YOU KNOW YOU’RE GETTING OLDER WHEN…

I was reading one of my favorite blog sites and I saw this article and I just knew I had to post this. Only my old school people will read this and "do one of two things". LYAO because you know this is so true or  still LYAO because you know that this is so TRUE! LOL

When you were younger, you really didn’t think past 21. Now that you’ve crossed that threshold, all this “getting old stuff” is pretty new. Why does a bottle of wine and your couch sound a lot more appealing than a night at the club? Are those laugh lines? Why didn’t that bouncer ask you for your driver’s license?

1. You have to translate texts from your younger relatives.
“wUz Uppppp!?!!?!!  Thnx 4 comMinnng 2 my gaaaaAaamEeee!!! Ur welcs 4 da tiX!!” That translates to “What’s up? Thanks for coming to my game. You’re welcome for the tickets.” Poor you. Maybe you should invest in an under-22 translation dictionary.

2. Music from your high school days is now referred to as “old school.”
Yes, your favorite Jodeci, Wu-Tang and SWV songs are now officially on the old school radio stations.  * Le sigh *

3. The youngsters in your life de-friend you or block you on Facebook.
You are now a stupid grown up with a stupid job.  No longer a cool kid. You just don’t “uNder$tanNd” them!

4. You think you’re about to smash that pizza, but it smashes you.
Back in college you used to inhale pizza like it was air, but now you eat a couple slices and you get the itis. What gives?

5. Your abs seem to be in hiding.
A few sit-ups on the weekend used to have your abs on washboard status. These days, you’re still trying to suck in your stomach to put on your favorite jeans AFTER you do 100 crunches.

6. You find yourself giving rowdy kids “the look.”
Those loud obnoxious groups of teens in the restaurant or movie theater are now intolerable to you.  You actually find yourself thinking “Where are their parents?”

7. You have to stop yourself from screaming, “Boy, pull your pants up!”
Like seriously, do these little boys have to have their entire behinds hanging out?  Why is this considered attractive? No, really. Please tell us.

8. Your high school classmates look ancient now.
Have you ever re-connected with high school friends on Facebook and been like “Daaaaamn?!”  They look so much older than you.  How could this person possibly be your peer? Yes, it has happened and it is true. You are that old.

9. You  have ever uttered the phrase “You don’t know nothin’ about this.”
Whether it’s a song, a movie, a dance move or whatever, if you have EVA said “You don’t know nothin’ about this,” you are definitely getting old.

BONUS: You realize YOU are the “old” person dancing alone to your “jam” in the club.
You used to clown that old dude in the club who would get out and dance in the middle of the floor by himself when the DJ put on that “jam” from 15 years ago. Now, sadly, you are that person and probably muttering to yourself “You don’t know nothin’ about this” while you two-step to your memories. Gone ‘head grandma/pa.

What have you noticed about yourself that lets you know you’re getting old.

You can read this and more on www.madamenoire.com

DIAMONDS & PEARLS CHANGING THE WORLD ONE SMALL STEP AT A TIME! PART 2

Ms. Neka with her D&P girls and our new friends!

After the Diamonds and Pearls luncheon the girls were on their way to Women’s Shelter, this was not the first community service that Diamonds and Pearls has volunteered their time. However this is the first time our girls were going to see and learn a very valueable lesson on giving back to our community! 

The girls having fun in the play area.

The girls were excited about meeting the families from the shelter and so was the D&P mom’s. We all had no idea what we were in store for? We drove up to a nice white house that seemed just like any other home you would see in the suburbs. 

Director Ms.Shundrea  

Once we walked into the house we were greeted by the very sweet and kind Director "Ms. Shundrea". Lurking around the corner were three beautiful young ladies giggling and running in and out of the living room, while looking at us with BIG smiles on their faces. Ms. Shundrea explained to us how the shelter runs and what are the house rules.

Our D&P Ladies ready to make a change!

 We followed Ms. Shundrea and the three young ladies to the entertainment and play room. In that room there was also two other children and their mothers. The D&P girls stepped right into action and started to entertain the children. The children from the shelter showed some of our girls their bedrooms that they shared with their mother. They also talked about their life living in the shelter.

