So much has happened this month, I almost didn’t get a chance to create with my first favorite child. She and I see things we like or want, and first ask ourselves, Can I make or do that myself? before buying it. Thing 1 even does her own nails because she recognized early that nail upkeep is expensive, and she didn’t want to use her allowance to support it (and mom wasn’t going to pay for it either). 🙂
Today’s creation stemmed from a centerpiece I saw on Facebook…
I thought it was the cutest idea, and I immediately showed Thing 1 to get her thoughts. Then, I asked her, Think we can recreate that?#UhhhYeah She was excited and on board, so I was happy to take on this challenge with her.
Me being sick got in the way of getting this done. And at the buzzer, I remembered we bought all the fix-ins, but never put it together. Sooo, we took this evening to do it. And I must say, WE DID GOOOOD!
That’s my kid stretching them arms trying to get a top down photo!
Having Thing 2 in quarantine meant she didn’t get to experience the joy that comes from all of Zylo’s shenanigans. We bought in to the Elf on the Shelf concept as a fun way to countdown to Christmas. And Zylo does NOT disappoint! This year, though, we bought her a new friend to add to her crew…
Snoop on the Stoop
When my SIL showed me Snoop, I was SOLD! Talk about doing it for the culture! He has been the most welcomed holiday addition this year. The gift that will keep on giving, beyond when the kids outgrow the elves!
Today, I saw an idea for how to stage Zylo and Snoop. It was a picture of the elf stuck in a pool using saran wrap to cover a sink. This scene brought me so much joy, I just had to. Since Thing 1 is in the know, she helped me stage. When Thing 2 woke up this morning, she woke up to THIS…
I was searching for blue lights, but red will have to do!
Thing 2 got the biggest laugh out of this! And that laugh, is what I do it all for!
Today is my day 12, even thought I am no longer counting. It is officially Thing 2’s day nine. Guess what…
Thing 2 tested OUT of the joint! #SheMadeIt #ThankGod #ItWasGettingStuffyInHere #SheWasStartingToResentMyAbilityToLeaveTheRoom
Today was supposed to be our family dental visit day, but since Thing 2 and I were in question, I rescheduled us. This was a bummer for me. I look forward to getting my teeth cleaned. When I leave, there is zero evidence of the wine, coffee, or tea I frequented during the previous 6 months. But anywho, I will not be responsible for ruining anyone’s holiday, so now, I focus on what I can do…disinfect and clean!
I spent the day washing, sanitizing, and turning my room back into my retreat, AKA de-Thing2ing my room! Thing 2 spent the day making up for not being around her sister. It’s like she took inventory of all the ways she could pester her, and chose the hour after she tested out to get it allllll in! #OhYeah #ThisWasLifeBeforeQuarantine #CheckPlease
Now that life is back, time to join those late holiday shoppers and finish Christmas shopping! #ThisHurts #ThePlannerInMeIsDryHeaving#OkKawandra #YouGotThis
I was able to test out of the joint today! Thing 2 is still in the joint, though. She is trailing behind me by about 3 days, so her time is coming soon…I hope! And I am really operating in good behavior mode. I will still go to sleep in the joint, up until Thing 2 tests negative.
I worked out of my office today. I felt like that was a privilege I took advantage of up until this point. It felt good to sit upright, have calls where my camera is actually ON, wear my Chicago Bulls Christmas sweater, and get some joy out of seeing the Christmas decorations I love so much! I even have a setup behind my desk so that I can bring the Christmas spirit to every call. #BringingJoyMakesMeHappy #ItsTheLittleThings
An added bonus, I got to participate in the Superintendent Insights Group session. It’s an opportunity to have a voice for what will best serve my kiddos in the school district. It is also a chance to have a positive impact on change, which is all I ever want to do in this life. So, being able to be truly present for this meeting refilled my cup! #TryingToFulfillMyPurpose
When I got back to my quarantine room, in true Thing 2 fashion, I noticed she too left quarantine. Because I was working downstairs, she had no constant supervision to make sure she stayed put. So, she went back and forth to her room and brought more stuffed animals, a drawer full of markers, coloring books, and slime…all to add to rest of her stay. #MyPoorChild #TheFloorIsCovered #SheDoesNotCare #SheHasMovedIn #PleaseTellMeSheDidNotLickHerSistersDoor
Welp, it has been a full day! Time to shut my eyes and pray I don’t step on anything going to the bathroom! #NightNight
I am a doer! It takes something like this to get me to sit down, and so this is all new to me. The family is stepping up, bringing me whatever I need, and continuing their lives on the other side of my door. #Sad #ButTheyAreEquipped #IHelpedDoThat
Thing 2 is missing her mommy, though. She left me a note at my door that told me how much she misses and loves me. She told me she cannot wait for me to get better. #MyStrongWilledZeroFoxGivenKidStoppedForAMomentToMakeMyDay
To ensure the family was still healthy, they have been testing every couple of days. Tonight was another test night. I did not expect them to pop positive, but I did realize it was possible. Just…didn’t…see…it…coming…TONIGHT!
