Taking a sabbatical

I need a little time to get some things together in my personal life.
I'll return stronger, wiser and more ambitious than I am now!
No matter what's facing you, something bigger, worse, better is facing your neighbor!
Take it all as a blessing and trust God in the process, He's with you.
Grab your shovel and dig, and dig some more..... it's in there, its coming!

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Aspiration....

She is one of my favorite people! She makes me so proud to be a black woman!
KEEP ON DIGGIN!

Evolving...

Hang around those who inspire you to be better, do better and receive better!
If you are in a relationship (of any kind) that causes you to deteriorate, eliminate the dead weight and elevate. Keep digging it's coming!

Loving

Flaws and all are loved, embraced and must accepted before improvement can start.
I love me and I continue to dig... Grab your shovel too!

The Best Me

It's much easier to lead by example, than to sell the vision verbally.
Be who you are ands stop trying to sell the you, you wish you were.

Nothing like having real friends

I was cleaning my voicemail box today. I never check messages.
Today of the 22 messages, 17 were "Hey Girl, just thinking about you".
I am so loved!

Aware.....

Regardless of what they think.... Keep smiling, they hate it! BE HAPPY!

Still in the fighting

I have to remember this on the days I want to quit.
Still digging!

I borrowed this from Les Brown

Stay connected with someone or people who inspire, nourish and bring out the best in you. It takes time to pull yourself together and to heal if you’ve been hurt, humiliated, or become emotionally broken because of what you’ve gone through. You can become disconnected with the real you and forget who you really are. It’s necessary to read, listen and focus on positive things. Things that strengthen your mind, develop your confidence and fortify your spirit. Create a strategy that will allow yourself to rid your life of people whose only intention is to strip, destroy, or take you down.

Be aware that there are certain situations that are just not good for you. Make a conscious, deliberate effort to focus your mind exclusively on things that will build you up, give you hope and expand the possibilities in all dimensions of your life. You have the capacity and the ability to rebuild your life. What you have gone through can be used to develop another part of yourself. Stay connected with positive people with the knowledge that you will get through this. You have something special. You have GREATNESS within you!

an auntie!

Today is my only nephews' birthday!
Chase is 4 today. He has to be the cutest little guy ever.
He is a hemophiliac and has had multiple surgeries.
His little body has scars everywhere. One day he raised his shirt to show me his chest.
I flinched. It was then that I realized, that is his reality and it's all he knows.
Kids are amazing and just watching them, so much is learned and should be appreciated.
We as adults feel some kind of way not understanding that children are so innocent and share life as they know it. He is only 4 and a natural born fighter. I'm so grateful!

Still digging.....

the product of an awesome mom!

She never told what I couldn't do!
She showed me that anything is possible through hard work.

Getting ready to go see Cupcake

She asks me for things, simple things.
This time she wants me to take her to the fair.....
I'm so excited. I see so much of me in her, it's amazing.
Everything I know, I use to elevate her into the best person ever.

Searching to find my smile again.....

Some days it's harder than others. Still diggin'

YES I AM!

#Preach on FB!

INSPIRED BY INDIA

Tonight I went to the best concert ever!
India.Arie has been one of my favorite musicians ever.
She is amazingly talented and even more inspiring.
After attending the concert tonight I feel like I know her and she and I are more alike than different. I'm so grateful. I've been wanting to see her since I was 20, when Video came out!
I sat out in the hot sun 12 years ago, waiting for her in concert and her she didn't make it, I waited for 3 hours and I was so hot and so sad.... good things come to those who wait. I've finished two projects since Tuesday! I'm so excited for the next round!!!


Grab your shovel and keep diggin!
#BEINSPIRED!

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Alfred Lord Tennyson


 

Still grinding....

I'm getting my balance back finally!!!!
I've finished my cookbook for children.
I've started shooting my videos again.
I'm booking catering gigs, left and right.
I have a team who loves and supports me because we believe in supporting each other simply because we are friends, sisters, moms, daughters, aunts,cousins and understand the importance of support. Not one single person is out for themselves or a selfish goal or greed. We need each other because together we are a solid foundation. I'm grateful for each
lesson.  Got a shovel and I'm diggin!

The coolest dude ever!

Today is Tommy's birthday.
Often times we get blessings in boxes we didn't expect to receive.
He's good to my mom, myself, Cupcake.
The biggest blessing ever, wouldn't trade that guy for the world.


Happy Birthday Tommy!!!!
#lovethatguy!

Making moves toward the best life ever!

in progress.

