50 Rules for Dads of Daughters (Repost)

Hey Y'all,

A Facebook friend shared this list from Life To Her Years and I had to share half the list with you. It's heart warming and thought provoking.

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of

affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn't happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she adds years to her life… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait until her wedding day.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

Be sure to read the rest of the list here

Until next time...
MUAH!

National Poetry Month 2013

Hey Y'all,

April is National Poetry Month.
I considered myself a poet once upon a time. That is until I was introduced to the world of Poets in Brooklyn NY. There was a poetry revelation going on within the African American community, these kids were 'crunchy granola's. The first Black people I've ever meet that were vegetarians and politically radical. I was introduced to this new world through my then boyfriend, now husband who  is a drummer. In those days we were students at Purchase College. I was a Lit major and he was a Jazz major. He was always on the look out for gigs, it didn't matter what it was as long as he could play his drums he was a happy man. During this unknown revolution he was provided the opportunity to tour in Europe with a group named the Vibe Khameleons which featured the raw talent of anti pop musicians and poets. It was through him that I was truly introduced to poetry. Not just to poetry you read in school but true black poets. I learned about  Sonya Sanchez and Nikki Giovanni, listened to The Last Poets and visited the famed  Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

This April I will feature some of the great poems and poets from this revolution  I hope you enjoy it.

Dreams
by Langston Hughes
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16075#sthash.Qhgp3eIV.dpuf

Happy Valentines Day

I have had the same Valentine for the past 21 years! The above song was written by him about us!
I have loved this man for over half my life and will continue to Live, Overjoyed & Victorious Everyday with him.

Happy Valentine's Day Baby

Until next time...
MUAH!

16 Years, 16 Lessons Learned!

Today I wish my beloved husband a very happy 16th wedding anniversary. Over the past 16 years I've learned some rather useful lessons. Of course I won't share them all but here are 16 for every year of wedded bliss.

BTW I borrowed 14 of these from my blog post in 2010 when I was a list driven blogger. They are still true so I figured I'd just add 2 more lessons. Hope you enjoy.

1. Never say never - I said I never wanted children and then I was bit by the baby bug and here we stand the proud parents of three
2. Over communicate - Saying you told him/her about the party two weeks ago means nothing. Put it on the family calendar, create an event on Google and FaceBook, send a text, tweet or put a post it note on the fridge listing how many days are left until the event.
3. Pick your battles - If it's not life threatening let it go. Do you want the kids clean and feed or is it more important that the bed is spread?
4. It takes 2 to tango - Intimacy isn't the responsibility of only one person. If you are in the mood get the party started!
5. Blood IS thicker than water - Although you are happily married into the family remember where you stand. Don't talk about the man's mama and expect life to be easy, sometimes it's better to agree to disagree and keep it moving then it is to argue about things you can't change when their family is involved.
6. Marriage = COMPROMISE - Doesn't matter what the topic you have to compromise on many issues within a marriage from what's for dinner to where we'll live you both have to come to a conclusion that makes everyone happy.
7. You can't always be right - "Yes Dear" is a line my brother and sister in law use often. Sometimes you have to say yes dear and move on. You will not be right all the time (I am 99.9% of the time of course!)
8. Time outs are needed - Sometimes from one another and from the kids. Remember that visiting family does not a vacation make!
9. Team work - As the Wonder Pets say; What's Gonna Work? Team Work. When you say I Do you become partners for better or worse so work together
10. Never let them see you sweat - I'm not talking about your spouse but rather your extended family and friends. Nobody should know when you and your spouse are at odds with one another! Keep your issues to yourself or seek professional counseling if you are in need of help. Hearing "well if I were you" doesn't help anyone because they AREN'T you!
11. What it took to get him/her is the same thing that will help you keep him/her - enough said!
12. No marriage is perfect
13. Don't assume
14. If you have an issue speak on it don't let it fester
15. Be friends and lovers (then you can act like friends with benefits when you role play)
    
16. Remember why you said "I Do" in the first place.

These are just a few of the things I've learned over the past 16 years. Everyday I learn something new about my husband, I just discovered that he actually likes butter pecan ice cream! In the 21 years that we've been together I have NEVER seen him eat it. I am allergic to all tree nuts so for me he put his like of butter pecan ice cream to the side and will eat the ice cream I like. Small I know but still something new I learned!.

If you are married I pray your relationship is lead by God and that you communicate your likes, dislikes, wants and needs to your spouse. Marriage is work but it's well worth the effort you are putting in.

If you aren't married please seek God for your mate and remember that you have to be open and honest with yourself about what you want.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Wordless Wednesday: My Boyfriend

Found out today is National Boyfriend day (no idea who came up with that one) Here is a picture of my boyfriend (now husband) from the early 1990's.

Working Women: The T-Cup Cafe

Hey Y'all,

Today I would like to spotlight The T-Cup Cafe. 

I spoke with Tanya Brown one of he owners and here is what she shared.

What is the name and focus of your business?

The T-Cup Cafe is a coffee shop that was established in September 2008, by my husband Reginald and me. We grind our coffee and bake our own cakes and cookies; our pastries and bread are delivered fresh every morning. The T-Cup also proudly serves delicious Belgian Waffles with toppings, Omelets, Jumbo Breakfast Sandwiches, Turkey Burgers, Salmon Burgers, espresso, teas and real fruit juice smoothies

 

Prior to starting your business what was your 9-5?
I was an accountant at Siemens Corporation in New Jersey.

What made you venture out and become an entrepreneur?

The T-Cup Café is located in the beautiful and historical Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn New York. We believed the businesses and residents in the community deserve the opportunity to have a place that serves healthy food choices and fresh food in a comfortable and friendly cafe environment. We offer the community the opportunity to dine-in or take-out. That was our main reason for wanting to open the T-Cup Cafe.

What's new at The T-Cup Cafe?

On May 5^th we had the honor and pleasure of hosting one of Jane's Walk NYC, sponsored by MASNYC. The purpose of the tour was to expose my favorite places in the development of Bedstuy. To name a few of the places we explored- Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast, House of Arts Gallery, Lady of Victorian Cathedral, Sarraginas Italian restaurant & Garden and the newly renovated Lewis Ave library. This was a great way to bring exposure to the Café and to Bedstuy.

During  the summer we host live music right outside of the Café which gives the neighborhood exposure to the arts. This summer we will feature poetry by RL The Gifted One and live Jazz from Stix Bones & The Bone Squad. Please check out our websites events page for updates.


The T-Cup Cafe is located at 627 Throop Ave Brooklyn, NY 11216 they cater to commuters and are open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm


Until next time...
MUAH!

Stay at Home Dad's ROCK!!!!

Hey Y'all:

I write a blog for my hubby's music site where I created a 'series' that didn't really take off. Well not yet any way,in the spirit of Father's Day I thought I would share it with you.

My husband is a musician, business owner and “SAHD” What’s a SAHD, MrsDeveter you might ask? We’ll folks it’s a Stay at Home Dad!

Before we became parents I noticed that my talented husband who worked hard for his BA of Fine Arts in Jazz from Purchase College was miserable and seriously unhappy in corporate America, so I told him to quit his job and focus on his music. Two albums, countless tours and now three children later my husband is happy, content and producing more music then ever as a SAHD.