Trayvon Martin

Over the last few weeks, America and the media have been on fire over the recent verdict in the Trayvon Martin case. People are protesting and boycotting the state of Florida. I have not spoken out but rather listened and read the opinions of others. This post is not to influence others but my OPINION. You are welcomed to post your own.

Do I think that George Zimmerman was guilty? Yes, I do. I do not question that one bit.

 Did I think he was going to be found guilty? No, I didn’t.  I have been let down too many times to expect anything different.

Did I think the prosecution did their job? No, they did not find justice for Trayvon or any other black child that this horrible act happens too.

Will I boycott Florida? No, I will not. My family lives in Florida. Despite this tragedy, I still have a family to love on. Plus they still have to live and work in Florida. It makes sense on the bigger scale to not vacation in Florida but I can’t all together avoid the state.

Do I agree with those boycotting and protesting? Protesting, I agree 100%. We have to use our voice that we worked so hard to get. However, let’s keep these protests peaceful so that we can heard. Don’t tear down your own neighborhood.  That’s what history tells us we don’t go into the politician and law makers’ neighborhood and tear shit up so why do it in our own neighborhoods. We are left mad because they don’t want to come and clean up OUR mess.  So let’s focus on getting the issues on the table and making meaningful changes for us and our children.

Boycotting- I applaud the celebrities for taking a stand. As stated above, I will visit Florida. I don’t have to support the tourist attractions. I want those around me to understand that boycotting Florida means that you want to see a change and not a trend.  A young man (child) was killed by an overzealous neighborhood watchman (coward) and he twisted the law to save himself. Now the media is strategically setting him to save lives when he could have spared Trayvon’s. We should question his morals.

What do I want to see happen?  I want to see law changes and people uniting because we do have a problem in America.  We need to take a closer look at who we vote into office. These people are the ones saying these laws are ok. I know …the President. Remember he is voted in based on electoral votes and not the popular vote like our Congress and Senate. Pay attention to what they are saying. Are they speaking in favor of your views? If not get someone in who will have a voice for those they represent.

I DON’T EVER WANT ANYONE TO THINK THAT IT IS OK TO SHOOT AN UNARMED CHILD BECAUSE YOU FEEL THREATEN.

Post your thoughts.

Enjoy and Smooches

Purple Cocoa.

Snatching it Back!!

I am officially out of the 180s!! I am 178. So what if it’s only 2 pounds! I don’t have to say 180 anymore. I felt so good! I felt even better when I weighed in and it said that I was 179 on my monthly cycle. That was an even bigger achievement! Typically I can gain anywhere to 5 to 7 pounds on my cycle so I was a little nervous to weigh. But I tell you when I DID THAT!  So this boot camp thing is working.

Over the last two weeks we tackled the biggest issue …eating. We focused on making better choices. One of the biggest culprits is sugar. Hold up, Hunty! Sugar is in everything. Even if the packaging says no sugar, please trust me that some sugar may be hidden in it. So my only resort was fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats. I also added in beans and tortillas for wraps. It was hard but worth. I watched my stomach shrink. I watched my size 14 self get into a pair of 12s. Yes, I am in a 12 too! Watch this girl WERK!

Starting this journey, I was so concerned about the number on the scale instead of how I felt. Now I understand that feeling good and looking good go hand in hand. I have more energy despite getting 7 hours of sleep at night. I can think clearly. I can breathe walking up a short flight of steps. I am not winded just from talking on the phone. I am training for a run/walk in September. For me the most important thing is when I workout all those stressors I encounter during the day are gone. I can think about ME.

Snatching it back!!!

Who is snatching it back?? Me…YASS HUNTY! #werk

Like many people, January 1^st I made all kinds of promises to get healthy. I said I would eat right. I would work out 4 times a week. I would get enough sleep.  By February 1^st, I only manage to log back into my Weight Watchers account.  NO, I didn’t track any points. I had no motivation. And my clothes were getting tired.

March while scrolling through my Instagram (IG) I came across FitnessasaLifestyle. He is a local Atlanta guy who specialized in boot camp style training. He had meal and workout plans posted on his website.  I thought this is what I need but closer to home rather than downtown. I tried the meal plan for a week and lost 5 pounds. I immediately gained it back because I did not adopt the lifestyle. 

Prayers were answered! My son’s football coach wife (yep, just like that) was starting a boot camp style workout class. It was outside though. I quickly dismissed the thoughts because I don’t mind being outdoors. I dragged myself to the first official class. I brought my 3 pounds weights (total 6, turn up). She tossed them to side and gave two 15 pound weights. She asked that I pressed while I squatted. Ummm Ma’am! Excuse ma’am!  I cannot. Well she pushed and I did.

