Deer and chicken and pork...

Today was a normal Saturday...

                I ran errands and didn't get any rest...

Believe it or not, I attempted several naps and didn't get past the dozing stage even once (out of three tries.) Does that make me a little pathetic?


            Generally on Saturdays I cook for Saturday evening meal, and the afternoon meal for Sunday. So after a quick run to the grocery store, that's exactly what I did. Tomorrow we will be having baby lima beans and curry chicken. I know I should have prepared some starch, but I wasn't feeling it. Tonight's meal was also a bit meager-pork roast with diced potatoes, and some steamed mixed veggies. I heard no complaints. 
           I read in a book about blogging that if your blog is not ALL bible-based or religious, then you shouldn't mention religion, it also said that you should be yourself. I'm confused as to how I can be myself and never talk about something that means so much to me!
         
         This morning my mom called my little sisters downstairs to the kitchen (there's a big window in the kitchen that looks out onto into our backyard) to see some deer eating breakfast. I took some low-quality pictures through the window. It reminded me of a verse:

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so my soul panteth after thee, O God. Ps. 42:1 












May I seek you daily, even moment by moment Lord...earnestly in a way that only one with true desire and need can. Amen.




Elisabeth Arona

My summer vacation

This is my niece Brooklyn. As you can see she is beautiful. She will soon be a year old, and is already proving herself to be quite bright too. I promise, none of this is me being a little biased because she's my only niece. Never! In case you don't believe me, here is another picture.

Yeah, that's cutest baby award stuff right there lol. I honestly hate this picture of me, but I think she looks phenomenal. I know this post seems like it's all about "Cookie", but really I just had to start out that way so you would understand where I'm coming from. I just arrived home yesterday from a two week vacation at her house. It was so difficult to leave, and as much as I know I need to be at home working and doing all those grown-up things she is already so missed. Now for a couple other pictures of my vacation.

Here is a picture of my sister, brother-in-law and Brooklyn on the beach. It was taken farther away using zoom because they didn't know I was taking the picture of them, but it was too perfect to pass up. 

...and of course I can't leave out Reba the dog...

We took the puppies to get their tails shortened and she went and found a puppet to cuddle with sadly. I know...such a cute pathetic picture. This dog loved me to death and sat watching me for half hour periods, sometimes laying her head on my lap. She also lets the baby climb all over her. I'm looking forward to my next visit, and will definitely be sure to take plenty more pictures too.

 What did you do this summer for fun?

Elisabeth Arona

One of them days...

On those days when the baby poops and it oozes out of his diaper, and then he spits up on your clothes...

On the days when you want to cry out of sheer exhaustion...

On the days when every time you tried to take a nap someone does something stupid...

On the days when you want to have an encouraging word for a friend, but you can't find it anywhere...

On the days when go out, only to realize when you arrive at your destination that your hair isn't done...and worst of all you don't even care...

On the days when the baby fell out in your arms and banged his head into your lip so it hurts like the dickens...

On those days take a deep breath and realize you're not alone. I know this because I just had "one of 'them' days".

Elisabeth Arona

So I am told...

I am told that if you're having a block, and can't think of anything to write in your blog, write anyway, because the longer you take a break from it all the worse off you'll be. I didn't listen to this advice, and turns out, it was correct.
I don't have much to say, so I will show you two things that I was given or bought lately that I'm super happy about:

My birthday earrings:

Rita, from Sammysgrammy made the earrings I'm wearing in this picture. I love them to death! Check out her shop by clicking the link-or the picture-and maybe you can find something almost as cool :-) 

I have a problem with hyper pigmentation on my face from an acne problem (which I am now diligently working against.) Now that I've found all these cool natural ways to lessen the break-outs, I still needed something that I knew worked for the marks left behind. I asked a friend Diane, from lusciouslathers because I LOVE this chapstick that I bought from her, and she said she had something for me with AHA somethin' or another. I was like "aha!!" (yeah I know, lame) and went straight to her shop to "heart" it, so I could buy it on payday. I really hate drawing extra attention to it, so let me just give you the link.

This stuff is partially organic too! Hallelujah! I would ask if you want before and after pictures, but you can forget that...you WILL see after pictures though :-) 

That's all for today folks...

Elisabeth Arona

I am a brand-and you are one too.