Keep it moving! These all fall inline with activating faith!

 

She gave me life!

Happy Birthday Mama!

Somethings need long drawn out statements.

My mom is simple, I love her so!

Good Friends

One of my besties came down for the weekend and I had a blast.
We ate all we could stand, traveled from corner to corner and we enjoyed each other's company. My Pam Bam is a strong woman with very bright future and she is one of my dearest friends. I'm glad God placed her in my life.

We believe in each other and we both have strong systems of support and make it a point to inspire each other to continue in pursuit of our passions. As artists with a passion for arts and creativity, it's difficult to make others see your dream when they refuse to follow their own. I left Arkansas and all I wanted to do was act and cook. She wants to sing, make jewelry and write. Somewhere in here we can mix our talents and make something doper than a musician with a drug habit......

She has a shovel too and I know she is in the trenches diggin with me!

 

doing a new thing....

Today I'm going to Shreveport to shoot a TV show.
It's a new show on Bounce TV and 'm so excited.
The show will air on 9/14/13.
The link is www.thetonyadavisshow.com

   

Who I am....

Still working in God's timing

The more successful I become, the more I need a man.

Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside while still alive. Never surrender.

 In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.

Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20.

A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because her trust is not on the branch but on it’s own wings. Always believe in yourself.

Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.~ Beyonce

Logic will get you from A to Z. Imagination will get you everywhere.

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.


Some of  my favorite quotes....

Pose. Smile.Next!

Never look like what you've been through.... God is still good!

Life is like a camera. Just focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t turn out – take another shot.

   

Celebrating

Today is my mom and Tommy's anniversary!
 It's amazing how as a kid, you want your parent's to stay together, regardless of the state of the relationship.
My parent's divorce was one of the best things that ever happened to us.
I gained awesome step-parents! They both made great choices in their current mates.
How lucky am I? 24 years going strong!Their love allows me to believe in love, the like each other and are friends. Love is hard to believe in when we live in a world, were sex is easier to get than love. Yeah I'm celebrating because I still believe.

Happy Birthday PawPaw!

 My Grandpa Louis, had to be the coolest guy ever!
He passed away when I was 19. It was my sophmore year in college.
I was his first grand. I remember my mom called me on October 14, 1999.
She said "We are all going to the Dr. with Daddy on the 18th, the Dr. said his lungs were dark and he may have lung cancer." I felt empty, lost and that night I sat down and made a list of everything I could accomplish before the inevitable. That week I saw one of my uncles and told him what my mom told me..... I knew he wasn't handling it well. And of all the people to call me to confirm the bad news, it was him. It was a quick, yet painful stab in the heart. He left a voicemail and I knew he had been stabbed as well, I didn't take it personal. I went back to Arkansas for Christmas and we got to spend his last days with him. He wasn't the same and I was already missing him. The outpouring of love and support from friends, family and community was stellar. My grandpa was amazing, no other word(s) could describe him. He and my grandma taught us so much.

If you can eat, you can always feed someone.
If you take care of people, they will always take care you,
Love and protect your family, you are all you have!
Know where you come from and appreciate your heritage.
Be proud of who you are and don't take wooden nickels.

I miss him so much.

He passed away January 2, 2000 from lung cancer.
The opening line to his eulogy preached by his brother was "Have you ever met a ship too big for the water?" I think that was a very accurate description.

Happy Birthday PawPaw!

Empowered!

 Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of what you do about it!
You can't let the little things stop you, there are more to come.
No matter how big or little, keep moving!!!
Grab your shovel and keep on diggin!

Changed

It's funny how you begin to get what you pray for and hate the box the gift comes in, or hate the wrapping paper, which makes us negotiate the pleasure of that gift.

I've been changed for the better, the worse, the different...... I've been changed.
On August 18, 2013 I had, had a really good day!
I went out to eat with a friend and hung out with a new friend and I was happy!
Made it home around 12am and around 1215 I heard gunshots about 4 to 5.
I called my neighbor to see if he had heard them and he wasn't home.
So around 12:30 I heard alot of gunshots, them seemed pretty close so I got on the ground.
All of a sudden I hear screams and I run to the door.....
To see one of my neighbors bloody on the ground about 5 steps from my door.
I watched him take his last breath, there is something about watching some die that changes you.
You will never be the you, you once were and you better strive to be a better than you could have imagine.
A matter of seconds and he was gone and the sound of him taking his last breath is one that plays in my head like my favorite song. That sound is tattooed there and I'll never forget it. Life is so fragile, so precious and regardless of who you are and what you do, you are loved and will be missed.
I said all that to say, I'm grateful, this change was necessary but unfavorable in it's occurance and the abruptness for change. They also shot my car in the crossfire, but had my car not been there, they would have shot into my apartment. I have all my pieces in the same functioning order and God still moves stones. I'm grateful. I have a shovel and I'm digging harder, smarter and with much more passion. I suggest you do the same. But whatever you chose, just be grateful!