The real excitement came when a very special guest arrived and stoled the Show!

The children almost lost their minds when they saw Santa and all the great gifts and food he brought for them! 

  

         

There were so many smiling faces, there was so much happiness, excitement, enthusiasm, joy and love through at the room! I stood there and watched all the girls and mom's interact with each other, crying with each other, and hugging each other!

 

I also watched how the children of the center was so happy to see Santa and thanked him for all the gifts he brought them. It was at that time I found myself feeling overwhelmed with emotions! To see and know for a fact that our D&P girls not only help two families to have a Wonderful Christmas, but they also learned a valuable lesson that day!  

                                                                                                         

This is what Diamonds and Pearls is all about empowering, encouraging and learning from one another! Of course all of this could not be made possible without the love and support of our D&P mom's!  The below women are the Diamonds and Pearls moms who are all very unique women, and I'm so proud and blessed to call each one of these women my friends!  

D&P mom's also playing it forward!  

Doing the Most We Can to Help Everyone

Victims of domestic violence come in every color, at every income and education level, in every part of the world.  Right here in Georgia, over 1000  women are reportedly abused daily. Can you really help them all? Can you? Haven House says yes, YOU can. With your help, Haven House (formerly Flint Circle Council on Family Violence, Inc.) Make a Donation Why Donate Your donations  not only help to bring victims of domestic violence to more secure environments, but they also help to provide community education that will STOP the cycle of violence in Henry, Jasper, Butts, and Lamar Counties. How to Donate Website Donations Donations to (formerly Flint Circuit Council on Family Violence, Inc.) can be made easily through our website by clicking the link below. Through www.NetworkForGood.org a third party donation administrator, your transaction  is encrypted and secured to ensure that your funds will be used for the good that you’ve intended.

DIAMONDS & PEARLS FIRST ANNUAL LUNCHEON PART 1

Diamonds & Pearls with founder D&P founder Neka Scott

What an amazing year Diamonds and Pearls has had so far! D & P started off with just 8 young ladies and now we've grown to 15 young ladies in counting. This incredible group started from one phenomenal woman Mrs. Neka Scott! Her vision and creative ideas are limitless, her true dedication, determination and her willingness to keep moving for her Doll's is all that matters to her!  This is just the beginning for this wonderful group and I'm so humbled and thankful to be apart of D&P and to help empower our young ladies! 

The girls at their luncheon

Neka making a announcement to girls before their gift exchange.

Diamonds and Pearls First Annual Luncheon was held at a local Chilis Restaurant with all of the D&P young ladies in attendants. During the luncheon the girls exchanged their Secret Santa gifts. Prior to the girls gift exchange Ms. Neka made a announcement that after the luncheon, we were all going to visit a Women's Shelter to spend some time with the women and their children. We would also give each child from the shelter their toys from our Toy Drive. I was so emotional and very proud to see all the young ladies getting very excited about this!


There was so much excitement and positive energy flowing throught out the restaurant. The other wonderful part to this day was the young ladies had know idea how they were about to change two families lives! 

  This was just the beginning of Diamonds and Pearls journey stay tune for Part 2.

“Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff” by: Ntozake Shange

I love Tyler Perry to pieces but at this present time I have yet to see his movie“For coloured girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf”. Almost everyday I would hear from my family, friends and co-workers talk about this movie. Not only would they talk about the movie but also about this poem in the movie called "My Stuff". Once I finished reading this beautiful poem I knew I had post it also. I hope you like it too! 

somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff 
not my poems or a dance i gave up in the street
 but somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff

like a kleptomaniac workin hard & forgettin while stealin
 this is mine/this aint yr stuff/
now why don’t you put me back & let me hang out in my own self

somebody almost walked off wit alla my stuff 
& didn’t care enuf to send a note home sayin 
i was late for my solo conversation
 or two sizes to small for my own tacky skirts

what can anybody do wit somethin of no value on
a open market/ did you getta dime for my things/
hey man/ where are you goin wid alla my stuff/
to ohh & ahh abt/ daddy/ i gotta mainline number 
from my own shit/ now wontcha put me back/ & let
 me play this duet/ wit silver ring in my nose/
honest to god/