When I tell you I was heartbroken, I was HEARTBROKEN! Then, Thing 2 busted open my door, went to her room to get her stuff, then ran back and slid by the door (Tom Cruise, Risky Business style) and said, Yessssssssssss! I missed you! I missed my baby, AND had no intention on seeing her in quarantine. I had to ask, though…What? Did you lick the door?
I saw she had her pillows, blankets, and a thousand squishmallows. I asked her, did you bring some clothes? Drawz? Your toothbrush? She said, Oh!#MyPoorChild
Thing 2 got settled in. The hubby and I have geriatric beds, so she took my side of the bed, grabbed my remote, and adjusted the back of the bed so that she can sit upright and watch some TV with me. She was happy to be reunited with me AND to be able to stay home from school. This was her first time having COVID too, so while I was happy to have company, I was a little uneasy to see how rough it would be for her. But in that adjustable bed moment, my heart was full!
After coming home from the Usher high, I was exceptionally tired. It was so great to see my babies, as always, and it felt good to have my mom be able to watch them again since she missed out on so much in the thick of COVID. I was still cautious, though. I tested when I got home, and I stayed masked until my mom left yesterday afternoon. And it was right before she left that I started to feel off.
I woke up today feeling congested, off, and with my biggest fear. I immediately took a test, and unsurprisingly, it was POSITIVE! I removed myself from the primary bedroom and fell out on the guest bed. Then, more fear! I was just around my mom and was willing to bet she was within 6 feet of me. All I could do was cry, and make the call to her I feared all throughout the pandemic. #ForeverHerProtector
Immediately, my mom knew. I told her I tested positive and that I was less concerned about being ok and more concerned that she was around me long enough to get it too. She will forever be immunocompromised now (same with my dad since he is diabetic), and her and my dad have managed to steer clear of COVID. Now, I could have brought something detrimental to their health into their home. My mom, being the mom that she is, kept telling me that she was going to be ok. She said that God has her (why she gotta go there…I know), and all I have to do is focus on getting better. Then, she went deeper into mom mode and asked what she could do to help. #MyMomIsAWarrior #SheIsFearlessWhenItComesToHerKids
After I collected myself, it was now time to activate THE PLAN! Oh, y’all know I am not new to this, but true to this. I will get out a good cry, but after that I tend to have the suck it up buttercup mentality. Having traveled twice, I planned for this outcome and how we would mobilize the family if one or both of us came down with COVID. The only shocker, the hubby told me to say in the primary bedroom. Wait…what? He was sent to the basement during his COVID bout, surely it is only fair that I do the same. Then it tracked…he said, well, I work down there and it just makes sense for me to pack up some clothes and let you have the room. Sweet, right? Sure, but he also games down there, sooooooooo…
Anywho, I’m in quarantine! For the first time since COVID made its first appearance, I tested positive.
Ever since the days of Can You Get Wit It, I have been a huge fan of Usher. Back then, it was more because he was around my age…and I was boy crazy!
As time passed, he has continued to NOT disappoint. Hit after hit, I was more in awe of his talent, and in love with this image of who he was through his music. #HeMadeMeWanna #TakeItNiceAndSlow #ThenTworkItOut #LikedItMyWay #ToldMeIDidn’tHaveToCall #LaidOutHisConfessions #RemindedMe #ToLetItBurn #GotMeCaughtUp #InTheseBadHabits #SoMuchICouldScream #BecauseThereWasNoLimit #CuzHe’dAlwaysBeMyBoo #ThenMyBoyfriend #ToldMeWe’dBeLoversAndFriends #SinceTheDJGotUsFallingInLove #OMG! #ThosePapers #TheLoveInTheClub #ThrewUpThePeaceSign #AndNeverWastedMyTime #SoWeRemainedGoodGood #AllWhileStandingNextToMe #AndDoingNothingWithoutMe
Fast forward to last year, when I heard he was going to be next up for a Las Vegas residency. I was like, now THIS man may get me on a plane for the first time since COVID.