My hopes

I hope I’ve inspired you to keep diggin, no matter what!

I hope I’ve inspired you to keep diggin, no matter what!

The meeting of the haters and disgruntled..... I've met them both!

Establish yourself

I thought this was interesting.

a visionary!

 

 

Remember someone invented beanie babies!!!!

Never think an idea is stupid, it could be your big break!

Write the vision make it plain.

Grab your shovel and keep on diggin!

Looking for loyalty

Being a single woman with established independence, here is my petition!

Welcoming progress....

 

 If you can't change the people around you, change the people around you!

Able to use my gifts

 

 We have all been given a vision and they can all make us "successful, depending on what we do when our eyes are open. No time to sleep on dreams, when reality is waiting!

 

 

Grateful for evolution....

could carry an attitude or a grudge like a champ!!!!!

Everyday I'm more grateful for the changes God has made in my life.
Forgiveness is good for everyone, but most importantly it's good for self!
Still digging to be the best me, I can be!

Missing Netia.....

Netia was my favorite cousin.

If I ever had a sister it would've been her. She was amazing!
She passed away 10 years ago today, she had Lupus.
We were  to be tested to see I could have given her a kidney.
She passed way about 2 weeks before the appointment and exactly 2 weeks after my birthday.
I think of her often and miss her like it just happened.
She always told me, I could do better than I ever thought I could and constantly reminded me why I shouldn't settle. Why eat crumbs from the floor when there is a whole cake on the table? I really miss her, so it's become my mission to succeed for the both of us.
She inspires me to keep digging.

Rushing to hurry up and wait.....

Tudi Wilson shared Miya B's photo.

about an hour ago

 

The hard part is not being too irritated to see  believe the blessing is coming.

Who wants to wait when they have been grinding?

Not me, but I learn so much through the process....

God doesn't bless mess...... still digging!

 

 

 

 

Supporting.....

 

We all have a vision and we can't get there alone.
Support often times gives us the motivation to keep digging. It's quite difficult to keep fighting for a dream when no one believes in you or your vision. Even on the darkest of days, we must continue to believe that it will get better.
Keep diggin' breakthrough is near.

It is...

Learn something.
Learn old school methods of courting, how to treat women.
The media is the most damaging source of all relationships.
Music, videos and TV shows promote sex not love, big money by whatever means and plastic surgery like everyone should look a certain way.
Appreciate people for their authenticity and allow them to love you because of yours.....
Cookie cutters go with chocolate chip cookies, not people who wants to be like everyone else?
Embrace chivalry, responsibility and honesty, treat her like she matters and she will reciprocate.
Keep digging and find the better parts of yourself..... I'm under construction, shovel in hand.

I aspire to be a bridge

Leave a mark on this world.
Leave a legacy that can be built upon by future generations.
Be something. Do something.

Most importantly keep digging!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

First thing first.....

Just Do You by India.Arie

This woman has written some amazing songs.
I love her inspiration. I play it all the time for my Cupcake.... (the love of my life)
We play this song daily and dance like we are in the video (LOL)
I'm going to post the lyrics because I find them to be amazingly inspiring.
When we live in a world that is filled with cookie cutter originality, being yourself is the hardest thing to be. This song gives you "permission" to be your own amazing self!

I feel freaking fabulous every time I play it!

"Just Do You"

I heard a voice that told me I'm essential
How all my fears are limiting my potential
Said it's time to step into the light and
Use every bit of the power I have inside

So what'chu waiting on
Who You waiting for
If You don't take a chance You'll never know what's in store

Just Do You (Somebody's got to be a star)
Just Do You (Somebody's got to raise the bar)
Just Do You (Somebody's got to change the game)
Just Do You (Today)

Every mountain needs someone to climb it
Every ocean needs someone to dive in
Every dream needs someone to wish it
Every adventure needs someone to live it

So what'chu waiting on
Who You waiting for
If You don't take a chance You'll never know what's in store

Just Do You (Somebody's got to be a star)
Just Do You (Somebody's got to raise the bar)
Just Do You (Somebody's got to change the game)
Just Do You (Today)

If You create the game then You create the rules
And if You just be You
There's no way You can lose

There's a story waiting for you to write it
There's a treasure waiting for you to find it
There's a picture waiting for you to paint it
There's a dollar waiting for you to make it

So what'chu waiting on
Who You waiting for
If You don't take a chance You'll never know what's in store

Just Do You (Somebody's got to be a star)
Just Do You (Somebody's got to raise the bar)
Just Do You (Somebody's got to change the game)
Just Do You (Today)

If You create the game then You create the rules
And if You just be You
There's no way You can lose

The best lesson....

