Food, Smiles & happiness

I truly enjoy Thanksgiving but by Friday I'm over it.. The excitement leading up to the preparation and cooking is quite fun but by the 4th time when I open the fridge and see tin pans, I'm over it!! 

Friday was spent with my family, a little shopping and more gobble gobble food. I attempted to eat some but my stomach said, "No ma'am, no way no how".. 

Alabama has definitely been great and my date life has been blessed!! The guy friend called me up and we decided we both were over Turkey.. We hit the streets and ended up at Rosie's Cantina. I'm not a huge Mexican lover but he is so it was cool. 

We enjoyed salsa with queso and tortillas, margaritas and I ate simple, salad with chicken( hey, I stick with what I know). Since we're still in his town, he enlightened me on the history of Rosie's. 

This Thanksgiving has been one of the best. Filled with good food, lots of dates, great conversations and adult time. 

Lovies, I hope you all have enjoyed your holiday as much as I have. Here's to old friendships going well. My little people and I are about to hit the road but I'm filled with more smiles and memories than humanly possible. My heart is full and for once, my happy place is starting to feel happy again.. 

Signed, 

Happy, happy, Joy, joy 

Women Who Network...

2 months into being a "Business Owner", I was asked by then client( who has since become one of my best friends and my partner with the Women's Organization), to sponsor a family for the holiday season. We sponsored 2 families that year. 

I had done tons of giving back to the communities I seved back home, served families affected by unexpected deaths, served kids in the local housing developments but it didn't compare to the feelings I experience after adopting my 1st family. 

My mom was a single parent. After her divorce, she moved my brothers and I back to Boston where we had family to support us. It was hard. I was fortunate to have an aunt with a home daycare and she made sure I always had a job. I learned the importance of a $ and how to save. I knew then that I did not want to experience some of the misfortunes we did growing up. 

Moving to Georgia and becoming Co-Founder of Women Building Network has been nothing short of amazing. For the last 4 years, we have served the less fortunate with meals, toiletries and blankets. We have adopted families out of state and provided them with meals for the holiday season. We have volunteered with numerous organizations as well. 

There is always a need to serve and give back. We never know what a person is living through behind their smile. 

We're currently preparing for our 4th Annual Blanket Drive, on December 5th, 2015. It's a day of service where we bring our children out to serve and our loyal/ faithful supporters come out as well. If you would like help in any capacity, please feel free to leave a message below. 

My Lovies, I challenge you to sprinkle a little salt where ever you go.  We are the salt of the world!! 

Signed, 

I GiveBack 

Atlanta Night Life...

So I'm still enjoying my child free life. Cooking a full course meal is definitely not on my agenda of things. However, I nailed it with this macaroni salad 

I never knew there was so much to do in Atlanta at night because like any single parent, those free nights are far and few. BUT when I tell you I've figured it out these 2 weeks and I did most stuff for FREE?!! Yes, I'm winning. 

This week started off kind of slow but by Friday, I realized, "Girl you've been getting it in". Last night's adventures bought me back to the Atlanta Beltline on yet another excursion but this one was greeted by another cool event happening in the City. The Moon Ride. It's a 6mile bike ride that ends at Piedmont followed by a huge party lasting til the wee hours of the am( definitely added to my bucket list for next year) 

The best part about all of this me time, I'm able to get my runs and walks in. After completing 2 1/2 miles, I stumbled upon 2 #TinyDoorsAtl. This has been by far the best Atlanta night  excursions ever. I'm forever in debt to my #Sistergirl Karm. Thanks love!

I've now found 3 out of 7. I feel like a little school girl when I find them. Jumping up and down smiling all super big. 

Although my night life does NOT include me dancing, clubbing, drinking etc, I'm enjoying it MY way with awesome friends and sometimes all by my lonesome. 

If nothing else, this free time has reminded me I'm more than just a momm, I'm more than my business, I'm more than my women's org. I'm Cheneka and Cheneka is and will forever enjoy life... Stay tuned, there's a few more blogs in me as I celebrate my last week of Me Time.. 

Signed, 

Nek and these Atlanta Streets