Scrubbing Bubbles THE BEST

Hey guys if you have not heard my thoughts for today check out my Reality Show on the side. I was talking today about the high cost of groceries and how I am really starting to feel it.

I mean this is nuts no one should have to pay seven dollars for a bag of apples! But I guess the trickle down theory is working well when it comes to gas prices and the cost being shuffled around to folks like me! aaack. I simply cannot believe this.

Well that is all I have to say about that but since I sh0uld be clipping coupons anyways I think I will be doing that from now on or hitting the dollar stores or something around here which may not be a bad idea for my cleaning supplies and other household items.

So now on to this new product that I found in Walmart and hope that they have at the dollar store for cheaper.

Drum Roll please!

Click the picture to get your dollar off coupon too since I have been ranting and raving about the cost of everything. Take advantage of everything that is available to you.

This product is so off the chain guys that is the only way I can put it. See my tub is starting to lose the finish on it and since I planning on purchasing a home elsewhere trying to get this taken care of is not a priority so I have been having a problem getting dirt out of it. I mean bleach, pine sol, ammonia all kinds of things didn't help me at all there was always like this ring or a dullness to the tub. I am so serious and one thing I believe in a clean kitchen and a clean bathroom. So I bought this stuff just to try it and when it says you don't have to scrub it is not kidding! I sprayed this fabulous stuff all over the shower the walls and the shower doors in the tub, the toilet the sink all the fixtures then got down on the floor with. Wiped not scrubbed everything down and within ten minutes my bathroom was spotless. It was unbelievable! So now I decided oooh if it works this well in bathrooms wonder what else it is good for? Hmmmm.

I went downstairs into my kitchen and sprayed this stuff on my kitchen floors. (not recommended for wood and other floors guys don't try this at home cause I don't want anyone trying to sue Mama) but I know my floors. So anyways ran hot water only and mopped my once white and waxed floors. You might as well have made me the spokesperson for this stuff. My floors were spotless like they were the day we moved in here. I was so happy and beside myself. That I pulled up the rugs and did all the floors and broke a little sweat doing it. But you know what my house was clean. That was a good feeling. I did all of that before seven in the morning mind you too. Cause right after that I had to begin my day by going in my office and working but now I could do it peace knowing my floors and my tub and shower doors were not going to be an eyesore for me. Now when I buy the stuff I buy three or four cause I will use them all in a week, seriously.

Too much? Well who else is going to keep the house clean and kids rooms straight under the age of 12? And I don't care how much I work I like to make sure that if I am sitting in my house it's what my mom used to call "half way decent" for you or unexpected company.

Well back to work for me. I have some new fliers to make for my swap meet, a meeting with Sandra about The Kings Days weekend and Juneteenth, and another book for Lili and Friends series I have to redo. All of this before the day is done. Ouch!

I will chat later with you. Don't forget to check out this weekends movie "The Monkey Hustle"

Off to work out for an hour.

Til next time.

Mamma

Barack Obama's DNC Speech

Ok so if you guys don't know it by now there is a presidential campaign going on right now and everyone is abuzz about the final four that are standing in the race. On one side you have the Democrats who has the Obama/Biden ticket and on the Republican side you have the McCain/Palin ticket.
Now I posted live here the Democratice National Convention the night Obama spoke and I will do the same for McCain. I want to see what he is talking about. This is like a fine game of tennise or chess the way that they are serving one another. But what is sad is how the press is protraying this election like it was a game when by all accounts we are talking people's lives!
So attached once again is Barack Obama's speech in case you missed it and if you happen to want to see it again I got, I got it, I got it!

NOW YOU DECIDE

McCain is next


I'm voting now what about you?

Til next time.

Mamma

Movie Of The Week: The Monkey Hustle

The Monkey Hustle

Street hustlers and con-artists are about to be left without a turf or victims if the proposed freeway comes to fruition.

So The DNC Is Over But I'm Still The Mama

Well I was so glad that the speech Barack Obama gave was presented so well. If I had any doubts on his strengths or weaknesses he cleared them up with the detailed speech provided detailing all the points that have been pressed against him by the McCain Campaign and others. He did such a great job and I loved the way that he basically told McCain "Bring it on" about a debate.
I think Obama gave great points all the way around about how he is going to make changes to this country. He brought up one thing that is sticking in my mind that we are in the 21st century and we have to go there too as a country or get left behind. That was an excellent point.
I love the fact that he didn't go to the black thing. He was clear this was about the American people and not just once group. This is our country and each one of us is responsible for the change. I got that loud and clear.
I still need to see more though. I get the feel good part but I'm going to go to his site.

www.barackobama.com and check out what he is really talking about here see the breakdown that he is talking about. I want to make sure that I vote for who I believe can do the job and lead this country to a better place, provide better health care and education, and jobs and increase wages for people like me.
McCain? Obama?