I belong to a great team on Etsy. Etsy.com is an online location for handmade and vintage sellers and buyers to gather and change the world (but just check it out to really GET it.) Joining a team is like being in a club, people who understand you, your frustrations as a seller or creator, and in this case (since it's a Christian team) also discuss topics that apply to your every day life as a Christian. All of this is just me rambling though. Today one of the members of the team said she pulled an "Arona" by sleeping in, because obviously I am Arona, and I have been sleeping in a LOT lately and come in to say good morning when morning is almost over. I joked about how I am a brand, because someone named sleeping in after me...and yes, I realize that this isn't the best thing to have named after you but follow me here, it's gonna get interesting.
When I graduated last year from college, our commencement speaker spoke about brands. You know, his job is to make everyone that just graduated so ridiculously excited about getting out there and being successful that they actually get out there and become successful. He said something that will probably stick with me forever. Are you ready? Okay...
............................
........................................
.....................................................
..............................................................
You ARE a brand.
Wasn't that deep? Maybe not without explanation :-) When someone says "I ate Cheerios for breakfast." You immediately picture cereal, because that's what Cheerios is! No one has to describe what they look like, or what ingredients are included, Cheerios IS the all-encompassing description of this food. In the same way, when someone says your name, everyone around immediately has a picture in their minds of what or who you are. Some will automatically think of you as nice, others as industrious, and of course sometimes there are some negatives (we're all human after all.)
You and I are constantly shaping-and hopefully improving upon-our personal brands. Yesterday, I heard on the radio that a large, well-known store is trying to change the way people look at them. To do this, they are lowering prices, and for those who don't want to go into their stores, they are making an online version with low shipping. By doing this, they show that they "care" about their current and prospective customers; they make it impossible to dislike them by making sure no one can find the items anywhere else so conveniently and inexpensively. I attempt to be the type of person that can always be put out for others, and the friend that can be called any time. Since people always call me no matter what I'm doing, and I even get texts demanding to know why I would go to sleep early (when they are still awake and need someone to talk to) I assume that I am now known for my availability...While this is perhaps a branding "don't", there are many things that you can really do with this idea both in your personal mentality, and in the way you improve your business acumen.
Just think, you are completely responsible for how people think of you! You can build your brand to be known for all sorts of wonderful things! Go for it, go complete your brand!

Elisabeth Arona

Only so much I can take...

There's only so much a girl can take, honestly, this is a fact. So far since this grand idea to leave me with three kids, a dad, and a house to take care of I've been taking a turn for the worst. My natural knack for drama has only reached it's peak, my personal image has crashed and burned, my self-esteem has taken a beating, and my resolve to be the best fake mom ever has strengthened.
So, this song (Everything Falls) has become my song of the day and soon may become my go-to song for when I want to scream and jump off of a rooftop (I did tell you the thing about only becoming more dramatic, right?)
So I'm going to give you a few examples of the above problems that I'm having.
Dramatic
The other day I burst into tears because my dad told me to calm down, I also called him yesterday and declared it to be the worst day of my life-I've been saying that waaaay more lately than I'd like. I updated my facebook status saying "My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes" which is a quote from Anne of Green Gables (movie.)
Personal Image
I walked around the house with the same hairstyle for a week, and only changed headbands to make it look as if I did it. Yesterday I spilled black beans everywhere (including on my shirt) and went to midweek church service just like that. I really felt everyone should have been grateful that at least I took the beans off and only had mud-like smudges on my pink and white striped shirt. To give it uniformity I was going to smudge all over the shirt, but I didn't have time--TRUE STORY! Since in "normal life" I can never find my shoes, and definitely in crazy life I can't find them I've been wearing the same sandals every day for over a week except for Sunday.
Self-esteem
While logically I know that I should be proud of myself, I see sooo many problems with everything I do. It puts me on the defense a lot. My dad joked this morning that my mom stayed up (after waking up at 4:50 AM) until he leaves out the door (at 5:20 AM.) I was so sleepy that the only retort I could come up with was "better go find the mommyloo then!" and a kiss on the cheek. Sorry dad. After I finally washed and restyled my hair yesterday someone at church KEPT saying (they think I'm hard of hearing too?!) that I must've stuck my finger in an electric socket. I was not amused, but I was resigned. The girls haven't once said "Momma doesn't..." or mentioned her in that way, so I'm grateful, but there have definitely been other such statements, all of which sting. To make matters worse, someone told me yesterday I should grow a backbone and tell everyone I refuse to do this any longer. I think that being that way would come back and bite me later when there's something really really want to do (like my mom wants to be with her firstborn when she has her first child.)
Resolve
The house may look more lived-in that it has in quite awhile, but it won't be for lack of trying, or for lack of calling out orders lol.

So I repeat (or retype) there is only so much a girl can take before she starts fasting and praying that her sister hurries and goes into labor so she can have her life back. I know, how selfish, but the selfishness has been saved as the topic for another post.