I decide to give her 3 days out the week. Now I heard all the stories and sayings: Takes 7 days to make a habit. You will notice after 30. Keep pushing. It takes time.

 My body and health did not change.

The reality is that fitness and health had to become a lifestyle.  I had to change my eating habits so I started logging into Weight Watchers every day. I tracked everything that I ate. I chose water over every other beverage. I dedicated 4 days a week to working on me and snatching it back.

Yes, this is a very slow process. I know you see pictures of woman all over the internet transform in 30 days.  It just isn’t true for every woman. It took me 4 weeks to lose 7 pounds. It took me 2 months to lose 7 inches. I have good days, bad days and days from hell. I don’t want to workout every other day. I don’t want to miss out on good food.  I am tired.

The results are worth it!!!! See pics below:

January 2013                                                                                      May 2013

May 2013                                                                                             June 2013

I don’t care about the rate I am losing weight and getting healthy. It may take 3 more months or until the end of the year.  I don’t care. I care about

“Snatching it Back”.

Starting Weight (01/13): 193 lbs

Current Weight (06/13): 182 lbs

Height: 5’1

Goal:  160 lbs

Enjoy and Smooches

Purple Cocoa.

Not Burning Bridges

Lately I have been reflecting over my so called friendships. I don’t think drama in friendship ever stops.  People change.  One of my biggest peeves in my friendship is selfishness. If I am always there for you, listening to your problems and attending your functions, but you are never there for me. You are classified as selfish. Any relationship is a two-way street. You have to give to receive and vice versa. Certain friends seem to think I am their personal psycho-therapist. They send a text or call for every issue that arises in their life. However, on very few occasions are they there for me. I send a text message and may get a reply two weeks later. WOW, really sorry I bothered you.

Do I get mad? I use to get angry. Do I give them a taste of their own medicine? No. Instead, I walk away. A few years ago I would hash it out and work hard to defend my friendship. I would shake them (not literally) until they understood what type of friend I was to them. I was childish and didn’t know better.

Now I walk away. Since I chose to walk doesn’t make them a bad person just not good to me at this point.  I do understand that people go through things. However, I go through things as well.

Trust me when I say that there is no harm and no foul. We have simply reached the end of the road. Our paths may cross again but not at this time.  You got to do you and most importantly, I have to do me.

Enjoy and Smooches

Purple Cocoa.

Never Giving Up

(Taken from my phone as I was listening)



I woke up this morning in mental chaos.  I felt like I needed an out. I had this sickening feeling in my gut. So many changes have taken place in my life over the last year that I just cannot regain control. No, I am not on the edge but I wanted to just give up. I am a control freak and need things to be in a certain order.  I have noticed that no matter how I try it doesn’t happen the way that I want it.  

While driving into work, I turned on Pandora.  They started playing Mary Mary’s Can’t Give Up Now. This is probably one of my favorite Mary Mary songs.  I needed to hear the chorus. I needed the words to speak to my heart. I wanted to give up because I didn’t have control. I wanted to throw in the towel.

“I just can’t give up now

 I’ve come too far from where I started it from

Nobody told me the road would be easy.

And I don’t believe HE brought me this far to leave me.”

Mary Mary “Can’t Give Up Now” Thankful

 These trials and tribulations that I am experiencing are part of life. Life will keep going even after I decided to give up on it. What will I gain by giving up? I have come too far. It’s not easy. And God never leaves or forsake me.  His moves will be on time, I just need to be still. It may seem like a whole lot to bear for some but it will get easier. The load will get lighter.  Trust and Believe.

Enjoy and Smooches

Purple Cocoa.

Career Woman or Working Mother: A Series

Ok, I have managed to reenter the work force approximately 3 times.  It could be more, but these last times caused me to really think about my future. I needed to know where I am headed. I have no clue. So to get me back into the swing of things I will allow you, my followers, to join me on this journey.

I have an associate, bachelors, masters and a certificate and still no career.  I went to well-known university and online schools. But yet, I still don’t have a career.

Is it really necessary to go to school and still end up with no career? Does a degree or degrees guarantee a career? In my case, the answer is NO!

I have managed to secure menial jobs here and there to support my family. I haven’t found a position that I enjoy every day or a company that I want to grow with.

But I was told that if I went to college and did well that I would succeed far more than my non-degree counterparts. Funny, I make less and been laid off more than my non-degree friends.

The only thing I have gained is a lot of students loans that will outlive me.

Let’s start there…do company’s value education? Does a degree guarantee job success? Can you start your career and earn a degree later?

Enjoy and Smooches

Purple Cocoa.