My First Guest Feature

Hello everyone! I am so excited! I was asked by Virgin Monologuez to write a guest post. My first reaction was YES! Then I asked about the topic. She gave me three options: A poem, a Monologue Monday post (sharing my journey in my own words), or write about loving myself. I thought I would tackle all in one. Please check out Virgin Monologuez. If you have teens or work with youth, please direct them to her site as well. I hope you enjoy!

"November"

***Disclaimer*** This poem was written when I was a teenager. This was my view at that time.

 

November was the month it came,

All the temptation; all the pain

Nights so lovely; nights so sweet

Days so dark; soul so week

November was the month it came,

Shattered my heart; made tears of vain

Nights sinful, full of evil

It was okay to the world, but in the Bible illegal

November was the month it was gone

Took my right; left my wrong

Night’s full of passion, nights so uncommon

Took my childishness; In its place left a woman

I lost my virginity at 16. It was Thanksgiving Day. Why that day? I wanted it to be special. Never mind that it would have been more special to wait and give myself to my husband. In my mind, he was going to be my husband. In my mind, we were going to live happily ever after. In my mind, I had found the one! Hmmmm, not so much. That same person that said he loved me to the moon and back cheated on me, had a baby by someone else, hit me, talked bad to me, and so on and so on. It was hard for me to grasp or understand what love truly was. What it truly meant and what it felt like.

Fast forward to now. I know how it feels to be truly loved. God has shown so much grace over the years. He’s allowed me to excel at my job, serve in ministry, and walk in my purpose. That’s love. No matter what I’ve done in the past; He keeps loving me. Through the love He’s shown, I’ve learned to love myself. I’ve learned to respect myself. I’ve learned to not let hurt or shame hinder me. I was able to move on from November and enjoy new seasons.

My Very First Friday's Letters

Hello everyone! I've been seeing a trend here in Bloggerville. Everybody has a Friday's Letters. I absolutely love the concept of thanking people and and giving a brief rundown of the week. So, here goes.........

Dear God, thank You for giving my friend a new heart. I thank You for making it a perfect match, and I thank You for allowing her to go home this week. Thank you Lord!

Dear "The Voice", Thank you for Shakira this season! I love her and all of her flavor! On the other hand, no thank you to Usher. I'm gonna miss ole C Lo and his smoothness, lesigh...

Dear Sasha and Malia, thank you for being normal.This pic says it all.....

Dear Beyonce, thanks for making lip syncing look real. You did a great job and even got dramatic on us. Also, you were flawless (lookin like Tina). I will be tuning into the Super Bowl JUST to see you perform. You are "Gone with the wind fabulous!" 

Dear Gangnam Style Twins, thank you for my weekly dose of cuteness. Also, thank you for having such great rhythm. In case you haven't seen it, here you go and your welcome lol!

 

Well, that's all for my first edition of Friday's Letters. Until next time...........

                                                                                                               

The Liebster Awards!

I have been nominated for not one, not two, not three, not even four, BUT FIVE Liebster Awards! I am overwhelmed with gratitude at this point. Thank you to everyone for supporting my blog. I was nominated by  Kiyosha @A Rare Commodity, Michelle @Writing My Dreams, Kim @Team Howard, Tiffany@Pink Faith Today, and Nicole@ Even Sparrows! Please check out these amazing blogs when you get a chance!

Here are the rules:

1. Share 11 facts about myself
2. Answer 11 questions from the nominator
3. Nominate 11 bloggers (with less than 200 followers) for the award
4. Create 11 questions for the nominee's to answer

Facts:
1. I love chocolate everything
2. My middle name is Jeanette and I spelled it Janette until Jr High
3. My sister is my best friend
4.I love to dance in the middle of the living room BY MYSELF
5. I wear make up everyday
6. My sister still helps me pick out clothes.
7. I used to eat before every date
8. I am from Paris TX
9. I am country and proper at the same time
10. I'm really an introvert acting as an extrovert
11. I can act but I prefer not to

Questions from nominees:

I decided to pick 11 questions out of  55. I can't answer that many questions lol.

1. Why did I start blogging? I started blogging because I felt I had alot to say that could help single women. I also love to make people laugh and think so I figured, why not. I also like to read. I've found so many great blogs in the process of growing my blog.

2. What's your favorite color? Green! Although, most people think pink because I wear it so much.

3. Who taught you the true meaning of love? My god mother and father. They cared for me, a child who is not their own. That's love!