somebody almost run off wit alla my stuff/ 
& i didnt bring anythin but the kick & sway of it 
the perfect ass for my man & none of it is theirs 
this is mine/ ntozake ‘her own things’/ that’s my name
 now give me my stuff/ i see ya hidin my laugh/ & how i
s it wif my legs open sometimes/ to give me 
some sunlight/ & there goes my love my toes my chewed 
up finger nails/ niggah/ wif the curls in yr hair/
mr. louisiana hot link/ 

i want my stuff back/
my rhytums &; my voice/ open my mouth/ &; let me talk ya 
outta/ throwin my shit in the sewar/ this is some delicate 
leg & whimsical kiss/ i gotta have to give to my choice/
without you runnin off wit alla my shit/
now you cant have me less i give me away/ &; i waz
doin all that/ til ya run off on a good thing/ 

who is this you left me wit/ some simple bitch 
widda bad attitude/ i wants my things/
i want my arm wit the hot iron scar/ & my leg wit the
 flea bite/ i want my calloused feet & quik language back
in my mouth/ fried plantains/ pineapple pear juice/ 
sun-ra & joseph & jules/ i want my own things/ how i lived them/
& give me my memories/ how i waz when i waz there/
you cant have them or do nothin wit them/ 

stealin my shit from me/ dont make it yrs/ makes it stolen/
somebody almost run off wit alla my stuff/ & i waz standin
 there/ lookin at myself/ the whole time 
& it waznt a spirit took my stuff/ waz a man whose 
ego walked round like Rodan’s shadow/ waz a man faster
n my innocence/

waz a lover/ i made too much 
room for/ almost run off wit alla my stuff/
& i didnt know i’d give it up so quik/ & the one runnin wit it/
don’t know he got it/ & i’m shoutin this is mine/ & he dont 
know he got it/ my stuff is the anonymous ripped off treasure
 of the year/

did you know somebody almost got away wit me/
me in a plastic bag under their arm/ me 
danglin on a string of personal carelessness/ i’m spattered wit
 mud & city rain/ & no i didnt get a chance to take a douche/
hey man/ this is not your perogative/ i gotta have me in my
 pocket/ to get round like a good woman shd/ & make the poem
in the pot or the chicken in the dance/


what i got to do/
i gotta get my stuff to do it to/
why dont ya find yr own things/ &; leave this package 
of me for my destiny/ what ya got to get from me/
i’ll give it to ya/ yeh/ i’ll give it to ya/
round 5:00 in the winter/ when the sky is blue-red/
& Dew City is gettin pressed/ if it’s really my stuff/
ya gotta give it to me/ if ya really want it/ i’m 
the only one/ can handle it

-ntozake shange. “For coloured girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf”
Photo Credits: Former residents of a group of illegal structures pick through the debris of what was once their homes after the Nairobi City Council tore down the structures on the night of December 16th, 2009.

DIAMONDS & PEARLS ARE PLAYING IT FORWARD!

Diamonds & Pearls Toy Drive 2010

Diamonds and Pearls held their first Toy Drive and many family and friends participated in helping our community to give back  during these difficult times. We were so surprised and humbled at the amount of donations we received.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

One of our beautiful family's donating their toys.  

Even the babies came out to give their toys!

 Ms. Angela dropping off her donation to the Toy Drive!

Toy Drive beginning Oct.1st-Dec.10th 2010 we are asking for donations of an unwrapped toy or gift for ages 2-18 both male and female. We are collecting for 3 different shelters this year and in addition to toys we’re asking for books, bibles (youth and adult) and inspirational material as well. While your donations are much appreciated your time is also welcomed. Please let me know if you would like to assist in anyway!! 


It's so very important that we do not forget how blessed we are, for all the material things and people that we have in our lives at this time! Also never forget that our life always have twisted and turns to it. We never no if at one point in time in our lives we may need help also. This is why it's so important for you to give back if you can.


Thank you all once again and our Toy Drive is still open until December 10, 2010. 


