Watching the Oscars [...]]]> At 51,839 words. Feel like this book has turned into a donkey that I keep beating, trying to get it to submit to my will. But just like a donkey, my novel just sits there, looking at me with vacant eyes as if saying, “Is this all you’ve got?”

Watching the Oscars Sunday night, I was captured by Oscar-nominated star, Gabourey Sidibe. Not for her dress, or for her hair, (I know—shocking right?) but for her courage.

This girl didn’t have half the acting experience as some of her peers. (Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, and George Clooney just to name a few.)

She wasn’t in the business that long when she got discovered, in fact she wasn’t in the business at all.

But the one thing she has that no one can deny, is a god-given talent to act. She belongs on the screen.

I think it takes courage to sit in a room full of people that you used to watch on television—people you might have looked up to—and find yourself not only talking to them, but actually being nominated for an award with them. They are no longer your role models, but your peers.

When I switched gears from being a hairstylist to a writer, I questioned whether or not I belonged. What gave me the right to say that I could write a novel, something I’ve never attempted to do in my life? It took courage to stand in front of people, to watch their face twist in a smirk of doubt as if to say, “Writer? But you’re a hairstylist!”

Wrong. I was a hairstylist. Now, I’m a writer.

Gabourey Sidibe was a student. Now, every time her name is said, people will preface it with, “Academy-Award nominated.” She is an actress.

It takes courage to put yourself out there, to believe in yourself when you have no track record to speak for you. But looking at Gabourey’s face tear up as Oprah talked to her about her role in Precious, it was clear that she belonged.

And I do too.

How funny is it that the girl who wrote Six O’clock, the girl who was told that the she could hoola-hoop through a Cheerio, the girl who was told that she would have [...]]]> At 47,819 on my WIP. Haven’t written much in the past week, will try to stick to my schedule.

How funny is it that the girl who wrote Six O’clock, the girl who was told that the she could hoola-hoop through a Cheerio, the girl who was told that she would have to marry a white man because she lacked curves, (truly an ignorant statement made by an immature high school boy. Well ha, I married a black man! Well…half-black. Does that still count?), who knew that I would one day join Weight Watchers?

The irony here is overwhelming. I try not to mention to anyone that I’m on Weight Watchers. When it does slip out, (thanks Mama), everyone’s eyes bugs out of their heads and they say, “What are you trying to lose? Your mind?”

I’ve never really lost the weight that I gained after having my daughter. And as she gets older, I can’t keep blaming her for the tire around my stomach. This isn’t baby weight that I have—this is Mommy weight!

I’m doing the plan online, I don’t think I could take going to the meetings. Counting points fits my Type A personality, and besides wanting to gnaw off my arm at night because of the hunger—I’m doing well.

Anybody else out there tried Weight Watchers? How did the plan work for you?

I used [...]]]> Doesn’t Monique just glow in this picture? Her speech for her Golden Globe win set the tone for the evening, and showed everyone that there are many sides to her. (My favorite part? When she said, "I’m shaking when I tell y’all I’m in the midst of my dream. Just beautiful!)

I used to question being funny. I felt that being funny in my writing wasn’t enough. But I’ve learned that being funny is not only natural for me, it is a gift. I gift I plan on using wisely.

I say all that to say—we all know Monique is funny. That’s how she started out. But who knew she would be a trailblazer, (The first African-American woman to host her own late-night talk show. Take that Jay Leno!), and had the courage and guts to play this role so well?

I didn’t. But she showed people wrong, and continues everyday to show people that she is more than just a joke-teller. This woman has many sides.

Thank you Monique and Congrats on your success!

But I find as I’m getting older, that I’ve been eating an entire meal and snacking. So of course, I’ve gained weight. Nothing terrible, I’m still skinny enough that when I mention [...]]]> I’ve always enjoyed eating snacks rather than sitting down to eat an entire meal. Nothing heavy—popcorn, nuts, granola bars, the occasional chip.

But I find as I’m getting older, that I’ve been eating an entire meal and snacking. So of course, I’ve gained weight. Nothing terrible, I’m still skinny enough that when I mention that I need to lose weight people remark, “Lose what? Your mind?”

But I know I need to lose a couple of pounds.

And I’m simply going to walk it off.

Walking helped me lose (most) of my pregnancy weight and it’s something I enjoy, especially when I get to go outside. (I have a few walking DVD’s that sustain me during bad weather.)

I refuse to set myself up for failure by saying that I won’t eat this, or I won’t touch that. Food-wise, I plan to:

1. Drink more water.

2. Have a fruit and a vegetable with every meal.

3. Eat more whole-grains.

4. Take my vitamins. (Everyday, not just when I feel like it.)

That, coupled with walking is all I’m going to do. (Don’t get me wrong, I plan to lift some weights here and there. Got to keep those arms toned. Thanks a lot, Michelle Obama.)

