Ok! I am attempting to do another challenge that Robin from WhoGivesaScrap suggested we try as we were kicking around the ideas of "smash-booking" and doing a "Book of Me" for the summer...If you have not seen this blog yet, it is very inspiring with ideas to keep you busy.

Since we just discovered the challenge, we are obviously not in tune with the actual blog who is hosting the challenge. I have posted the link below, in case you are interested in checking out the host of the challenge, cute blog too!

If you happen to join in on the challenge, good luck! I would love to see what you come up with if you do participate, so if you do please feel free to leave a link to your blog or wherever you have posted the challenge in your response so I can check you out!

 

Find the challenge here: http://www.iheartrunwithscissors.com/

Here is my Day 1 Challenge: My title page... =) (it was a little shaded due to trying to do this at bedtime...and the lighting was dim to I would not wake Breanna...cold huh? I know...anyways...

 Day 2 Challenge: Use this page to create 3-5 tangible goals for this journal challenge

 Day 3 Challenge:  Use your name as an Arcrostic to tell us a little bit about yourself. Get creative with this one.

Thanks for looking!

Black Girls RUN!

In my horrendous collection of magazines, I finally got to rummage through one of my Heart & Soul Magazines and there was a section about groups that African American women can join for support in losing weight and getting fit and possibly find local chapters right in your neighborhood.

I believe there were 3 different groups that were highlighted and Black Girls Run was the first group that I stumbled across...and I am ever so thankful that I did!

I have had some friends ask about the group "Black Girls Run" that are of a different race and didn't understand why there was a group dedicated just for African American women. My girlfriend asked me, "Do black girls run differently?"...lol...nope we run the same however....its the same reason we have African American colleges, African American Sororities and Fraternities, etc. And the "groups" don't just stop with African Americans, they are throughout minority communities. There are even groups out there that try and be hush hush about it, but many are just OUT about it and thats OK!!

I have a lot to say about this topic, only because I have experienced some stuff personally.

Unfortunately, African American women are usually not discussed when it comes to athletic abilities or the like or want to be fit or work out. TRUE enough we have alot goin on when we want to work but we still do it! If you are one of my followers and you may not know what I am referring to...let me enlighten you....we have issues with the HAIR! See....WE cannot go out, have a bomb work out, go wash our hair, and shake it dry! Its a PROCESS....lol...which is the same reason you may not find us in the pools and beaches too often! But we still do it...And when I say its a process, please believe me when I say it is truly a process.

Let me ask you this...when is the last time you have walked down the workout DVD isle at Target or whatever store and saw an African American woman on the cover? Hardly ever. Have you ever noticed our selection of hair care products in a grocery store or in Target / Walmart? Probably NOT because most likely we may be at the BOTTOM of an END CAP! But anyway...I don't want this post to turn out into something completely different, because I have already gotten slightly off track!

ANYWAY......I found this group and once I did some research, I discovered that Black Girls Run has chapters in major cities, and guess what! They had a chapter in my backyard! WOO HOO!!! SO, I found the chapter which has a facebook page! And MAN! It was a beautiful thing I tell you! Discovering so many women, that I can relate to that live near me that can inspire me and help me along my journey!

I have participated in 2 different meet ups as we do one monthly at different locations. These sistas I met vary in ages and are in waaaay better shape than me! What a blessing! Dedication pays off! Inspiration city! If any of you are reading this blog entry I want to thank you for the inspiration and I am so happy to have met you!

Amazing!

I never thought of myself as a runner....but let me tell you...I am on my way. My crazy butt even wants to participate in a Mud Run...go figure!

Below are pics from the second meet up at Mount Rubidoux in Riverside, Ca. This hike...man...was a little over 3 miles I believe. You can enter 2 different ways. One way, takes you longer, but the trail is not as steep....................the other entrance, is a shorter distance (to the top), but ALOT STEEPER!

I loved the challenge so much, me and some ladies did this 3 days in a row...wow! It was amazing...

Anyhow, below are some pics that have so much meaning I cannot even begin to explain...its just one of those, "had to be there" moments!

WE CAN DO IT TOO!

Black Girls Run!!!! IE (Inland Empire) Chapter Day 1- This pic was taken atthe very top of the mountain....the view was AMAZING!!! Oooh my GOD IS GOOD!!!

 Where we started at the bottom....

Another pose at the top...

 We were directed to take a "we mean business!!!" pose!

 Tell me that is not beautiful!?

 Who's that girl!?...Had my tunes goin! I was enjoying the moment, even though I was out of breath most the time!

 THE CROSS! I swear I almost had a moment when I touched this cross...At that very moment, I felt SO THANKFUL! Thankful to be alive and be able to walk up that mountain, thankful to breath the fresh air, thankful to see the view!!

 One of my friends from high school Tammi joined the group after she saw my posts about it on Facebook...aint seen her since we graduated in 1996! Reunion!

 My Aunt Gina also joined us seeing my posts online on Facebook! LOVE THE POWER OF NETWORKING! Im not even sure when was the last time I saw my Aunt....I know sad...XOXO!

