn't our first choice so we'll have to be sure to do better.
Mr A's friend had gone ocean fishing and caught lots of tuna. I think Mahi. His friend and his girlfriend came by so Mr A could grill the tuna. His friend has a baby grill and Mr A has a man station and while Mr A can work miracles with the grill, he can work great works with a good grill.
The tuna was great. I got to hang out with my friend and Mr A got to hang out with his childhood bestfriend. TR had fun hanging with and talking to the adults and watching football.
I'm looking forward to putting up October decorations. Having a child in the house just makes life so festive.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
What I'm Wearing Today
I was up at 2 a.m. and decided to shower. I missed showering yesterday. Mr A has been at a training from 8 to 5, and its been just TR and me at home this week.
It's only Wednesday and I'm grateful Mr A works from home. I'm sure I could do this everyday but I'm grateful we are doing this together.
Laat night, he came home, got the car and headed out to get gas and a hair cut. I was passed out when he got home. Sure I could have gotten gas while he was gone, but I'm turning into one of those women. You know..... the ones who don't get their own fuel, and can't work the remote control like my 83 year old aunt. She's been married 60+ years and has never pumped gas. She doesn't even know how. Her husband gets her car, fills it up and returns it. He pays for her gas as well. I know some men (not Mr A) who require their wife to pay for her own gas, labelling it as her expense.
I disagree with that especially if she uses gas to buy groceries. Some men want to be head of household, but want to share expenses. If I made TR pay bills, she'd be justified in telling me since she supports herself financially or chips in, I am limited in what I can tell her. I'd of course warm a switch up and work on her tail, but she'd be reasonable to think what she said.
Anyway, I woke up the 2nd time around 6 a.m and put on workout shorts and a white t-shirt. TR had carrots for an early lunch and since she has picked up the habit of touching the spoon as it head towards her mouth, I'm wearing carrots. I could have changed but then when she spit up milk on me a couple of hours later I would have hsd to change again. I look like baby food smeared housewife.
TR is generous. When she's eating she'll put her hand in her mouth and then put it in my mouth. I don't know how to tell her that I appreciate her gesture of giving but am not a fan of baby food and certainly not baby food she's already eaten on.
My mother was feeding her and I looked at my mother and knew exactly what TR ate. My mother had dried apple sauce on her forehead. I just recently began feeing her by spoon, Mr A. had held that task. He is amazing. When he feeds her she doesn't need a bib or cloth. Everything ends up in her mouth. They have ettiquette conversations so perhaps that's why she dines very neatly with him.
In other things, I think she can read. She moves her eyes in the correct direction when I'm reading. She can also swim. We were in the bath last weeks and she arched her body into back float position, relaxed and proceeded to float, as I held her.
I later noticed her doing the doggy paddle. Mr A is a great swimmer, he's even trained in survival swimming and he'll give her formal instruction a little later. Maybe next summer.
I may be exaggerating on the reading but everything else is exactly as it has happened.
It's only Wednesday and I'm grateful Mr A works from home. I'm sure I could do this everyday but I'm grateful we are doing this together.
Laat night, he came home, got the car and headed out to get gas and a hair cut. I was passed out when he got home. Sure I could have gotten gas while he was gone, but I'm turning into one of those women. You know..... the ones who don't get their own fuel, and can't work the remote control like my 83 year old aunt. She's been married 60+ years and has never pumped gas. She doesn't even know how. Her husband gets her car, fills it up and returns it. He pays for her gas as well. I know some men (not Mr A) who require their wife to pay for her own gas, labelling it as her expense.
I disagree with that especially if she uses gas to buy groceries. Some men want to be head of household, but want to share expenses. If I made TR pay bills, she'd be justified in telling me since she supports herself financially or chips in, I am limited in what I can tell her. I'd of course warm a switch up and work on her tail, but she'd be reasonable to think what she said.
Anyway, I woke up the 2nd time around 6 a.m and put on workout shorts and a white t-shirt. TR had carrots for an early lunch and since she has picked up the habit of touching the spoon as it head towards her mouth, I'm wearing carrots. I could have changed but then when she spit up milk on me a couple of hours later I would have hsd to change again. I look like baby food smeared housewife.
TR is generous. When she's eating she'll put her hand in her mouth and then put it in my mouth. I don't know how to tell her that I appreciate her gesture of giving but am not a fan of baby food and certainly not baby food she's already eaten on.
My mother was feeding her and I looked at my mother and knew exactly what TR ate. My mother had dried apple sauce on her forehead. I just recently began feeing her by spoon, Mr A. had held that task. He is amazing. When he feeds her she doesn't need a bib or cloth. Everything ends up in her mouth. They have ettiquette conversations so perhaps that's why she dines very neatly with him.
In other things, I think she can read. She moves her eyes in the correct direction when I'm reading. She can also swim. We were in the bath last weeks and she arched her body into back float position, relaxed and proceeded to float, as I held her.
I later noticed her doing the doggy paddle. Mr A is a great swimmer, he's even trained in survival swimming and he'll give her formal instruction a little later. Maybe next summer.
I may be exaggerating on the reading but everything else is exactly as it has happened.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
