Leap Year Baby...

You still have time!!! Get out and enjoy this Leap Day!! This extra day only comes around every 4 years. 

I'm not the hoola hoop type but today after being challenged, I picked up the hoop, used these baby making hips and hooped away. 

When I tell you it was fun and if only for a moment, I truly indulged. My heart felt good, I felt good and the weather was absolutely amazing.. I still have a few hours left and before the day ends, I'll do something else in honor of this extra day. I used my 24 extra hours wisely and I hope you're doing the same. 

My Lovies, there's nothing more important than living a life you enjoy. There's nothing more important than being surrounded by awesome ppl, family and friends. I challenge you to make this day count!! You still have time. 

Signed, 

Simply Cheneka 

Truth is...

There's nothing better than being in the arms of someone who cares for you just as much as you care for them... I know, I know you should be in love, married etc... But sometimes just laying with someone takes away the stresses of the world and even if for a brief minute, you're able to exhale the scent of peace( or in my case, a man who smells Hella good).. 

I've crossed over onto the far side of 30, 2 years past 35.. As I look over my life, I have not been in a long term relationship in quite sometime. I don't know if I'm avoiding it or if the right person has not come along( I think he has but he just doesn't know it yet), but I know for sure I. Miss. Cuddling. And it's not even about sex.. It's just laying there, in the arms of a person who cares just as much as I care. 

Don't get me wrong, marriage should always be the goal but you have to first get to that place. It's the simple things that matter the most:: 

Morning texts

Thinking of you gestures

Dinner 

Long walks

Honest conversations and Cuddling... 

Lately, I've daydreamed more than a little about my King.. He's a handsome fella and he's just right for me.. He understands I do NOT want anything from him( I'm sure there are tons of people pulling on him). I don't want much, just his ear, a shoulder to lean on and strong arms holding me up because sometimes I feel weak. 

Together, we're going to be equally strong for each other and make cuddling a priority. It's what good relationships are built on( and honestly too, above EVERYTHING else).. 

Signed, 

Simply Cheneka 

Hidden Blessings..

I was absolutely tired this morning when I got off work. So tired that my entire body ached. I knew I couldn't go to bed right away because my mechanic was enroute to fix something small on my truck( which by the way, after I watched him

I could've done the job myself). He was done by 9:30, I was in bed by 10am. My heart was in Decatur at my church but my body was aching and I was restless, literally. 

When I got in at 6:50, I grabbed some clothes and I showered. The particular pants I grabbed, I'd been looking for them for weeks. Not for any reason in particular, they just happen to be my fave Victoria Secret Pink sweat pants. I finished my much needed bath and proceeded to dry off and dress. 

Out of habit, I always stick my hands in my pockets after getting dressed. As I stick my hand in my pockets, I felt a roll. I instantly pulled it out and to MY surprised, there was $45 rolled up in my pocket. I tried to remember where the money could've come from and I kept drawing a blank. All I know, I haven't wore these particular pants in about 3 or 4 weeks. 

Anyhoo, I'll take the $45 for the win! Once again, God has looked out for the girl. This last month or so has been nothing but extreme wins for me! My heart is full and I'm extremely excited for what 37 is bringing my way.. 

My Lovies, surprises/ blessings come in all shApes and forms. Never be so caught up in your own situation that you miss your good thing/ blessings. What's even crazier, sometimes our blessing/ good thing is right up under our nose.. Stop sniffing other gardens and appreciate yours! I'm ready and winning!! I got next! 

Signed, 

Cheneka Wins!! 

Life...

Today was a good day. I was a bit apprehensive but with all things, go in with no expectations and it'll all work out. 

I started my new job. The funny thing, I was nervous as hell but I didn't tell a soul. I mean I'm Cheneka, Cheneka is never ever nervous. LASTNIGHT as I prepared, I changed my outfit like 6 times, worried about lunch( I was starving by 12, I only packed a grapefruit, water and chewy bar), almost cried because I knew I would miss my daughter's award ceremony( how does it work when you 6th grader comforts you about missing HER ceremony, which by the way she exceeded my expectations but hey she's a branch of ME), stressed over my hours( whether I'd make it to Roswell in time to pick up my son) worried about my workload, school and my business... ( which by the way, S/O to my Women's Org Partner LB, for holding KISS down).

But I remembered where the Bible says, "be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with Thanksgiving, let YOUR request be made known", Phil 4:6.. I wrote in my prayer journal, made my request known, commanded my day; Power, Love, Grace, Glory & Peace surround me and closed my eyes. 

There's nothing more rewarding that doing what you love. My entire career has consisted of service.. Service to families, babies, mothers, fathers, youth and the community. For the last 20 plus years, I've given of myself to help others and today was just the beginning of a new extension of service. 

I keep reminding myself, "You're here for this", in my Spiritual Life, Personal Life,Business  Life.. I'm Here For This.. 

My Lovies, I challenge you to find your niche and work it/ serve it/ be it/ live it. 

Do it so well that, they'll know it's you before they see your face. I'm excited for this new opportunity, new doors, new gRace and new families. Today, I became.. 

Signed, 

Simply Cheneka

It's A Family Affair...

