Surprise!!!

I love an unexpected surprise! On Tuesday, I had a really crappy day! My car wouldn't start in a parking lot and I almost got a speeding ticket while driving home from work in hubby's vehicle. All I was thinking was that I just wanted to be in the comfort of my own home with the people I love the most in the world.  I really wasn't in the best mood...that is compounded by some work drama I can't discuss on here right now because you never know who might be reading. (#ocassionaltactfulblogger)

Well yesterday was a better day in many respects. The best occurrence was that my loving husband surprised me with a little gift that I had been desiring for a while. If you know me, you know my philosophy is, "Give the people what they want!" I received a very nice Pandora bracelet with four very fitting charms. They represent several things I care about...God, family, and love.  Let me just say how thankful and surprised and happy I was by my husband's gesture.  Gotta have those little moments. If you are ever in doubt about what to buy me, I will need charms. www.pandora.net.

Men Behaving.......Badly!!!!

This is gonna be a quick rant!!! Too much press has been wasted on this subject, but I just need to get this off my own chest. Men(and I use this term lightly),  learn how to handle your business correctly and take responsibility for your stupid actions. I am so damn sick of you all making a mockery of your marriage, wives, church, and the public in general. I mean seriously!!!

Your political position, your pastoral position, celebrity position, nor your lack of satisfaction in your current relationship give you the right to behave improperly. Anthony Weiner was a weenie when he publicly denied that he sent the pictures and had been hacked. Really now! I said he was lying immediately and of course I was right. Who could gain from that financially? I mean that is usually the reason for hacking some one's account, isn't it. Now he keeps showing up on television talking about he isn't resigning because he is doing the work of his constituents. Wasn't that what he was supposed to be doing when he sent the pictures out? Eddie Long pastor of one of the largest megachurches in the country settles out of court. If you aren't guilty, you go and fight to clear your name. Now there is a whole group of people who are all confused about their Christianity. Why, because instead of knowing that God is the true shepherd they placed their religiosity in a mere man. Then we have Creflo Dollar(and who takes someone with that name seriously) telling disenchanted members of Eddie Long's church that they aren't welcome at his church because men fall and we should stand in the gap and support them. BULL!!!! Creflo is wrong. This could be extremely detrimental to a young/new believer, especially if they are already confused about spiritual things. Well ultimately, Dollar telling you to go elsewhere is a blessing in disguise because he probably has his own issues, I mean his wife's name is Taffi. (SMH)

Ahh then there is Arnold....He has a child with the maid. Maria Shriver, a Kennedy, wasn't enough for him. Lust and greed are true examples of pride resulting in public humiliation and a fall from grace.  Oh, then there is LeBron. Yes, I know the Clevelander's have taken hatred of him to a whole nother level but I am not one of them. He had a right to go to another team, how he did it is where I believe the real issue lies. The public announcement on live television was a bit over the top. After all the hype, Miami Heat was unsuccessful in securing the NBA Championship and a ring for LeBron. Instead of LeBron being humbled and moving on he showed his ass and acted like one too. Suck it up. While I am on the subject, I am not sure about Tracy Morgan. I do feel that if you are a comedian, you can get away with saying a lot of things, call it comedic license. Is it possible to go too far? Is there a point where comedians have to be socially responsible. Just wondering?

Okay, I am pretty much done. I am simply tired of the media spending time on such reprehensible behavior. We are responsible for our own actions. When we do something wrong, we should fully expect to pay the price. No one is exempt. NO ONE! Every one if these is a perfect example of why your child's best role model should be right there in the home with them. As responsible adults, we can use each of the men discussed in this blog as a teachable moment. Every action has consequences and there is always fallout and silent victims. An important lesson also is that what is done in the dark will ALWAYS come to light. Losing is inevitable at some point. Take your loss with humility and purpose to do better next time. There is always another game. That being said, I am done with the matter. I don however reserve the right to take up the subject later if necessary. Till next time, enjoy the blessed life that you have been given. God doesn't make mistakes! Peace!

Copyright June 15, 2011 by Pamela Cole Thorpe

Happy Birthday, To Me!!!

