This is all apart of the journey...Live in the moment

The past few days have been really fun and kinda sad too. My mom has come and gone. We had a blast and her visit has me really longing to be closer to some sort of family support. Yes, we are very blessed that we have several people that we consider family here but there is nothing like living close to those we love and care for. My hubby and I have spent countless hours in the past considering a move. We have already lived on the East Coast near my folks and that was truly trying. The east coast is so EXPENSIVE and the people are um, let's just say that the East Coast and I just don't agree. I was raised in the big city and I really do not care to raise my kids back east. So what about my hubby's family, they live in LA and out bank account is not big enough to live anywhere in Cali. So, what about other relatives. Well, we have folks in ATL, TX and TN. We have considered all of those areas. My favorite is ATL. I just adore HOTLANTA!!! I have strongly thought about TX b/c my sister-in law is a big time Aggie professor.

So why am I saying all of this, um, I am not really sure. I am just longing to be closer to family.
We shall see, I am back on the JOB market and open to relocating. Perhaps, we will find home.
I know that this is kinda the dull part of my journey thus far. I am really trying to live in the moment and not worry so much about the future.

Anywho, now that I have bored you half to death, I am headed to help my kids with their homework.

Live in the moment....

Our perfect 10!!!

As promised, I have enclosed pictures from Nalah-B's first USA Gymnastics sanctioned meet last Friday. Some of the pictures area a little fuzzy but I thought I would include them anyway. The day was a true adventure for the entire family considering we traveled to Louisville, KY while the Blizzard of '08 hit the KY and Ohio area.
Nalah competed on all events as a level 3 gymnast. Her team placed 3rd and she had a blast. Her results are listed below:

Vault: 8.2
Beam: 7.9
Floor: 7.85
Bars: 6.7

We are very proud of her considering she has only trained as a level 3 since January. Her season is over but she will continue to
train for next year's season. 2016 Olympics here she comes!!!!

Enjoy!

We are the jolly Snow Brigade, With our trusty shovels we make a raid.

Just a quick post for now b/c I have become the hot chocolate lady for the time being.
Our snow tally is somewhere between 12-14 inches of snow. We have another small round coming tonight. Daylights savings time is tonight so I know that spring is coming soon!!!

Nalah's stats are coming too.

Oh, that's my hubby digging us out. It was so cool, all the folks in the neighborhood came out this afternoon for fun in the snow, shoveling, and snow blowing. These are the times that make my heart warm and fuzzy.

I wanna take a minute or two, and give much respect due To the man that's made a difference in my world What a man, what a man, what a man...

I must take my hat off to my hubby,Chaka for getting us to Nalah-B's meet safely and back home again in what REALLY is the BIGGEST storm that we have seen since we first moved here in '04.
The meet was in Louisville, KY, usually less than a 2 hours drive but this morning it took us 3.5 hours to get there. We woke us to the quiet before the storm. By 8:30 AM visibility was getting worse but we made the decision to get in the car with plenty of food, blankets and water to take my baby to her first USA Gymnastics sanctioned event. Check in time was 1:30 pm and we made it to the meet by 1pm. Yeah it took us a while but it was so worth is. Nalah-B did well. I will share her stats with you tomorrow since we will be snowed in for sure.

Well, I am off to rest my tired legs.

I got da berry blues

Just a quick post. It is crazy busy over here. I am preparing for the big Jack and Jill event this weekend. This is the big even where Harmony Cupcakes beat out several other local bakeries including the Sheraton in Sharonville where the event is being held. All of my specialty ingredients are here but I still have a trip to Sam's Club or GFS for sugar and butter. I am excited but nervous about this event. The planning committee was really hard to please and I do not want to disappoint. They put great emphasis on elegance and I just want the customer to be satisfied. I ordered a cupcake tree that holds 300 cupcakes, and I am spending the next 2 days decorating it. Keep me in your thoughts. I will be sure to take pictures for you.

My mommy is also coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She has not been out to visit since May, which is the longest we have gone without seeing one another.

Anywho, I gotta get Nalah-B off to gymnastics practice.

More to come soon.

Oh, I almost forgot......the cupcake pictures are from last week's pretty in pink strawberry and I got da blues order. They were a huge hit at 53rd Bank!

Gimme some sunshine.......PLEASE!

I never really knew how weather can effect a person until recently. The past 2 months have been brutal in OH. It has been cold with lots of snow and freezing rain and very little sunshine. I have always loved winter but I am so ready for spring. This is the first time in my life that I have honestly longed to live in a warmer place. My hubby keeps telling me that the weather has not been so bad and I keep saying, where have you been living over the past month or so????

The last 2 months have been really depressing. Perhaps it's b/c I have deferred my dream and decided to go back to corporate America. Don't get me wrong, I love developing new products, working with customers and working with food. I just don't play the political game well. I believe in being ethical and rewarding hard workers who play fairly. We all know that corporate does not work this way. So why am I going to go back you ask?? It is a necessary evil. Could we make it on Chaka's salary alone, ummm, probably. But we would not be able to continue to get ahead and save for Harmony. So, in order to achieve my dream, I have to take this path get to Harmony. I also believe that the kids need to be a bit older before I start this business so they don't suffer as much.

So what is up for today. Cleaning and laundry. I have been a bit of a bum when it comes to house work this week. I have had too many other things to do.
Well, I am going to sign off......

Silence is Golden

Well, Fans of Harmony, I have been a little silent for the last few days. I have been swamped with LIFE stuff. From interviewing and baking, to preparing for my big event next weekend, I have not had ANY computer time. Each week is becoming more an more packed. Z-man is also VERY mobile so I can not sit at the computer while he plays with his toys any more. We gates off the family room. At first he was so excited to be inside his own space but now he has figured out that we have pretty much caged him in the family room. As soon as I open the door to the gate he speed crawls to make a quick escape. If he makes it out he is elated but when I close the gate before he makes it out, he begins banging and shaking the gate while babbling at me. He is very persistent........



Here is a little Harmony news:

I ordered the cutest chocolate fans to top my chocolate cupcakes for the big event that I am doing. They are very nice. You can find them at http://www.pastrychef.com/ under ingredients. They are a little pricey put my client insisted that we use them. Hey, if they are will to pay then I will do as they say. I have also not been able to find medium blue foil cupcake wrapper in the US. I found a supplier in Australia but the liners would not make it here in time for next Saturday. I did find some really nice navy and white cupcake liners that will go great with the sliver liners that I have to use.



My 2 interviews are done and over with. I guess you can say that I am one of those people that loves to interview. I don't get nervous, I just have a good time. I know it is a bit odd but where else is it ok to talk about yourself for hours. We will see what happens. I will know something by early next week on both.

Well, I better get to getting.