Hmmmmm

We will see

Make sure you VOTE in the midst of parenting and living your life register to VOTE.
I cannot tell you who to vote for but make a decision to be a part of this next election.
Remember your vote counts.

Til Next Time

Mamma

The Democratic National Convention

Ok I'm sitting here watching history unfold right before my eyes and I must it is overwhelming. I thought that you would enjoy this being that we may not have time to do much of anything else except work and take care of family. Check this out live and then you decide....Next week, the Republican National Convention right here!

The Historic Speech Of The First African American Nominated for President of the united states. This is also the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have Dream Speech"


Live Streaming by Ustream.TV

Imani, The Drill Team and Me

Ok so what am I to do? Last night was the first night for Imani to perform with the Cardinal Drill Team. It was a home game which was a good thing and so I decided to sit this one out since they were only performing during game breaks and I don't do football that well.

I figured that the game should have been over at about 8 or so but she did not call me until 10 o'clock last night!

I was livid, Lili and KJ were asleep already and I was working on a project at the time that she called. I had been anxiously awaiting her call which came two hours after the game should have ended. Mmmmmmmm I'm not feeling this.

Well the game had just ended, parents were picking up kids, families and fans of the Camden Fairview Cardinals were leaving the game and I could not find my child. So not good. Eventually she walks up and admits she had been waiting on me at the front of the building so I would not have to sit in the horrid traffic in the back of the school.

While on the ride home I am trying to figure out how this is going to affect my work schedule and how I am going to have to work around her drill team schedule of events, my work schedule which includes Lili's book series, the swap meet and other things I do? I told Imani she may have to find something else to do and get off this drill team thing because it was affecting everyone at the house. I had to get KJ and Lili up out of bed since there is no one home but me to see about them, get them in car seats and booster seats to drive five miles to come and pick her up from this game at 10 in the evening when they were in bed by 8 pm. I knew she was upset and I was thinking about when I was in school in the city, we had city buses so if you wanted to participate in extracurricular activities you just got on the bus so it could take you where you needed to go. Period. Mommy or Daddy did not have to pick you up you just went. But then this is a tiny town where the whole community is about football season, basketball season, and track and then it starts all over again. Aaaaaaaagggggh! Then she is in choir did I mention that? But that's for a grade so she will have to go to these events.

My level of tolerance is null for this seriously. I did not know I was going to have to add limousine chauffeur to my already busy schedule of things that I do throughout the day, week or month.

As I write this I'm thinking and thinking hoping that as I write I come up with ways to make this work for everyone involved.

See here is the problem that I'm having, the late games and the late chauffeuring I am going to have to do. So not feeling that especially with the small kids and the fact that she is in all Advanced Placement classes. Mind you she is only one of a handful of African American students with ALL AP classes. I don't want her focus to just be on just the social activities for school.

I know she is disappointed but with my busy schedule and her adding to it with all these after school activities, it takes away from the time I need to be working to make money and since I work from home every minute counts literally.

As the cooler months come upon us it will be dressing kids to get them out in the cold to go pick up one child who won't get back from games until late. I'm not so sure about all of this.

Imani for all that I hear other parents going through around here is a good, good kid and I know she really wants to do this whole dance team thing but you know at what cost to the family is this going to have or am I just being a mean horrid, selfish parent who does not want to compromise and bend?

Any suggestions?

I Just Love This Movie!

Get The Popcorn Ready!
I know I show a lot of video here but this movie is so hilarious! I just love Eddie Murphy! I thought that I would post it here and let others enjoy it too!
I actually took my laptop on its little table into the bathroom with me and relaxed to this movie after everyone was asleep. It was awesome and quite relaxing.
So grab some me time for yourself and watch a good movie like this one right now! You will be glad that you did.

