Lifestyle Maintenance

Late last week, my dash read that I needed to change my oil( technology is amazing in new vehicles). This morning I had downtime so I went to have it done. 

While sitting in the lobby, there were a few others having work performed on their vehicles. This one woman stood out in particular. She was on the phone talking. I continuously heard her saying, " but if you made me aware of your issue, we would not be disagreeing right now". For some reason that stuck with me. 

How many times do we have disagreements or misunderstandings all because we did not provide clarity? Many people laugh/ or do not understand when I ask for clarity. It's not to be a jerk, it's because I need clarity! I'm effective when I understand and if I don't, I will continue with questions. Lol

I'll never forget, it was my 1st semester of college. I was sitting in my Child Development class. We were assessing the way children learn. I'll admit, sometimes I'll indulge in a great debate, I'll also admit, I'll probe just to see how strong you are( I know, petty). Well, on this particular day, I truly didn't understand a point my professor made so I kept asking questions. Right in the midst of my question she says, " Cheneka all you do is ask questions, it's not that many questions in the world". I must admit, the level of disdain I soon carried for this woman was unbelievable. However, when my final grade for that class was an A and she later expressed she felt I'd be a phenomenal teacher, I knew I'd done something right. Where ever you are Professor Ravitha Amarethinsan(spelling is horrible but in my head I'm saying it right), thank you! 

In life, many areas of our lives will require constant maintenance. A sisterfriend and I were talking about relationships last week and the grass appearing to be greener somewhere else. We have to take care of what's been given to us, or even the hands we've been dealt because we either chose it, or it's our lot in this life. 

Somethings will require more work and if we feel it's worth it, we're going to fight for it. 

My Lovies, I challenge you to work on, or even fix any relationship/ project that you've walked away from. In order for every part to fall in sync, it all has to mesh and work together. We can't expect our cars to run without gas, we can't expect relationships to work without communication. Today, I'm going to be better by doing better. You do the same, you hear?!! 

Signed, 

Simply Cheneka 

9 Months....

 The 9 months it took to "bake" my babies in the oven, does not compare to the LOVE I have for each of them.

 My daughter, Chelia AKA Mooda Pie is my sweetie pie. In her 8 short years, she's lived in 3 states, attended 3 schools and is very vocal about her likes and dislikes. Yeah, if you're EVER going to buy her any jeans they need to be SKINNY, a lesson I (re)learn every school year. Thank God for uniforms.

My labor with her was 17.5 hours, natural NO meds just ice. Those 9months( almost 10 because she was a little over a week), where breakfast consisted of cheeseburgers from Burger King with extra pickles and mustard,  did not compare to the LOVE I immediately felt upon pushing out an 8lbs 11 oz perfect little girl.

My son, Matthew Ashton is my All-star little boy FOR REAL... Son, as I affectionately call him is already a character of his own. At the tender age of 1, I already can tell he's going to be a rough lil thing and very outgoing. He's super active and he already tests his ability to get over on me. And, yeah I fail tremendously. He has mastered giving me wet juicy kisses and he feels that a kiss will right everything his little 1 year old inquisitive mind get into.

My labor with him was all of 3.5 hours. Again, natural just this time No ice. He arrived to quick!! LOL

None the less, I LOVE them. It took nine months to grow them inside of me. Feet swelling, body looking fluffy and swollen, hungry all the time but nothing ever hit the spot, some days scared some days excited, even spent some time questioning my decisions to have them at such an older age( being that most of my girlfriends had their daughters while we were still in HS, don't think Netta Girl"MOM" would've gone for that) 25 with Moo and 33 with Ash.

However I attempt to rationalize 9 months, it doesn't compare to the lifetime of memories I'm now making with each of them.

In my mind, for such a long time Mother's Day was a day to shower your Mother with gifts on top of gifts and an excellent dinner out somewhere. I've learned otherwise. Although I tend to splurge on my own Mom( for personal reasons), I'm learning to appreciate the little things and find joy in them. Yesterday, I spent it with my kids. We went to church( whew, took Son with me that was interesting he seemed to enjoy talking more while Pastor Dee preached), stopped at the grocery store and grabbed the last fixins needed for dinner, headed home, undressed right in the hallway, changed son into a tshirt and cooked dinner. Moo entertained me, herself and brother and we made the best of the day together!!! I changed more poopy diapers yesterday than I did the entire weekend and for some reason, I found myself watching Mommy Dearest, (ole crazy broad Joan Crawford..smh) by choice( well honestly was to lazy to retrieve the remote from behind the TV).

 Dinner consisted of fried chicken, field peas,black eyed pea mix with smoked turkey neck, perfectly cook white rice and corn bread. We washed it down with peach soda and for dessert, cherry pie, icecream and popsicles. I wanted to do more but the rain is NOT my friend when it touches my hair, you know natural hair will draw up pronto!! lol

9 months, has changed my life entirely. some days are good some days are bad. I do know for sure I won't trade them in for nothing in the world.

~A Happy mother's Day it was~