I still plan on indulging myself with a sweet treat now and then, but I think if I include more of the good stuff, I won’t feel so bad about eating the bad stuff.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Half-shaved heads. Who in their right mind would ever think this is pretty?

Shredded or torn leggings. Remember the good ‘ole days when we threw out our stockings if they had [...]]]> By that, I mean trends. Some of the trends that I hope die and do not live in 2010 is:

Half-shaved heads. Who in their right mind would ever think this is pretty?

Shredded or torn leggings. Remember the good ‘ole days when we threw out our stockings if they had a hole or tear in them? Call me old-fashioned but this look is just plain tacky.

And last but certainly not least, I hope this trend is buried soon, the return of split-ends. (Okay, okay, I know this isn’t technically a trend. Women everywhere know that they are supposed to get their ends trimmed regularly. But every time I leave the house I see women walking around with ratty, thin, damaged ends. It’s disturbing.)

Ladies, why do you hold on to your hair? Please let go, and let grow. Cut those raggedy ends and start flaunting healthy, healed hair. Trims are something most of us can still afford in this economy, and if you still don’t think you can afford it, go to a beauty school. The cost is next to nothing. (Yes, this is risky. A student is practicing on your hair. Make sure the teacher stays in the room and speak up if you see more hair on the floor then on your head).

Those are just my thoughts. Chime in and let me know what trends you are hoping died in 2009.

Isn’t it wonderful? I know it doesn’t look like much to you guys, but down here it was a sight to see. I would love for more of our [...]]]> I know I promised to post pictures Saturday, but things got busy over here. So this is what snow in Houston looks like:

Isn’t it wonderful? I know it doesn’t look like much to you guys, but down here it was a sight to see. I would love for more of our winters to look like this.

The only bad thing about the snow is that it killed my beautiful begonias in my front yard. But other than that, the snow was worth it. It created wonderful memories for my daughter and I, and now she knows what I’m talking about when I say the word snow. I guess we got a small glimpse of what the weather is like for people up north.

Anybody encountered any weather miracles in your area? Please share!

I know some of you are wondering, “What’s the big deal? It’s just snow.”

I live in Houston people. Land of the [...]]]> I feel like a schoolgirl. It’s snowing in Houston! And I mean real snow, not the kind that melts when it hits the ground. You can actually see snow on the ground.

I know some of you are wondering, “What’s the big deal? It’s just snow.”

I live in Houston people. Land of the dinosaur mosquito and squelching hot sun. Land of shorts and tank tops in December. Land of the popsicle in January. Houston doesn’t have four seasons. We have two seasons—hot, and not so hot.

So seeing snow on the ground is nothing short of a miracle. My neighborhood is full of grown people outside like kids taking pictures and running around in the snow. I’m hoping to make snowballs in the evening and having a snowball fight. Can you imagine? 

I’ve been taking pictures of it, and I’ll post them tomorrow. Who knows I might even post a video with my technological self.

To create a more balanced life.

So I’m giving up one of my bad habits.

The TV.

Not completely. (Are you crazy? And miss an episode of Survivor? No way, Jose.)

But I am toning things down a bit. I don’t have the time to lay out [...]]]> It’s time to change things up.

To create a more balanced life.

So I’m giving up one of my bad habits.

The TV.

Not completely. (Are you crazy? And miss an episode of Survivor? No way, Jose.)

But I am toning things down a bit. I don’t have the time to lay out and watch hours of TV anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I wish I did, and I look back fondly on the days of my youth when I could spend several hours watching television. But now as I examine my life, I have to do some cutting back on things that I consider a time waster. And that, my friends, is what led me to cancel several shows.

A perfect evening for me used to look like this: Me on the couch, going through the recorded shows on my TiVo and making my own marathon as I stayed up late catching up on a week’s worth of shows.

Now my evenings look more like this: Husband and I talk about each other’s day over dinner, no TV blaring in the background. After eating, he cleans up while I read to my daughter. Then we get her off to bed and we both do work on our computers for an hour then go to bed. Together. It feels good.

I think this process is made easier by the fact that I don’t work in a salon anymore. It’s hard to not get caught up in the Housewives of Atlanta drama when your clients are chattering away about their latest catfight. Working from home, there is little pressure to watch TV. No one is telling me what I’m missing out on. For once, there is only quiet. (Mind you, my three year old daughter is dancing and singing at the top of her lungs in the living room, but I’ve learned to tune her out.)

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but life feels better now that it doesn’t revolve around the TV. Who knew?