As my birthday is coming to a close, I am reflecting on the past year and my life in general. I am so blessed with a loving and supportive family, great friends who are like family, and more acquaintances than I can mention. There is nothing like having a wonderful group of people to help you through this strange thing called life. I love my husband and children. They make me laugh and scream and cry and pray. They give me balance and they throw me off balance. I couldn't imagine anyone else filling my days. They make me want to be a better person. They make me pray for a better world filled with opportunity and true equality.

My mom is one of my biggest cheerleaders. I am thankful that I am at a point in my life where I can actually say that we are truly friends and confidantes. I realize now how many sacrifices she made to give my brother and I a life of quality. She invested her time and talents, her resources were often lacking. It made such a difference in our character and values. Both my brother and I are better parents because of her example. I try to make sure that she knows that I love her and I really am appreciative of her willingness to invest and build children who are making a mark on their corners of the world. It goes without saying, that my grandmother made a major impression on my life as well. That Gemini woman quietly imprinted my life in ways I can't even put on paper. I have aunts who play a special part in my life and now those of my children too. I really do come from a strong stock of women. I carry a part of each of them with me.

I know I have written about my friends in previous posts but let me just say that I have some ride or die friends. I have women in my life who pray for me, check me, and uplift me. They support me through all kinds of crazy moments and happy moments. They too make me a better person. They have loved me through good times and bad. They check my children and sometimes my hubby too. They get me. I hope I bless them as much as they bless me.

So....God has blessed me with good people whom I wouldn't trade in for the world. Really, He has blessed me with a good life. I have done some great things. I wish I had done some things differently. I wish I had learned some lessons sooner rather than later. I can't even comment on the number things that I wish I had not said. I have made mistakes. In spite of it all, I get up every day and purpose to be a better person. My dad's motto was "Life to the fullest, no regrets!" Really it should be all of our mottoes. We should live each day to the fullest and when we reach the end, we should have few, if any, regrets. Sometimes, we have to smile even though we wanna cry and sometimes we need to let the tears flow. We need to reach out to others and encourage them on their life journey. You really never know when the lessons you've learned will empower and help somebody else. 

I know me better than anyone else. I am strong. I am kind. I am loving. I am prayerful. I am confident. I am every woman(in my Chaka Khan voice). I was born for a purpose. I haven't done all I plan to do. I love people and I want to see the best in them. I want to live out God's plan for me life. I want to continue to be honest and trustworthy. A great wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend and whatever other roles I play are also what I strive to be. 

So as I embrace turning 29 again, I place certain challenges upon myself. As always, to be a woman God can use. To be more healthy, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I am not going to allow people to impose their ideas of who I should be upon me. I am comfortable in my skin. I will always remain true and faithful to a set of core values. I am a person of my word. I am not given to following the crowd. What may look crazy to you, may be normal for me. I remain extremely prayerful. Chante is going to high school in September and that is a whole new world of parenting for us. I have no problem burdening others to pray for us and to intervene if necessary. Each day, I take stock of the people and influences in my life. If they aren't right or are causing excessive negative energy, they get the boot. Life is too short for folks who drain you in every interaction. So these things being said(and yes, I really could go on some more), I wish myself a very Happy Birthday! I thank God for the things He has done in this year and I welcome the challenges and blessings of the year to come. I only pray that I remember to seek His face and  that I remember when I am in the midst of a storm, that it too shall pass. Here's to another year of good living. Ciao!

Copyright June 3, 2011 by Pamela Cole Thorpe

Business Promotion!!!

Summer is just about here. I know all of you have not made all of your travel plans. Please check out www.dreamy destinations.net or www.facebook.com/DreamyDestin8ns  for excellent travel deals. You can book your travel or take advantage of the specials offered there. Dreamy Destinations is my husband's travel business. We want to increase our clients and now is a good time to push for it. Tell your mother, cousin, neighbors and friends. He is thorough, honest, and had a passion for travel. We can't be successful, without a little help from you. One chance is all anyone ever needs. Don't forget to like us on Facebook and tell 3 friends to do the same.