Elisabeth Arona

Homeschooling Help

My oldest sister is having a baby. I know you're thinking "aaaaand...?" so let me explain why this is significant. She and her husband are the first among their brother's and sisters to get married, my sister is the first to get married out of all the grandchildren, and now she'll have the first grandbaby (on her hubs side and hers), great grandbaby, and niece/nephew! My mom is going to be a grandmother for the first time, enough said. She has decided to go stay with my sister for the remaining three weeks of her pregnancy leaving me to keep the house. This will consist of waking up at 5 AM to cook my dad breakfast every week morning, supervising my two little sister's home schooling, cooking dinner every day, and even babysitting the little boy (about eighteen months old) that Mom normally babysits. Whew. Yes, I'm tired already, but in my effort to be a great "mommy" I have trolled the web looking for resources, especially for school. You will get to benefit from the fruits of my labors. Most of these sites are great for any kids, not just home-schooled ones.

This site is great because you can decide how you want your worksheets more or less. I use most of the sites for math, but other subjects can be found on most of these too.
Kid Zone is a great place to find cool kiddie worksheets. They're cute, and there are lots of subject to pick from! 
The Homeschoolmom site has all sorts of resources that will get you out of the house, from piano lessons, to art classes, and you can pick out your state. Now the home school kids that we know are going to a home school skate night with us at the rink in the near future!

Enjoy!

Elisabeth Arona

Race? What RACE??

My family and I (I'm in the red flowered dress)

As a forward, let me say that I believe racist crimes should be punished, as well as all other crimes...true crimes are not what this post is about. So let me begin:

Lately it seems like every time I turn around there is an issue where someone being "racist" pops up in the news, when there was nothing I considered racist about the incidents let alone the people. I will be the first to say that as a "lil bit of everything" type of chick, I find this somewhat annoying. To me, people are people. Yes, anyone can tell a white person looks different from a black person, an Asian person looks different from an Indian person, and so on...but when it comes down to it, it's really not worth all the drama. For those who don't get it, let me put it in perspective for you.
My mom was from the country-here in Georgia (things move a lot slower there--especially in the South) and when she was a kid, she walked to a one-room schoolhouse, while the white children rode the bus down the dirt road to their school. My dad was born in the U.S. to a Canadian mother (who is biracial) and a Jamaican father (also biracial, a descendant of Scottish and Irish natives), and though I really have never heard my dad talk about being treated differently as a light-skinned, green-eyed guy in Jamaica, my grandmother does talk about segregation and things of that nature. My mom said that her dad had green or grey eyes and it was rumored that one of his parents was white, but that couldn't be talked about back then because people could be hurt for that.
I said all this to say that I have it good. While I have heard a lot of "What race are you?" and "Is your dad white?" as well as a few snubs by people black and white, I don't really care. Most of it happened when I was too little to understand or care actually. I've been told that I shouldn't "think I'm all that" because I'm light-skinned by my own race, so far be it from me to tell a curious white person who asks what black people eat--out of true ignorance on the topic-that they are racist because they asked it.
Even though I find it highly annoying, there will always be people who don't talk to someone because they're too ugly, too handicapped, too tall, too skinny, too pretty, or some other just-as-confusing reason. I can't help this, and sometimes I think that perhaps people throw out the race card because it's the easiest and most obvious excuse for not being nice.
What is my point? I guess my point is that people are people; you can be what you want to be if you don't let anyone hold you back. No matter what race you are, people will insult you for something because even the nicest person is gonna have a bad day and lash out-not to mention those people who are just rude all day every day. So let's just all try a little harder to forgive and forget :-) and enjoy out lives. When God made us, he said that his creation was very good, and I truly believe he was right.


Elisabeth Arona

Does that grass look greener to you?

