Happy (late) Thanksgiving

I haven't been blogging much lately because I was planning the first annual "Save Our Children...Save Our Future" Gospel Showcase (which, by the way, was a huge success). But here's the post that would have come on Thanksgiving.

While I've always been taught that every day is a day of thanksgiving, I've decided this year to be especially thankful for the things I DON'T have :)

9. A job. Not working has allowed the opportunity to take a few steps towards some personal goals. Steps that I would not have otherwise been able to take while working.

8. An eviction notice. I've been off work 3 and a half months and I still have my own.

7. A gas bill. I've seen the gas bill at my parents' house and at the church. I'm soooo glad my cooking gas and heat are included in my rent.

6. Poor health - specifically diabetes. I'm not the HEALTHIEST eater, but I'm not a very UNhealthy eater either. I can't imaging having to limit my sugar intake with so much detail as grapes per day, or having to chose a meal over a glass of wine.

5. A lot of debt. This time last year, I paid off my Victoria's Secret card, New York and Company card, and Capital One card, and I've kept the balance off since. With the acception of student loans and a car note, I have reletively no debt.

4. Loser friends. All of my friends may not have a degree, a nice job, car, or house, but all of them are doing something with their lives. All of them are career oriented and have goals (no matter what level). And none of them am I ashamed to say are my best friends. TTWBU!

3. A disfunctional family. I will admit, my family has it's share of issues, as does any family, but I thank God for some functionability. It's pleasing to know people say I act like my mom sometimes, and other times like my dad.

2. A baby-daddy. Lord KNOWS I'm thankful for that. Even when I marry and have kids, I plan to have a husband who will be a great father. Not a baby-daddy.

1. A White president. Selah.

Jewelry

I love jewelry. I don't have a very extensive collection, but I have a few diamond pieces, gold, white gold, silver, surgical steel for the navel, and I have some costume jewelry for certain outfits. I'm definately a lover of jewelry. What I don't love is when people wear ALL of their jewelry at once. I was at city hall today and the cashier was wearing 4 necklaces, all with charms, 4 bracelets on one wrist, 5 bracelets on the other, 4 rings on one hand, 4 rings on the other. All gold. And I'd like to believe that while I couldn't see, she probably had gold anklets on too. I thought the Mr. T trend was buried decades ago.

Rock Teacher

I was in class Thursday night, and we were doing this leadership exercise that took us back to our childhood. We talked about what we did, what we read, what we watched on TV, and who we looked up to. It's a pretty general consensus that we all read Highlights, watched Saved By the Bell, and looked up to our bestfriend's mom. But when I said I use to play Rock Teacher, everyone in the class gave me this "hunh?" look. Was that game only played on my granny's porch? Is it specific to the kids from 86th/Blackstone? Hmmm...

It's officially here!

Christmas has officially arrive in the home of LaSondra. I absolutely LOVE Christmas. It really is the most wonderful time of the year! Why?


10. WLIT 93.9 - They play all holiday music, all day, everyday. And I never get tired of it. Ok maybe sometimes, but it's rare. It's already started. I Love Christmas music.

9. Food - Mom puts her foot in everything she makes. I love the food.

8. Gifts. Not so much the receiving of gifts because I've always been a giver. But every child always gets that ONE gift that just makes them go crazy. I love to see the reactions.

7. Tradition. We always have family dinner on Christmas Eve. Uncle Bill and Aunt Theresa are always gonna be late, even if dinner is at one of their houses. lol. But traditionally, each family receives a candle to take home and burn at night from Christmas Eve on into Christmas day. This represents the importance of continuing to let the Light shine not just on Christmas, but at all times, remembering that Jesus is the Light of the world. I love tradition.

6. It's a holiday. And coming from a very close-knit family, holidays are always so warm and fuzzy. I love my family.


5. I love sitting around my parent's living room with my sis, aunts, uncle, granddaddy, all my cousins, and all the family friends, singing Christmas carols like we're on stage at the Chicago theater performing for a crowd of thousands. On my Dad's side of the family, EVERYBODY sings or plays an instrument, and if you don't do either, I'm ante-ing up for a DNA test. I love singing.