4. What's your earliest childhood memory? I have the best memory when it comes to the past. But if you ask me what happened last week, blank stare. Anyway, my first complete memory was when I was three or four. my god mother took me to get my picture taken. I remember this because my hair has always been curly. She brushed my hair so hard to make it stick to my scalp. By the time we made it to the studio, my ends were curly.

5.What drives you nuts? I have two major pet peeves. Dogs unleashed in the back of a truck AND people who are always late.

6. Are you an early bird or a night owl? Early bird!

7. What's the last book you read? 72 Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell. I wanted to understand the struggle of mental illness from both sides.

8. Dream vacation. My dream vacation would be Hawaii. I would love to spend a week soaking up the sun and food. maybe one day...............

9.What makes you a rare commodity? My ability to stay calm when everyone around me is freaking out.

10.Paris or NYC? NYC baby! Can't wait to go back.

11. If you could pick any other career you wanted, what would it be? A freelance writer. I know I could do that now, but I want to make a decent amount a money. You know, enough to pay rent and buy food lol. Maybe one day. I'm working on it!

 Nominees:
Natalia Oh!
Kismet and Kilograms
Selfless Ambition
Hello Shaka
Love Always, E :-)
Love, Sarah K
NAVYWIF33
Renewed Mindset
Eloquent Rambles

(Okay, not quite 11 but I couldn't renominate any one who nominated me so I came up short :-)!

My Questions for the nominees

What is your biggest fear?
How do you start off your day?
Who is your favorite person in the world?
Comedy, Action, or neither?
What is the one thing you would do to change the world?
Why did you start blogging?
Do you have a hobby (besides blogging) and what is it?
What's your favorite television show?
If you could have any mentor, who would it be?
Hot or cold weather and why?
What super hero would you be and why?


Thank you to everyone that nominated me! Until next time...........................

                       

The Run Down: Kelli's Heart Update, Shopping on a Budget, Hair Crush

Hello beautiful Butterflies! I hope your weekend is full of fun, laughs, friends, and family. I have some wonderful news today! Do you remember my friend Kelli? If not or if you haven't read "A Heart For Kelli" click here. She received a heart transplant this past Thursday! God is so good and faithful! Many of us have been praying for her and encouraging her through this difficult time. She has always kept a smile and positive attitude. The doctors told her it would be a year OR more, but within a matter of a few months she received the call. This was bitter sweet for Kelli. She was sad that someone had to die in order for her to have a new lease on life. While we were celebrating, someone else was grieving. Please keep my sister/friend in your prayers. Also, keep the loved ones of the deceased lifted up as well. Thank you!

I shop a lot. This is not a good thing. I will say, I never pay full price for anything. Today I decided to give myself $40 bucks at JC Penny. Look at all the great clothes I bought! Two sweaters, a blouse, a pair of pants, and an outfit for my friends two year old son.

My total came out to $40.05. 5 cents over budget! Oh well. Maybe I will be below budget next month...maybe.

I look at hair magazines and pictures online constantly. I have two hair crushes this week.

Don't you just love the colorful scarf with the curls peeping from the top?!?! Also, the curls on the right couldn't even fit in the picture. The definition to her curls is To.Die.For!

Any who, that's all for the Run Down. If you have any questions or just want to encourage us or would just like to make any suggestions for topics of discussion, feel free to email us at bloggingwhilesingle@gmail.com! We would love to hear from you! Until next time.........................

Top Five: Lessons I Learned In My Twenties

Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of top five. I haven't done a top five in a while. I thought this would be an easy topic but when I actually started writing it I realized I learned a ton of lessons in my twenties! My twenties were full of foolishness and good times. It was also filled with confusion and being lost. Some lessons were pretty easy to learn and some I made twice and learned once lol!

1. Time does not heal all wounds. You have to make the first step towards the healing process. People kill me when they say give it time. I even say it as a reflex when trying to comfort someone. Until your willing to deal with whatever the problem is, it will boil inside you until it has no choice but to boil over unto every aspect of your life.

2. Clothes that fit make you look smaller. If your clothes are to tight they make you look bigger. Muffin top because of your jeans being to tight is not cute. Lesson more than learned!

3. I need my friends. Ladies, have you ever met a guy and made him your whole world? Did you stop calling your friends and gave him your full attention only to have him leave you high and dry? Did your friends give you the stank eye when you came crawling back? They should have.  Listen, I get it. you want your man to feel like your all in. BUT, you need your own life. Your own identity. Don't be that woman who wakes up ten years later saying she lost herself in her man and her kids. If he doesn't want you to have friends or time to yourself, HE'S CRAZY! RED FLAG, RED FLAG!Who wants to be around someone 24/7???!!! Lesson learned and only took one time.