I thought friendships were like those on TV.
They were perfect, playful laughter and never conflicting.
I've since learned that friendships are supposed to go through trials and struggles and breaks!
The real friends that I have, have taught me so much about love, relationships and the beautiful ugly of loving someone and sticking it out for the greater good. Because you have something to valuable to walk away from or give up on, the reconciliation makes the bond that much better, greater, stronger and it's definitely something worth preserving.

The one friend who taught me this lesson is the one friend I'll forever be friends with!

We both had shovels and continued to dig, in search of something better, we discovered the grass wasn't greener and it was a fake as the Easter Basket grass..... here today and gone tomorrow....

No pieces, no parts!

Hold on to no pieces or parts of the pain.
Remember the lesson, free hands grab bigger blessings, hold bigger shovels and keep right on digging!

It get's better in due time!

My three besties...... But Courage, Oh he's my favorite!

Dreaming, Digging and about to Dive in!

I've come too far to turn around.... and today I'm a bit overwhelmed!

You know I still have the shovel though!!!!!


DIGGING HARDER THAN EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remembering Michael Jackson

I can't think about my childhood without thinking of Michael Jackson.
We had the making of Thriller and a view finder with the slides and all the albums!!!!!!
Michael Jackson was infinite, bigger than the biggest fish in the pond.
RIL Michael, you are missed.

Anxious

Getting Tudilicious out of my head and into a tangible product has been a journey!
Today I put my first real label on my first real jar and I lost my mind in the store.
I haven't stopped being grateful, I now know what I'm working for.
Honestly the best feeling has been, seeing my BBQ sauce come to life.
I've cried and complained, I've lost the faith a few times but whenever I gained my strength to keep fighting, my faith grew stronger as well. Right now I'm well aware that this is so much bigger than me, I get to be the vessel that carries something amazing to share with the world. I'm who has become strong through trials and tests. I am. I trust that learning to be happy with what you have is the first step in happiness. I can't wait for step 2.

 Step in, stand up and be still!~ Alejandro Perez

Still diggin' gratefully!

Confident

I've had a 1001 things to drive me crazy in the last 2 weeks.
My A/C in my house went out, I had a blow out on my car, I lost my job and I've inherited a kid for the summer. Talk about change......
With all of these things happening in such a short amount of time, it's been overwhelming.
My struggle is new because now I'm accountable for another person and I feel as though I'm being unfair to her. What can I say? I fly by the skin of my teeth hoping to hit the bullseye and she gives me momentum to get there a little faster, to swing a little harder. Kids are amazing, who knew I would become this different in such a short amount of time. I said all that to say, that my battle to be myself has been reoccurring with all that's happened as of late. Losing my confidence in myself because I feel so unstable and out of sorts..... But amazingly she doesn't care, to her I still get to be Superwoman and my faith still allows me to shine, because no matter how I feel, she sees me as a light. Got my confidence and my fire back... the fight is on.... WATCH OUT WORLD, I'M ON MY WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Still diggin, but the purpose has become so much bigger.

Learning to forgive....

Evolution should be inevitable. But often times we stunt our growth by holding on to our hurts, not forgiving, holding grudges. I had major issues with a family member and we didn't speak for 5 years. Because I felt I was owed an apology and that is a task that person is probably not equipped to perform. We have to meet people where they are and love them for who they are even when we don't understand them. Until recently I held the person accountable for what would make me feel better, not realizing that expecting them to apologize, was like asking them to walk on water. Well this person had a major life changing experience and I found out about it. I moved my hurt aside and called to check on them and in that instant, none of my feelings mattered. The only thing that mattered was healing, for the both of us. Today we talk alot more, and usually about nothing in particular. It's a great feeling, because I've trusted God in leading me to be a bigger, better person. I have no heaven or hell to place anyone. Luckily neither do they, and we can work on building a better relationship with no expecatations. I'm grateful. On the journey to my dreams, this is one of the issues that was blocking my growth and I feel so much freer for making a conscious decision to forgive and work on being better in every way.