We like pickles. Last year at our family reunion, my Aunt sent us home with 3 large jars of sandwich dill pickles. 

As I cleaned and began the process of packing and throwing things out, I came across this jar in my daughter's room( she started saving her change so she could purchase snacks during lunch at school). I smiled. I love when she takes the initiative to be great. A few days later, I lurked ( lol) upon a post on Instagram explaining how if you save a penny each day( it's complicated but here's a break down, January 1st= 1 penny, February 1st= 32 pennies because it's the 32nd day of the year and so forth) you'd have close to $700 by the end of the year. I shared the post with my daughter and instantly she responded with, " let's do it mommy, it can be our vacation jar". I started out saving a penny each day but I soon realized, it's easier for me to dump the change from my wallet daily. My son has even taken an interest in our savings jar. His contributions are few but the mere fact that he's amped to share his 3 pennies warms my heart. 

I've vowed this year to be a year of financial flexibility for us. I recently purchased a new vehicle and we'll soon move into our new house. Yes, I carry the financial responsibility for the three of us alone. While I've made more money boo boos than the law should allow, I've now become a bit more conscious with the spending decisions I make. 4 little eyes are watching me and one wallet suffers when I mess up. 

So here's to a year of saving like a boss, so when it's time to spend like one, I won't have to worry about replacing what I've spent!! 

My Lovies, I challenge you to save. Involve your little ppl too. They will thank you later.

Signed,

Simply Saving Cheneka~

My Love...

...and if you threw a party, you invited everyone you knew. You would see, the biggest gift would be from me and the card attached would say, Thank You for being a FRIEND... ~Golden Girls 

I promise I want to grow old with my best friend Moneka Mashaè( I'm Cheneka Trenè, creepy lol). I've lost count of the years, I know it's 20plus. When we 1st met, it was not peaches -n-cream. More like oil and water. But as time progressed, we grew to love and appreciate each other. 

Although we've always been in different states, it's never caused any issues. 

The last few months have been a bit trying for the both of us. I must admit it has strengthened our friendship on a whole new level. I've always prayed for her and covered her but to actually pray with her during some dark times solidified that we didn't become friends just because. She is my sister, my kids' Aunti. She's my ROD( to the fullest). 

We've been pushing each other out of our comfort zones for the last 2 months. We've agreed to become each other's  accountability partners as well. 

It's evident that in this life, we all need that one person ( or 2 or 3) we can count on when there's no 1 else. 

We've both had a few petitions before God. I've been battling with continuing my business, education and job. She's been battling with her job. We both gave each other deadlines and I'm proud to say that as of today, we both have new jobs, my business will continue to flourish and I'm going to kick school's butt! With her, I've found strength and a new level of appreciation of her and our friendship. 

My Lovies, I challenge you to take a moment and let your closest know how much you truly appreciate them. I'm blessed beyond measure to have her and a few others who show me daily that they have my back. I pray that I'll continue to always have each of them around... 

Signed, 

Simply Grateful Cheneka 

5Tips...

It's now February, we're 2 months into 2016( my bday is in 14 days, oh my).. 

As I'm finally getting the swing of things, I've realized some of my previous habits have to stop. I'm quite sure that as you take inventory over spending habits, there's a few changes you can make. 

While we all my have different top 5's, here's my list and I'll explain WHY these are at the top. Starting with 

5) I will NOT waste money on icecream. If you have little ppl and you frequent Wendy's, invest in their key tab for frosty's. If you pay $1.00( once) each time you purchase a meal, you can get a free small frosty. Yup, I will not waste money on icecream again. 

4) I will NOT waste money on shaving cream. But I will still shave! Lol Here's my secret. I'm picky with the soap I use. Instead of buying shave cream, I have no problem with lathering up soap and rubbing it on the areas that need to be shaved ( however ladies, still invest in shaving your "pocketbook", that's a different kind of maintenance 😉). 

3) I will NOT waste money on fast food. At the beginning of every year, my eating habits are visited. It's not so much about me losing weight, I just want to remain healthy and conscious. I've realized that my meals I cook at home are much healthier and they cost less. Remember, everything used in your home is healthier than the processed foods in restaurants. 

2) I will NOT waste money spending top dollar for high end handbags. I remember my 1st Gucci bag purchase like it was yesterday. I'd been eyeing this bag for a year. I knew spending $695 was well out of my price range. But I wanted the bag so bad. I kept watching it and watching it. One day while out shopping with my highschool bestie, we stopped in the Gucci store. I almost lost my life, the bag was marked down to $319.00. Needless to say I purchased it. 15 years later, I no longer have it because I sold it at the local consignment shop which has now become my best friend. I can now purchase slightly used high end handbags for a fraction of the price. 

And lastly, I will stop making spur of the moment purchases without fully thinking it through. If I have to rob Peter to satisfy Nek's urge, it's not worth it. 

We're 6 weeks into the new year and I'm 6 weeks into my weekly savings. This year, I will complete the full year of savings. There's quite a few things on my calendar to purchase and complete this year. I need to have my funds in order to make it happen. 

My Lovies, I'm challenging you to be the captain of your savings and make it happen. 

Signed, 

Simply Saving Cheneka