For more infomation you can call Neka Scott 678-389-1309 or send an email toneka_pinkdiamonds@yahoo.com or theessenceofone@gmail.com 

D&P Founder Neka Scott and one of her good friends also dropping
off her Toy donation.

Also one of Ms. Scott beautiful friends playing it forward!

DIAMONDS & PEARLS TOY DRIVE

It’s that time of year again, time to give back!! We will be hosting a Toy Drive beginning Oct.1st-Dec.10th 2010 we are asking for donations of an unwrapped toy or gift for ages 2-18 both male and female. We are collecting for 3 different shelters this year and in addition to toys we’re asking for books, bibles (youth and adult) and inspirational material as well. While your donations are much appreciated your time is also welcomed. Please let me know if you would like to assist in anyway!!

For more infomation you can call Neka Scott 678-389-1309 or send an email to neka_pinkdiamonds@yahoo.com or theessenceofone@gmail.com 

ALWAYS KEEP IT REAL AND NATURAL!

Going natural is the new trend for many African-American women. We've got the story of a Florida news anchor whose process lead to a ratings increase when you read on...

And yes, we're WELL aware the story came out over a week ago.  But we felt this is a positive story that can never get too much attention and we wanted to post it here as well.  Chill.

Rochelle Ritchie of WPTV-TV in West Palm Beach, Florida decided to let her hair go 'natural' and let viewers see the transformation. During the process, the ratings of Ritchie's show increased. When she first told the idea to the news director, a white man, he had no idea about the process. The news director said," I had no clue this was an issue. I never heard about it, and I had African American friends. I instantly bought into this story. I had not seen this story done. It brings up a safety concern." His only concern was that the viewing audience wouldn't care but the feedback proved positive.

Ritchie also posted her story on a website.

"Making the decision to go natural was not an easy one, especially being a black female reporter. After graduating Western Kentucky University in 2004, I accepted an editor position at a local TV station in my home of Lexington, KY. I had sent out tons of resume tapes hoping to one day be a reporter. But I didn’t get one interview with my relaxed shoulder length hair. One day an anchor, black female, told me I needed to get extensions if I wanted to land a job. I got extensions and made a new tape with my new look and I started getting calls immediately. From there the belief that I needed extensions in order to be hired set in. I spent more money on my hair than anything. In six years I spent $9600, my student loans are $9500, so that should give you an idea of where my priorities were.

“The story about going natural developed while I was having a conversation on the phone with a friend at work. My producer heard me saying, ‘I am going natural, I am tired of wigs, weaves and relaxers.’ She (producer) asked me what I meant by that and I showed her YouTube videos of black women who were on the journey of going natural. She was stunned and said, ‘Rochelle that would make a great story for sweeps.’ I pitched the idea and with her support as well as our female anchor they allowed me to do it. My news director’s response was great. His only concern was just keeping up with the process of my story and hair. My general manager is a great guy and totally supported me as well.

The fear of getting a new job with my new look does not scare me because I believe my work and passion for this business will shine through.

“I have had such an AMAZING response from the community. People of all genders and races have completely supported me with positive feedback. Of course if there were any negative emails my news director does not send those to me. But personally I haven’t gotten one email or Facebook comment that was negative. A matter of fact many of my white and Latino colleagues say I look more professional. I believe this as well. I feel I look more polished and sharp. I also feel like I think better without all that fake hair on my head! lol….

“For my ‘black female reporter hopefuls’ I say let your work show your ability to be a good, excuse me a great reporter. My story is a way for me to pave the way for black women’s hair to be acceptable not just in the professional world but on TV! I would say if you are natural. Keep it neat. And if you are worried about getting a job the fabulous thing is we can straighten our hair for the interview and go back to our beautiful curls when we leave.

“Do I have any regrets? Yes I do. I regret denying my natural beauty. I regret falling into the belief that I needed to look a certain way to get into this business instead of believing in my ability as a reporter. I regret allowing someone to cover me up. But no more! This is me, Rochelle Ritchie a natural, professional and happy television reporter. And I feel more confident now than ever before and look forward to climbing the ladder of success with all my kinky curls.”

 Please watch this I'm sure you will learn a thing or two about yourself or just learn!

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/local_news/special_reports/Special-Report%3A-Going-Natural