Still diggin!

Can't stop smiling!

Today I put my first label on my first jar.
I completely fell apart in the store.
Everything I've worked for became real at that moment.
I'm so grateful!!!!!!!!
I didn't let it beat me!
Yeah, I'm still digging and who knows how much farther I have to go.
But I did find a treasure today and I absolutely love it!
God is awesome and I'm glad he chose me!

Excited beyond words!

The truth is....

I was terrible at anything I hated or didn't want to do!
I've learned to embrace the steps of process and know those uncomfortable places will bring me closer to the goal, in due time. I got good at making jelly after the fiasco with my former partners and I hated it because I couldnt find the balance in the chemistry. Thanks to Grandma Patsy who took her time and guided me through the process lovingly. I'm a good jelly maker now! People can show you all kinds of amazing things to make your burden lighter. I'm grateful for all the angels God has placed in my path. I'm terrible with paper work, twitter and remembering names. I have been blessed with wonderful friends who make me, they keep me, they support me and love me regardless. I'm not always loveable or supportable. But what I've learned to be true is that when people believe in you, they will support you, love you and pray that you succeed, knowing that everyone will succeed with you. No man is an island, and if he no one knows the island exists!

God,Mama, Tommy, Cupcake, April, Pam, Crystal, Monique, Melissa, Kimmy, Pleshette, Tecia, Rashida,Tracey, Tashawn, Tina, Kendra, Tenille, J-Boog, Josh, Meeka, Kiana, Monica, Tami, Dana, Victor, O, Jeff, Judith, Vanessa, Ida, Kisha H. Luster, David, Dell, Bri, Derrick, Cheryl, Kathy, Sunny, Ashley, Melodee, Kam, Byrd, Tory,Goober, Jalen, Jaren, Willie, Adrian, Karen, Tiffany, Juliet, Cooper, YiLynne, Debbie, Tara, Richard, Johnathan, April, Oyadare, Dulce, GiGi, Ms. Daralyn, Quita Beata, Alejandro, Cynthia, Angela, Terrie, Shachor, Donna,

MY UNCLES... Buck, Blue,Andrew, Don..... I LOVE THOSE GUYS, MY UNCLES ARE THE BOMB.COM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Grandparents, Grandma Patsy, Felita, Sheila....


We are all diggin together, who could ask for more?
These are people who have been here, there, on the journey. Each has made a major contribution to my growth, my life and my dream! When my head hung low, they were there to wipe the tears and remind me that I still had it, something to fight for, dreaming bigger, working harder!
I asked for an angel and I got a whole bunch!

The battle....

As if life isn't hard enough, it doubly hard when you hate everything... work, finances, relationships, emotions, spirit, heart....

But anything worth having is worth fighting for, and the fight will often times wear you out, make you want to quit, question your ability..... Keep your dukes up and box with it.

I've tried to leave cooking and the food industry alone so many times, I tried to walk away.
I keep coming back to it because it's what drives me, passion, love, creativity and the joy I feel in preparing each meal. I've felt completely lost when I wasn't working in the food industry. I can't imagine being somewhere else, doing something else.... After 5 years in TX, I get it. I'm so grateful that I stayed, didn't give in. I'm reaping the harvest after all the sewing, all the crying, the labor, none of any of it has been in vain. I trusted God and he has shown himself over and over again. I'm grateful.

Keep diggin, yeah, keep diggin!

Hey Tomorrow :-)

I anxiously await my future, knowing it's no where near my thoughts of amazing..... God has it laid out so much bigger, better than my feeble mind can conceive. Hello tomorrow, what took you so long to get here????? I've been waiting!


Still diggin'

Cupcake....Because I love her so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had all of these plans on how my summer with the love of my life would go.....
Cupcake is my niece, she brings a smile to my face, her voice, her laugh, her smile!
This is the first summer we have spent together and the longest amount of time we've spent together ever. I didn't know how it would effect me, change my life. I didn't know I was "mommy" material, but I've jumped in this thing and oooohhhhh what can I say? I guess it's natural?
I love her and I'm so excited about all the possibilities, opportunities and growth that I'm experiencing with her. She tells me all the time "I'm glad we get to spend time together."
I thought I was doing my mom a favor by keeping her for the summer, I think it's the other way around. Who knew this little person could really put a brighter shine in my life? I'm so grateful.
Everything isn't how I'd like it, but it's ok, it's functioning and perfect.

I got my shovel and I'm still diggin' and right now I have a partner.