Sadly, the residency came and went, and I wrote off being able to see him. I was content…sad…but content. THEN, it was like he felt my hurt…EXTRA SHOWS were added to his residency through the end of 2023.
Now, there are certain moments where you can say, I know where I was when… This was that! When I found this out, I set a reminder in my calendar to get my tickets AS SOON as they went on sale.
That Friday came, I was getting off work early, and the hubby asked if I wanted to go to lunch with him. I admit, I thought a little longer about going out to lunch during GO TIME, but I went ahead and accepted the lunch invitation. GO TIME came, and I started holding my place in line for several tickets as I worked with the hubby on which day to go. After we figured that out, I was putting my shoes on at the door, iPad in hand. I got in the passenger seat (can’t place this ticket order and drive!), and went through the steps to complete my order while the hubby drove us to lunch. I was not the best passenger or wife on the ride to lunch. I was laser focused on accomplishing the mission, and by the time we got to the restaurant…#ORDERCOMPLETED!
Fast forward again to December 2, 2023! After a night flight to Vegas, some casual walking around the Strip, and lunch at The Watch Bar, it was time!
Here are photos from one of the most memorable moments of my life…the day I got to see my 2nd hubby at his BESTshow to date!
Now, I tried really hard to remain masked to protect myself. But needless to say, all my COVID rules went out the window when it was time to sing! #CaughtUp
I could not be more humble and grateful for the opportunity to see Usher in this capacity. I see him every time he comes to Chicago, but this was a once-in-a-lifetime show. #UsherLasVegas #MyWay#HeStillMakesMeWanna
I had quite the transformative experience at my first ADCOLOR conference! And to think, I almost didn’t go, just because I had not flown since June 2019 and was still scared of catching COVID. BUT…I went, and couldn’t be more grateful for the experience. This year’s theme was Double Down, Double Up!
ADCOLOR champions DEI in the ad industry, and makes it a point to educate and honor those leading in this space. Their sessions this year ranged from the importance of telling your story, thriving as a black female entrepreneur, DEI and AI, safety in the DEI space, how to keep up-skilling, and so much more. There was so much value being in the midst of all of the ADCOLOR champions and leaders. #ForeverChanged
It was a welcomed bonus to get a chance to see some famous people!
As if the sessions weren’t enough, they held an awards ceremony. This was what I imagine the Oscars to look and feel like. Don’t worry, I’ll share some pictures below. The atmosphere was AMAZING! And this was the first time I had a reason to get all dolled up in years. I mean, I actually got to pick clothes from that side of my closet. What a way to close out the conference! Oh…and there was an after party too! I have never been anywhere where they played ALLLLL my jams! #ItsLikeTheyKnowMe
Aside from ADCOLOR, I got a chance to get out with the hubby to explore LA. It wasn’t for long, but we made the most of the hours we had. I must say, I realize California is expensive and all, but it was winking at me. Like, calling my name and asking me to come back and stay a while. I don’t know what to make of that feeling yet, but it is not lost on me. Who knows, maybe the Golden State will be a large part of my life one day! #IFeltPeace #IFeltCalm #IFeltASenseOfBelonging
Now that I am home, I have been finding ways to share what I learned with any and everyone who will listen. I think that’s the point, right? We should all strive to be the vessel. Well, guess it’s time for me to Double Down so I can Double Up!
Back when we were teenagers, my brother and I would always throw my mom a surprise party. As I have mentioned, her birthday is Halloween. We would make sure to set the scene to scare her as best as we could. When I reflect on that, I think, these kids BETTER NOT do that to me! Between my heart and my bladder, something WILL fail!
It has been a while since I felt comfortable having my mom around big crowds, even if it is extended family. This year, though, I wanted to see her happy again. That outweighed my concern!
So, I set out for an unforgettable night. I think I succeeded. Here is where it all started…her scared to come to the door when she saw the smoke in front of the house…
After she got over the fear and entered the building, it was all love and laughs!
I guess we have to do this again next year! I feel like a teen again!
Here’s another gem I dropped for my team, The Cookies…
I LOVE these little motivational gems…
#FacebookDoesNotDisappoint
I tell ya, Iced Oatmeal and Nutella are GOOD FOR ME!
I am so grateful to work alongside the two of you. You both bring your unique knowledge, perspective, and ideas to the team. You help fuel me to be a better manager each day. #YouBothLightMeUp
I don’t take it for granted that you all have options. But day in and day out, you show up for yourselves and for the team every day! We would not be where we are without you two!
Keep on doing what you do! And never forget how much light you bring to me and this team!