Today while I was in the pool with two friends, we started a discussion about insecurities. It was pretty deep (okay, so maybe I just thought so, but judge for yourself.) I said that people tend to carry their insecurities over to others, and for an example I will use clothing. Someone who is afraid of wearing a certain color for fear of how others will react (someone once told me after I bought a certain color that it wouldn't look good on me), will often go to others and react negatively to their clothing color choices (therefore starting a chain reaction of insecurity.)
My friend who recently shaved her head to regrow her hair natural-oh yeah, I'm proud of her because I love having hair and would fear cutting it-said that when she wears weave or different colored wigs people comment about how she isn't happy with who she is or how God made her. Her reply was, "And you are?"
In their minds, these people consider themselves "more content" with their natural appearance although they have relaxers or perms, complain about their hair, or color their hair. I believe that for me to get into the insecurities of humans (especially women) regarding their hair and body image alone I would be here typing on through the night and yeah, maybe even through next week :-). So let me leave my main point with you. It is okay to enhance your natural beauty, but don't let what a few others consider beautiful or ugly sway you too much. You look in the mirror at yourself every day, you live in your skin, and you have to be happy with how you enhanced your person.
My daddy taught me that when I am most critical of others is when I am not happy with myself. I hate when he points it out because it is super true. I am going to an event in another state, and I was--okay am-somewhat afraid to wear my hair natural because I generally get mixed reviews. You know what though? I am going to wear it natural, and I will rock it, because I am confident (self esteem boosting in progress) and when I am happy with myself as a wonderful example of God's handiwork I won't worry about dissing other people to put them on the level I believe myself to be on...instead I will lift them up so we can stand on the same level together. In conclusion, as a radio host used to say...
"Now go do the right thing."

Elisabeth Arona

"Just say no."

This week started out crazy. On Sunday morning a friend told me that she had a project for me. She wanted me to make scrubs in a size 6x for a family member of hers, and she wanted them by Monday morning at 6 AM. I said yes. As soon as I hung up I felt like an idiot, but I really have a problem saying now. I always wonder how much one will hate me etc. etc. Bear in mind that I'm at church from 10 AM til a little after noon, and then go on to another church from 3-5 PM. She said she would drop it off at 6 PM. She brought supplies:

• A pattern in size 3X for me to revise up to 6X
• Measurements for the bust and hips (I don't know what happened to the waist either so don't ask me.)
• Fabric

Judge me if you'd like, but I'm still new at revising patterns when I've never seen the person, and well, period! Sooo it took me from 7 PM Sunday (with a few short, well-deserved breaks) all the way to 5:30 AM on Monday. No sleep. My room looked like someone broke in and left things instead of took them. I undercharged by a major amount, I felt horrible most of Monday, I didn't get my money when I was supposed to, and I had to do alterations today. Soooo dear internet people, whether you know me or not, I need you to help me say no. I have now come up with several lessons I learned:

1. Never work with friends.  Don't automatically say yes just because someone is a friend. 
2. For custom orders (especially the more expensive and time-consuming ones) take partial or full payment before starting. 
3. Make up a pricing sheet with the lowest price you'll charge on any given item so that people can't catch you off guard.
4. Just because people try to get you to do projects for less doesn't mean that you're actually worth a pittance. People do NOT walk in stores and take out an item to pay later, so no more letting people get a product without paying before it passes from your hand to theirs.

A friend of mine told me to just say no :-) and although I shall take that into advisement (that would mean no money ever lol) it is necessary to have some backbone and charge what feels right. Do you have any advice to add?

Elisabeth Arona

I don't have a job...but I work!!

Today I will be clearing up some common myths and misconceptions. I'll start with a little story of my own:
I was downstairs curling my mom's hair in preparation to leave for an overnight trip with my parents and a couple friends. My two other sisters weren't traveling with us, or going at all because their jobs interfered. My sister asked how long we were staying. Now mind you, I didn't even want to go, let alone stay overnight so I was a little grouchy. I told her we were coming back the next day "after lunch." "It started out being we'd leave in the morning, and then turned to we'll leave after lunch." I complained. "Just wait, pretty soon we'll get back home in time for a midnight snack!" My sister, instead of being understanding says "Why does it matter? You don't have a job anyway." Time Stopped. My mom stiffened. *Impending Clouds of Doom* I won't tell you what happened here except that I got on her case about my life revolving around other people's schedules because of that fact, and that no, I didn't have a job, but I had things to do because I wasn't dead.

All of this could have been avoided if she had known a few things:

1. Creativity never sleeps. I like to think that I'm not weird in this case, and it's a thing most creative people have to deal with. While people who work leave work at work, I couldn't even if all my sewing things weren't in my bedroom. If I am not up until 2 AM sewing (which in this case I was--pictures of that skirt coming soon) I would generally be dreaming about a new design just because I didn't do anything right before bed and even my subconscious is unhappy with that.
2. People don't forget they don't have jobs. I cannot say how many times people have reminded me that I don't have a job. I don't know about all of the other people out there, but I know one thing, I don't forget I don't have a job. For one thing I feel that if I had a job I would have more money. I also feel like if I had a job I'd come home with a frowny face like most people with jobs-at least around here. I feel like I would have a boss to complain about under my breath rather than everyone who disturbs me while I'm sketching or sewing.
3. People generally dislike having what they do undermined. Some people don't have jobs because they can't get a job, some people don't have jobs because they can't get a job they feel like won't smother them, some people don't have jobs because they choose not to have a job. I don't have a job because those few that have wanted to hire me either just didn't (there's a shocker) or I couldn't handle the job and create too. I do work hard at home though. I clean, watch after my little sisters, and create...I even go out with friends sometimes even though it's generally craft related. I think me going up to someone and telling them how bad their job is would be SO rude, but for some reason it's okay to make a person feel bad about not having a job when they are trying to work from home.
4. Those who work from home are growing in number. Pretty soon, those of us who stay home and make money (or try) will be seen more and more often, even now the number of in-home workers (especially crafters) is growing. This is a good thing, small businesses care more about individual people than larger businesses just because they have the time to.
5. We love it. I love art. I love sewing, hot gluing, sketching...I love creating everything I list to sell. I work hard at it and take pride in what I do. When people want something special, something one-of-a-kind, or just something quality they come to those who don't have "jobs" but work from home (usually longer hours than those who don't.)

Elisabeth Arona

Hair is the issue: I'm black.

ME THE FIRST TIME I WORE MY HAIR COMPLETELY NATURAL TO CHURCH

I am not my hair by India Arie


Little girl with the press and curl
Age eight I got a Jheri curl
Thirteen and I got a relaxer
I was a source of so much laughter
At fifteen when it all broke off
Eighteen and went all natural
February two thousand and two
I went on and did
What I had to do
Because it was time to change my life
To become the women that I am inside
Ninety-seven dreadlocks all gone
I looked in the mirror
For the first time and saw that HEY....

[Chorus]
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations no no
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am a soul that lives within

[Talking:]
What'd she do to her hair? I don't know it look crazy
I like it. I might do that.
Umm I wouldn't go that far. I know .. ha ha ha ha

[Verse 2]
Good hair means curls and waves
Bad hair means you look like a slave
At the turn of the century
Its time for us to redefine who we be
You can shave it off
Like a South African beauty
Or get in on lock
Like Bob Marley
You can rock it straight
Like Oprah Winfrey
If its not what's on your head
Its what's underneath and say HEY....

Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person?

Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend? Oh

Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity?

I am expressing my creativity..
Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy
Took away her crown and glory
She promised God if she was to survive
She would enjoy everyday of her life ooh
On national television
Her diamond eyes are sparkling
Bald headed like a full moon shining
Singing out to the whole wide world like HEY...

I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am not your expectations no...

Robin the news anchor a few years ago when she took off her wig and walked the runway while battling cancer.

Although normally I don't listen to a lot of songs that aren't gospel, this one is one of my favorites. While listening to it today, I realized that this was my next blog post. You may or not realize it, but one of the biggest problems black girls have is their hair. You can get picked on if you can't grow it long enough, you get looked down on if you decide to wear it natural and it's too kinky, you get talked about for being ungrateful if your hair is long and you want it cut because "everyone wants it" and you don't. I believe that hair is one of the top causes of self-esteem issues in black girls. Since I'm not White, Latina, Middle Eastern, or any other ethnicity I don't know the top problems with their hair, complexion, or bodies, so I'll speak on what I know. 
If you are black, "good hair" and "bad hair" are well-known terms. The harder it is to run a comb through your hair, the worst your hair is. The kinkier your hair is, the more likely you are to get a relaxer at a younger age, the more likely it is that your hair will break off and be short, and the  more likely that you'll wear weave or hair you paid for. I won't even get into how the main reason hair breaks out is from incorrect hair care which women then pass down to their children and so on I'll go this route instead...

Being you is in. I love the song above (especially the verse in bold) because it celebrates the fact that being you isn't about hair. Yes, people comment and touch your hair when it's straight and long, but no it doesn't make friends for you, and yes it's generally more trouble than it's appears (which is why so many people cut their hair.) Your personality, confidence, kindness, empathy, and belief in God making everyone unique and special is what earns you friends. Look around you, a few years ago I could only name one person that I knew who was growing her relaxer out. Now? Oh um, including myself, I personally know eight, and there are others that I know of, but don't know personally. Girls don't have to grow out their relaxers to embrace their ethnicity, that's not what I'm saying, I'm simply saying that more black girls are realizing that their hair being kinky, curly, or bushy isn't a reason to be sad or ashamed...and that's worth celebrating. *Side note* Watch out straight-haired girls, curly girls are taking over the world! --ahem, what was I saying? Oh yeah, your hair doesn't make you who you are...
"I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am not your expectations no!" :-)


Elisabeth