 My sista from anotha mista!!! YOU DID IT BOO! "Red Box Lady!" (insider in the scrap world)Whoop! Whoop! My girl was feelin herself!! With every right!

 My workout group! Team GET IT TOGETHER!!!! Alondra, Maronda, and myself!

 I did it! I was NUTS to get up there like that...I guess I was feelin myself a little too and very much inspired and feelin literally on top of the world!

 Another group photo, also with my friend Rocky, another high school girlfriend!

Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed sharing!

Black Girls RUN!

The Past & The Present

My girl is growing so fast I can't believe it! I guess if I want another I need to get started soon! Well all in time...its all up to the man above!

I am ever so grateful for this huge blessing in my life. To watch her grow is simply amazing. From the time she was a baby who was hours old to now the little diva who is moving on to Kindergarten! You go princess!

You are the reason I have the drive that I have. I put you first everyday. I have had to make some huge decisions in life and make some heavy sacrafices! You are 110% worth it!

I love you baby girl!

Hours after she was born..

Chillin in her boppy...love this photo!

Blessed to have a happy baby!

Her Pre-K pics!

My Diva!

Go girl!!!

I am so behind on my posting yall! I have done a little bit of scrapbooking between National Scrapbook Day, Retreats and last Friday I was able to get the layouts completed below.

Enjoy looking!!

I have so much other stuff to share, but will update afterwards!

Thanks for looking!
Tricia

Here is a funny for you....enjoy!  

T. D. Jakes was returning to Texas after a speaking engagement. When his plane arrived, there was a limousine there to transport him to His home in Dallas . As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and Spoke to the driver. 'You know' he said, 'I am almost 50 years old and I have never driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?' The driver said, 'No problem, Bishop T. D. Jakes gets into the driver's seat and they head off down The highway.  A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating His first speed trap. The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo and got out of his patrol car to begin the procedure. The young trooper walked up to the driver's door and when the glass was rolled down he was surprised to see who was driving. He immediately excused himself and went back to his car and called his supervisor. He told the supervisor, 'I know we are supposed to enforce the law but I also know that important people are sometimes given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person.' 'The supervisor asked, 'Is it the governor?' The young trooper said, 'No, he's more important than that.' The supervisor said, 'Oh, so it's the president.' The young trooper said, 'No, he's even more important than that.' The supervisor finally asked, 'Well then, who is it?' The young trooper said, I think it's Jesus because he's got T. D. Jakes for a chauffeur!!!!! PASS IT ON....BECAUSE LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!!!!!!

Stronger

The director of Bre's school told me to listen to this song...she was sure that I could properly apply it to life right about now...the words fit properly into place...

You know the bed feels warmer,
Sleeping here alone,
You know I dream in color,
And do the things I want.
You think you got the best of me
Think you had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone.
Think you left me broken down
Think that i'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone.
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean i'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me myself and i
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger,
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean i'm lonely when i'm alone
You heard that I was starting over with someone new,
They told you I was moving on, over you,
You didn't think that I'd come back, i'd come back swinging
You try to break me but you see

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
[- From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/k/kelly-clarkson-lyrics/stronger-lyrics.html -]
stand a little taller
doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone.
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause your gone.
what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking 'bout me
You know in the end the day I left was just my beginning..... in the end...
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, Myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone.
I'm not alone

{Layouts & ZUMBA!!!}

Got together with my sista from another mista and did some scrappin in her transforming woman cave! Cant wait to scrap in your space again!
Anyhow, we both got a few things done here are a few...
(Most of these pics are 6x8 photos)...a few finally from my October's Girls Getaway Cruise which was fantabulous!
Caption states: "Whew! I know we don't appear AFRAID but umm....YES WE WERE! We had a wild hair stuck up our you know what and decided to pay money to take a picture with this WILD animal! There was also a lion that we posed with. It took a great ordeal for this tiger to stop growling! But we put our BIG GIRL PANTIES on and did it! We felt on top of the world! LOL! Super funny!"....
Yeah don't ask what we were thinking...the crazy part is we WAITED while the WILD ANIMAL CALMED DOWN!!! I know...stop shaking your head now...lol!

Me, Alondra and Azeb taking one of the many photo opps there on the ship, this was the captains cocktail night / dinner.

Posing for the picture before boarding!! We were super hyped!

On another note.........................ZUMBA for the Wii is the bomb!! If you are looking for a high intensity workout and can't make it to the gym...try Zumba!! I honestly feel like I was at the gym taking the class. All the teachers on the game appeared so real! I was shakin it hard too! I am incoporating this in my 30 day challenge!

I have a trip to Hawaii I am needing to prepare for!

If you are looking for a pure cardio and fun work out, try Zumba and the Black Eye Peas Experience. The Black Eye Peas experience is alot like the Micheal Jackson Experience, same concept...however the intensity is higher on the BEP Experience. Try them both if you can! These games I have played on my Wii...they may be on other game systems!

Good luck!