4. Kidd/Smith originals. Coming from a musical background, when we get together (for any holdiay) we always make up original songs. Whether it be the comical "12 Days of Christmas", or the the spiritual "Jesus is the Reason for the Season", we always have a blast writing and singing original Christmas carols (we will be heading to the studio to put our stuff on wax soon. Look for it). I love creativity.

3. Sheer entertainment. My little cousins never cease to amaze me when they perform their Christmas talents. But no one has topped Staci's suprising rendition of Aaliyah's "Rock the Boat" a while back when she was like...6? lol. I love the kiddies.

2. Granddaddy - My Granddeddy (yes I said GrandDEDDY, not GrandDADDY) turned 85 this year. He doesn't get excited about much these days, and he pretty much only lives just to see if he'll see another day. He's been this way for at least a year now.
But to see him on Christmas...to see the joy he has being with all his children and grandchildren around the dinner table...that's something to cherish. I love Granddeddy.

1. It's the celebration of Christ's birth! Often times, people shorten the word Christmas by taking the "Christ" out and replacing it with and X. Last year, you could walk through an entire shopping mall without seeing the word Christmas anywhere because everything said "X-mas" or Holiday. I love remembering that with out Christ, there is no CHRISTmas.

6. Re-arrange my bedroom

#6 on my "101 in 1001" is to re-arrange my bedroom furniture, and with a little help, I finally got it done. I had some reservation about putting my bed in front of the window. Not because of any superstitions, but because I LOVE sunlight, and I didn't want to block any of it with my headboard. In addition, the window (a bay window) houses candles and 2 vases that I fill with my favorite flowers (peruvian lillies) from time to time. But I tried it anyway, and instead of keeping my bed and dresser on opposite walls, I put them on adjacent walls and freed up SOOOO much space in my room. So now I will be shopping for an additional piece of furniture for my bedroom, maybe a tall bookshelf or a big comfy chair, and another Annie Lee or 2 to add to my small collection.

Task complete!

61 - Cut my relaxed hair and go natural (whew!)

The Mission : Complete 101 pre-set tasks in 1001 days.

This task is complete, but I'm not exactly sure when. Transitioning my hair back to its natural state has been quite the task. I've had my share of bad hair days. I've experienced the frustration of straightening naps, breaking combs, and being late for meetings. But I must say, my natural hair is longer and more healthy than my relaxed hair ever was. I don't regret it one bit, even though there are times when I'm tempted to throw some no lye on it. No lie. lol. Let me also throw in that very few people have seen my hair in its natural stage in the last 6 months (that sweet Jesus for advancements is hair weave. It's so convenient. Hallelujah! LOL).

#61 - Cut my relaxed hair and go natural (whew!). Task complete!

87 - Create a list of my all-time favorite music artists

My all-time favorite artists and favorite album and song (no particular order):

1. Tweet - Southern Hummingbird, "Best Friend" and "Beautiful"
2. Erykah Badu - Mama's Gun, "Orange Moon"
3. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, "Nothing Even Matters"
4. Chrisette Michele - I Am, "If I Have My Way"
5. Corinne Bailey Rae - Corinne Bailey Rae, "Breathless"

1. Israel New Breed - Live From Another Level, "Another Breakthrough"
2. Richard Smallwood - Healing: Live in Detroit, "Be Open"
3. James Hall - Live from New York at Lincoln Center, "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand"
4. Tremaine Hawkins - All My Best to You, "Potter's House"
5. William Smith, Jr. & the Renewed Voices for Christ - He Reigns, "You Are"

I don't listen to a lot of rap but my favs are Biggie (Ready to Die vs Life After Death, idk) and Jigga (Blue Print vs Black Album, idk)

Task Complete.