Eating Clean

Has anyone ever seen this book? I saw this book about a year ago and thought hey that looks interesting since I need to be thinking about taking better care of myself and losing some weight in the mean time. So I finally bought that darn thing. Read it from cover to cover and started that night packing my meals for the next day.
It seemed simple enough. Just eat six small meals per day consisting of proteins and carbohydrates so that you don't go hungry. It also talks about how much water we need to be drinking. For me since I was a trainer back in my younger days after leaving entertainment this was like a refresher course but all in all the book is a winner for me.
It encourages weight training as well as an integral part of the program which to be quite honest with you is not that hard.

So I pulled out my weights and all my exercise equipment and videos ummmmmm lets see:

1. treadmill - check
2. stepper - check
3. weights - 2-35 lbs - check
4. Firm Transfirmer - check
5. Firm Weight set - check
6. Billy Blanks Tae Bo DVDS - check
7. Slim In 6 - check
8. P90x - check
9. Weider Weight Bench - check
10. supplements - check
....my goodness I have a mini gym cause there is more stuff!

But I pulled it all out lined it up cleaned it off and decided that I would get going on something each day to go with the clean eating. With everything that I have to work with boredom should not be an issue.
It's been about a month that I have been eating clean and I've lost about 7lbs, all with very little effort really. That makes Mamma very happy indeed.
Well I will keep you all posted on how it goes cause I'm going to find some place fabulous I want to vacation in and get ready to show it off.

Wish me luck!

Mamma

One Day At A Time Episode 8 "All The Way"

Julie and Ann face one of the most critical times in their lives -- Julie must come to terms with being a woman, and Ann with being a mother.

Boo Boo Alert: Babies Fall

Ok I'm back cause I have something to say today. KJ my little guy who is about 17 months old fell yesterday. He fell and has a cut on his forehead. I freaked and when I freaked he freaked. My dad had to calm me down so I could really focus on him and get him the attention that he needed. Once the bleeding stopped and he was clean with Neosporin and a Band-aid and a bit of children's Tylenol, he was off running again.
Well me being the faithful partner that I am when his dad called from the ship to say hi and chat I told him what happened. He basically is telling me that I'm not watching him, I'm too busy with other things. He gets so upset he says he will "call me back". Mmm ok I turn off the phone and have not turned it back on until I have calmed down.

Men sometimes have no idea what it takes to keep a house running and a career. My partner is one one them. To that I say this: ( know some of you can relate)

1. I am here with these children 24 hours per day.
2. Somethings happen like falls, scrapes, accidents thats called life.
3. Daddy is on a ship and has no idea what this child is really doing on a day to day basis like keeping me running all day long to keep him out of things. Now if he falls and gets up ok. If he falls and doesn't THEN there is a problem that need medical attention right away or just a scooping up of the little person and some hugs and kisses to soothe and hurt ego.

I am trying to handle this the best I know how and that is silence right now while I think about how to communicate to my partner that he should never question my skills as a parent especially since he is not here, I do a darn good job of keeping my business, the house, bills and everything together and keep everyone happy all while tap dancing. No I'm kidding on that.
So the cell phone will stay off for now until I feel like I want to chat with daddy again. For now I just need to say to all parents who think that children will go through life without a bump or a bruise of any kind, you are sadly mistaken. They will fall physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually all through life and in all instances there will be some we can help them heal from and others we will only be able to stand on the sidelines and hold their hand as they maneuver through to thier own lives.

Thats all I have to say about that.

Til next time

Mamma

One Day At A Time Episode 7

David presses Ann into having a party so she can meet new people, and when Ann leaves Schneider out of her plans, she discovers there's much more to him than meets the eye.

So I've Been Busy

Boy what a bust last couple of weeks for me here. I know some of you can relate to what I'm talking about what with school just starting for the children. I had to take Imani and Lili to Pine Bluff for shopping details. And Timeka flew down to see Lili off to school and to braid Imani's hair for her. We had a ball it was wonderful to have all four of my children home with me for a whole week. It seems odd that I have child that is old enough to vote1 Wow. But she is still my child and I am proud of her.
Not much for me to say today so I will keep it short and sweet. School is back and it is just me and KJ now that they are back in school. So I am adjusting to him being so busy. Kevin will be home soon from the ship and I plan on not working on my blog for a while til he is back on the ship again....well unless I have something I have to say. lol
I'll be posting the next episode of One Day At A Time Today and Tomorrow to make up for the two Mondays I missed so have fun with that!
Oh and one last thing,....Christmas is right around the corner are you getting ready?