4. Love does not hurt! This was one of my hardest lessons to learn. I have played the fool and been abused a time or two. I think that's why I don't question why some women stay in an abusive relationship. It's hard to break free from someone you love more than anything. It's hard to feel like your worth it when you think your not. Its hard to let go of whats familiar and break free into the great unknown. It's hard to feel like you failed at something. Last but not least, its embarrassing to admit so you just stay and take it. If you have a daughter, go hug her right now. After you've loved on her, please return to reading!

5. Sex does not equate to love! BOOM! I think most young girls I meet have this issue. They think he must love me because he said it and the next step is sex. Not that simple. Sex has a toll on our bodies. Your connected with that person physically and emotionally. Lesson learned and it took a couple of lessons BUT I got it now lol!

What lessons did you learn or are you learning in your twenties? Let's discuss! Until next time....................

My Struggle With Endometriosis

For some reason this subject has been hard for me to write about. I pride myself on being very transparent, yet I still have trouble with this subject. It has effected me physically and mentally. Lets start off with the definition.

 
Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the peritoneum which lines the abdominal cavity. The uterine cavity is lined with endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones. Endometrial-like cells in areas outside the uterus (endometriosis) are influenced by hormonal changes and respond in a way that is similar to the cells found inside the uterus. Symptoms often worsen with the menstrual cycle.


At the age of nineteen I was diagnosed with severe Endometriosis. I was in constant pain. I learned to just cope with it. I thought it was normal to feel like my uterus was falling out of my "lady part" during "that time" of the month. Turns out it wasn't. Below is a picture of what severe Endometriosis looks like. My after surgery pics were twice as bad. My ovaries were stuck in places they should not have been. It looked as if Spider Man had personally paid my insides a visit by webbing everything in sight.

     

You are more likely to develop Endometriosis if you:

· Started your period at a young age

· Never had children

· Have frequent periods or they last 7 or more days


This makes sense. I started my period at the age of nine. I have never had children, and my period used to last more than seven days.

Pain is the main symptom of Endometriosis. A woman with Endometriosis may have:

· Painful periods

 Pain in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation

· Cramps for a week or two before menstruation and during menstruation; cramps may be steady and range from dull to severe)

· Pain during or following sexual intercourse

· Pain with bowel movements

· Pelvic or low back pain that may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle


Now, lets talk treatment (or lack of). I have been on high progesterone pills more than a few times. The side effects are weight gain and depression. I have dealt with both being on this medication. I went from being 145ish to 205. I have also taken Depo Lupron. This medication stops the ovaries from producing estrogen in order to produce a menopause like state. Your supposed to take it every three months. At one time I was taking it every month.



After a few Pelvic Laparoscopy surgeries, I had to have a partial hysterectomy. My left Fallopian tube and ovary were taken out. My doctor did not take out everything in hopes that I would have a baby soon. That was two years ago. I have been told to have a baby since I was 21. Easier said than done, right?

I pray that I am healed from this one day. I also pray that God blesses me with a child or children one day. If not, I am reminded of this............

Psalm 113

⁷ He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
⁸ he seats them with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
⁹ He settles the childless woman in her home
    as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord.

               


Source here.

                         

My Diet Bet Experience

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I'm so excited to kick off the new year. I'm also excited about the Diet Bet challenge that I signed up for. If you've never heard of it, check out the video here. In a nut shell; you sign up or create a bet to lose weight. Who ever looses 4% of there body weight splits the pot. The pot that I'm hoping to split is 1870.00! That's alot of cash! Here's a picture of me before my first workout. I will try to wear this outfit every week to track my progress.

I weighed in at 3.5 lbs higher than what a weighed a couple of weeks ago. For details on my 21 day challenge and the weight I lost check out The Weigh In. I lost a little over 8 lbs in the challenge. Why did I gain so much back in so little time? Glad you asked! I stuffed my face for two weeks straight! If anyone put anything in front of me, I.ATE.IT! No holds bar! Now I'm back on the wagon lol! But I didn't go out with out a bang. My last meal was macaroni and cheese with peppered bacon YUMMY! That's not all..........

As you can see, this challenge couldn't have came at a better time. I will be tracking my progress every week and keeping you updated and informed. Until next time..........................