Namaste

I am a pretty laid back, flexible & gracious person. When someone tells me they are not going to be able to make it to an event or simply tells me "NO" to my request, I understand and I leave it at that. We all lead extremely busy lives, I don't expect a novel of an explanation. No means No, clear and simple enough -- nor am I offended by the answer "No".

But what kills me is that I respect other people's boundaries but the moment I stand up for myself I seem to get slapped on the wrist. This drives me nuts! REALLY NUTS!

I do not have magical super powers, I have a limit to what I can take on and how much I am willing to commit to. And there are days I simply CANNOT answer one more phone call, one more email or make it to one more event. I am not trying to be snotty or self-important, I just simply can't go beyond what I can handle.

I am becoming a big fan of yoga, and the saying "Namaste" means to honor yourself as you honors others. And that is what I need to do. You can't be there for others if you are never there for yourself. You have to refuel before you can attend to the needs of others.

This month I have had a tremendous amount on my plate. I am not complaining, but at the same time, there are many moments where I just need a few moments to myself and I do not want to have to justify, validate, explain or qualify why I need that moment. I respect when you tell me "No" without throwing a fit, now PLEASE do the same for me. Even if you don't understand, could you please respect :-) Namaste...

Purses

My latest creation. A messenger bag created from recycled woven fabric that has been weaved together with a braided leather handle...also comes in a clutch....

Ten Years

I cringe as I look at my calendar. This week of all week is not going to be easy. I have been strong for so long. I have not let myself fall apart, sulk or have a huge pity party. My sister and I have persevered on. We have graduated college. Jaime got married had a baby. We both started businesses. Stood up for what we believe in. Created. Loved. Laughed. Hurt. And LIVED.

But as time looms closer and closer to May 21st I kind of feel myself mentally spinning in a thousand directions. How can tens years have gone by! Sorry for the language but WTF!??? How did this all happen!!!??? Time speeds forward at a frightening rate and yet it seems like eons that I have had two parents. Ten years is a pretty big mile marker.

I miss my parents so much! I am not mad that they are gone, but I am completely and utterly sad. Within a nano-second they were taken from us as the tires shredded and our SUV flipped over. And yet ten years is still not enough time to heal from all this.

I am so caught up in my life. The busyness, the excitement, the chores, the projects, the people I have chosen to surround myself with, that at times it feels like my parents are not a part of any of this. And I feel guilty for that. And yet they are. I am who I am because of them. They gave me the foundation to be the woman I am today. They taught me well and now I am trying to live out their legacy. But there are days I just want to say "Screw It. I am soo tired of being strong. So tired of trying to have it all together. I just want to curl up in bed and have my mama say 'it's going to be okay. " Those were her last words before my dad's SUV hit the concrete billboard...I will hang onto those words until I see them again.....

I could really use a wish right now...

B.o.B ft Hayley Williams – Airplanes Lyrics

[Chorus - Hayley Williams]
Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars
I could really use a wish right now (wish right now, wish right now)
Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars
I could really use a wish right now (wish right now, wish right now)

[Verse 1 - B.o.B]
Yeah
I could use a dream or a genie or a wish
To go back to a place much simpler than this
Cause after all the partyin’ and smashin’ and crashin’
And all the glitz and the glam and the fashion
And all the pandemonium and all the madness
There comes a time where you fade to the blackness
And when you’re staring at that phone in your lap
And you hoping but them people never call you back
But that’s just how the story unfolds
You get another hand soon after you fold
And when your plans unravel
And they sayin’ what would you wish for
If you had one chance
So airplane airplane sorry I’m late
I’m on my way so don’t close that gate
If I don’t make that then I’ll switch my flight
And I’ll be right back at it by the end of the night

[Chorus - Hayley Williams]

[Verse 2 - B.o.B]
Somebody take me back to the days
Before this was a job, before I got paid
Before it ever mattered what I had in my bank
Yeah back when I was tryin’ to get a tip at subway
lyrics courtesy of www.killerhiphop.com
And back when I was rappin’ for the hell of it
But now a days we rappin’ to stay relevant
I’m guessin that if we can make some wishes outta airplanes
Then maybe yo maybe I’ll go back to the days
Before the politics that we call the rap game
And back when ain’t nobody listened to my mix tape
And back before I tried to cover up my slang
But this is for Decatur, what’s up Bobby Ray
So can I get a wish to end the politics
And get back to the music that started this sh-t
So here I stand and then again I say
I’m hopin’ we can make some wishes outta airplanes
[Chorus]
[End]

"You Know JENNIFER PAIGE!!!???"

I have become good friends with Robin Macy the designer and owner behind Vin-T Bikinis.

Robin's daughter goes to St. Theresa's Catholic school and she asked me to donate several headbands for a charity auction they had last month. She told me the little girls went crazy for my headbands and now when she goes to pick up her daughter the girls will come up to her and say "I just have to have a Jennifer Paige headband!" & "YOU know JENNIFER PAIGE! Oh my goodness do think we could meet her!?"

Yesterday I went with Robin to pick up her daughter Alexa. The little girls flocked around us and squealed as I handed out my business cards, it was all too cute for words -- simply adorable!

ABC 15 Promotion of MADCAP Fashion Show