Til next time

Mamma

One Day At A Time Episode 5

One Day At A Time
David Loves Ann

Newly-divorced Ann Romano is thrown into an emotional turmoil by David's proposal of marriage. Ann's dilemma is not made easier by her "helpful" advisors



Alright guys last week was busy week for me but I had so many things going on what with back to school and Lili graduating from preschool and the swap meet merchandise. But here is the latest in the series of One Day At A Time

What About Our Daughters?: First Black Disney Princess In Theaters Christmas 2009- Trailer

Disney's New Movie!

Now, I don't know about any of you but this is exciting for me. Some of you may be able to relate and some of you may not but I must tell this and shout it. I have a a five year old in my house that calls herself "Princess Aaliyah". She flits around the house all day on Saturdays or at the swap meet or where ever and call herself "Princess Aaliyah". So I am out looking for princess stuff for her room as she grows out of her Dora stage. Now she wants to wear all the jewels and shoes and things that the movies tell us that princesses wear. The only thing I couldn't do was answer once question, "are there some brown princesses Mother?" Wow that took me out of myself for a moment because what is a five year old doing asking that question? At that age is she that impressionable? Am I not doing enough to make her world better in terms of how she feels about herself that what was not done for me?
My generation made it clear that there were certain things I could never be because I had brown skin. Like I could never be beautiful, there would be no prince for me, there would be no happy endings. Least that's what I was told cause I would spend my life working twice as hard as my white counterparts just to be considered equal and I would not get credit for what I did. If I ever asked why my parents answer was, "That's just the way it is"
So over time it was straighteners in the hair and bleaching creams and colored contacts. But I still was brown but I am proud now. I want to teach that to my little one coming up now so she will know if she wants to be a princess, hey great, because one day she could be the next president of the United States or a mom if that is her choice you know?
So with that said I am happy to say that there is a new movie coming out in 2009 that I must go see with my child.
I am so happy to see that Disney is paying attention to all of the colors of the rainbow and since I know there will be a big media, marketing and merchandising blitz behind it, Mamma will be buying some of the brown princesses to take home.

So here is the clip. I hope that we all come out and see this movie.




What About Our Daughters?: First Black Disney Princess In Theaters Christmas 2009- Trailer#links#links

One Day At A Time Episode 4

Alright this is the next installment in the One Day At A Time series!

Chicago Rendezvous
Ann Romano, 17 years married and 10 months divorced, meets a handsome airline pilot who has some lofty ideas -- and Ann thinks she's ready to fly.




I am so there right now. No no not seeing someone but the fact that suitors still come knocking at my door. But in my situation I follow the 80/20 rule. Right now I have an 80 in my life so why in the world would I want to give up this 80 (Kevin) for a 20? 80 means that everyone has issues and problems including me but overall they are a great person and loving and caring and giving in a relationship a 20 hey they are just there.
Let's just say that I'm not not not going to go there it doesn't even deserve discussion....at all.

ROFL.....

Enjoy this episode.

Mamma

I Ain't Kimora But I Can Relate

I absolutely love this show. Why? Because I know what Kimora Lee Simmons is going through on a day to day basis with trying to run a business and raise her children all in the same breath.
There is an episode of her show that I love. (well that's all of them really) but this one reminds me of what I am going through right now with my swap meet. Right now I have purchased advertising and banners and paid for all kinds of colorful things and radio ads that I need to STILL pay for right now but they have been gracious. All of these things have been in an attempt to get vendors to come out and RENT space in this building for only guess what? TEN DOLLARS per day! That's it. I actually dropped the price because there were people who said they would do it at that price because they just couldn't see paying more per day for space. But I'm thinking to myself "How can you tell me what you are going to pay when right now you don't even have store space you are selling out of your homes and the trunks of yours cars!"
This is insane to me, especially since this building is prime real estate right now with the Super Walmart being built and the highway my building is next to is right near major highway and they are about to expand it.
Now sadly I must get creative, I'm not going to give up I'm just going to do something different for now. I am going to purchase items that I know will sell here and place the items into booths as if they were vendors. I'm going to go out there and sell with the help of Imani and her buds and they will make a cut from the sales of the day.
Maybe people just want to see things popping off before they even think about bringing their own items down here for sale.
In this snippet Kimora is trying to have her staff set up a surprise birthday party for Russell but no one has confirmed that they will be there. How nerve wracking can that be for anyone no matter what level of business that you are in. You want people to respond to what you a bringing them. You want them to get it.
I don't have the Kimora budget nor the fame to back up what she is selling but I'm not going to give up on this. I am going to see this swap meet and my children's book series become successful it may just take me a while. All with my children going along for the ride.
I'm just going to say stay tuned

Mamma

Back To School

Ahhhhhh that most wonderful time of year is finally upon us as parents or guardians once again.
School is about to begin once again. What's funny is I begin to think about all of the things that have gone on so far this year and what this means to me as a mamma.
Well here they are:

1. Time to get kids registered for school once again so all next week it will be all about my college student, my high school student and my new kindergartner getting set up. Along with me having my six things to do list in tow and my laptop and my cell phone and the swap meet and the back to school rally I was called upon to assist with...I have a busy week. Wonder where I am going to get the time to work out or do laundry (oh shivers did I just mention that again?)
2. Time to buy school clothes and school supplies once again for at least one of them namely Lili. Imani worked and braided hair all weekend and daddy Mr Universal Records South.....will be pitching in. Timeka has a full time job and will be coming to visit us for a week before she starts cosmetology school. Did I mention how high that is now? $17,000 for the best school in Wisconin. so I told her while she is here she might as well check out the school in Hot Springs. We can book a condo for a couple days that has high speed and then check it out.
3. Back to school means that KJ and I will be the only ones in the house for about ten hours or actually at the swap meet. So my PA (Imani) will not be around which will allow me time to add more to my plate. But when she comes home I will have a list of things she can do to make some money from me.
4. Back to school mean less money spent on groceries since everyone will be in school there will be just dinner and breakfast really that Mamma will have to deal with.
5. Time to get ready for the holidays already. I know I know what you are thinking but seriously, before you know it, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be upon us and this year I don't plan on being the one looking crazy trying to find last minute sales for the kids when I can start NOW! (hint for everyone reading this blog post too)

I got his cute little book in the mail from both Wal-mart and Sam's for back to school for the college student called "Off To College", but you know what there are a lot fo cool little things in there for any person really. Like the Dell laptops that are on sale or the kitchen appliances. I am sure that those sales are for everyone and not just for someone with a University ID right? Hope not because I know I will be making a stop to my local Walmart to get a few things. (did i tell you guys that we don't have a Super Walmart here? We won't get one until next year spring whoo hooo can't wait)

Hmmmm now that sounds like I need to look into some stock in Walmart if I'm that excited. I think thats going on my six list this week.......gotta go work out guys then off to work.

Till next time.

(ps those pictures are of Lili, Timeka and Imani in school or getting ready)

(pps now what is Imani doing in that bathroom hands on her hips? 4.0 A.P. Student though can't complain)

Mamma

Another Busy Day!

I'm sitting blogging to you from my new location for the SwapMeet that I am starting here. You know it is quite challenging to try to start this new venture, pay for advertising and take the kids everywhere that I go. But somehow I get it done.
The hardest thing that I have to do right now is make sure that they are fed when we are at the building so I brought a cooler from home with precooked meals based on Tosca Reno's book The Eat Clean Diet. Fresh apples and veggies were on the menu along with grilled tuna that I bought in the little packages and loads of fresh water since right now it's like 103 degrees and the air conditioner in here is only on in part of the building. So we are trying to keep KJ and Lili in the offices where they can keep cool. Yeah right, they are not going to stay in there long what with so much happening with set up.
Imani is helping paint and put up the wallpaper border in the soon to be barber shop, I had a speaking engagement today and I have just put the final touches on that speech. But when I get there they have not even gotten all parties together to hear me speak. So I decided to just let my hostess know that when they are ready for me just call at leas ten minutes before since the venue is not far from where I am right now with the swap meet.
There is also a place to rent UHauls here and a car shop for detailing, wash bay and insurance repairs and claims can be done here too. But here is what is exciting for me as not mom but just me.
I have an office or two or three I have free reign in to do what I want. So of course one will be my office, the other office will be for the online broadcasting that we will be doing. Yep online broadcasting on my Camden website. We are still working on it and tweaking all the things we want.
Now in the midst of all of this I started moving my work from home stuff with me on my laptop so I can set up and work up here in silence. Which is cool so while this is still in the infancy stages I can be working just as much and be making money while this grows. I like that. I don't have to miss a beat.
Well,....one thing ........all that laundry now who in the world is going to do that? \

Til next time

Mamma