ReInvented Chick

Back on the Scene

2010-04-16T20:43:00.002-04:00

It has been 4 months since I last felt the desire to blog. There was so much going on in my life....I felt obligated to post daily...and I just needed a break. Whew!

Well, needless to say I am here again. The concept of this blog is dear to me because I feel like "ReInvented Chick" so easily sums up who I am. I realize now that I do want to blog and will continue to do so if and when I please...no pressure.

To give an update on what I have been up to since December 2009...first I went to South Carolina for 10 days during Christmas to visit family. I had a wonderful time and felt refreshed but was more than ready to come home.

Kicking off 2010..it has been a great year so far. I am happy and my child is happy...it doesn't get any better than that. One thing I had noticed about myself was that I was sleeping so good at night. The weird thing was that nothing had changed...not my mattress, sheets, location of my bed...then my dad pointed out that it was because I was truly happy. I wake up feeling refreshed and stress free and for anyone who knows what I have been through in recent years this is amazing.

Other changes were that I became active in a graduate chapter of my sorority after being MIA for about 10 years, joined a professional HR organization and began studying for a certification to advance my career, and I met a man...yes, a man ya'll.

Meeting the man was the last thing on my mind and it's been fairly recent so I don't want to say a whole lot about him just yet, but after 2 1/2 years of living the single life this is exciting.

This post is longer than I intended but I wish happiness and peace to anyone who happens to come across this blog.

Be Blessed,

ReInvented Chick

A Thankful Heart

2009-12-08T19:08:00.009-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I ran across a devotional from Joyce Meyer that really resonated with me and I thought I would share. I have been guilty of constantly wanting new things. It's not that I'm not thankful for what I have, it's just that I always want more or to upgrade what I have. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful and recognize that I am extremely blessed to be able to take care of myself and my daughter comfortably and with no stress...because it was not always like that. I just get anxious about the material things that I want in life. At any rate, this devotional was refreshing and a reality check and I thought someone might need the same:

A Thankful Heart

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
— Philippians 4:6

Years ago I taught a message saying that when you ask God for something, you should thank Him ahead of time that you are going to get it because that will help release your manifestation. I believe that. I took the scripture above to mean just that, that when I prayed for something, I should start thanking God that it was on its way. But one day God revealed a broader scope of that verse to me. He said, "No, what I am really saying there is that when you pray and petition Me for anything, make sure you are doing it from a foundation of a thankful heart." Then He went on to say, "If you are not thankful for what you already have, why should I give you more to complain about?"

~ Joyce Meyer

New Mom Isolation

2009-12-07T21:30:00.005-05:00

One of my friends just had a baby about 3 weeks ago. He's a beautiful baby boy and I am so happy for her because she and her husband have wanted this for a while.

About a week after the baby was born, I stopped by her house to visit. I love babies and had been anxious to get over there but with all of the germs and illnesses going around, I decided to wait until I could go without my two-year old...daycare germs are a $?!#.

Once I got to her house it was just as I expected. She was happy but exhausted...in sweats and still trying to get used to the rigors of new motherhood. We had a great visit and I took care of the baby most of the time that I was there so that she could eat and just get a break...whatever that might be.

I hadn't spoken to her again until today. I could hear the same exhaustion in her voice and it got me thinking back to when I was a new mother...

After I had my daughter I was completely in love. Like I had heard so many times before, it was a love deeper than anything that I had experienced before, truly unconditional, and I saw the world in a different way. Seriously. That was the good part.

The other part of it was that in some aspects I didn't feel like my old self. Because my priorities changed and I saw things differently, I struggled to understand and get comfortable with the "new" me. At times I felt very isolated from my friends because while they were out doing things that I used to do, I was at home with my baby changing diapers, nursing, and rocking her to sleep. I realized that while everybody was happy for me and would occasionally stop by to visit, they continued on with their same child-free, carefree lives. It was business as usual for everyone but me.

I can't tell you how many times I though about dropping those friends for new mothers or single mothers who could relate to my situation. I was very lonely and at times depressed. In some ways I feel like this was my form of post-partum depression. It wasn't at all about the baby, it was about me.

And I'm sure that all of the drama that I was going through with her father didn't help the situation...

Back to my friend, I wish her the best. I made sure to let her know that if she needs any help with the baby that I'm here. Hopefully I can be that source of support for her that I needed during this time.

Be Blessed!

Back to the Weekly Grind

2009-12-06T22:01:00.003-05:00

So this past weekend was a good one. Fun and relaxing.

Friday night I got together with the family for my mother's annual "tree-trimming" party. It's where we get together to put up her Christmas tree and all of her other random decorations. There's always food, alcohol, and music, and she uses this time to pull out old pictures from our childhood...report cards, hand-made gifts, first pair of shoes...you get the picture. We had so much fun and it really got me in the Christmas spirit.

At the party we had the one of the R&B channels playing and everything that played brought back memories...SWV, Xscape, Montell Jordan...all music from my teenage years. Needless to say, the tree is beautiful even though we had to convince my mother to lay off some of the ornaments. She has collected them over my lifetime and the tree was so full we thought it might literally tip over. It left me feeling like I needed to invest a little more time in my own tree.

On Saturday, I shopped. I dragged my brother to one store in particular because their ad advertised a doorbuster deal that was over at 1PM. Well, we get there and of course the deal is too good to be true and ended up being a lot smaller than how it appeared in the ad. I finished shopping, went home to nap, and spent the rest of the evening with my family.

Today was more family time, then I had to get home to do my usual Sunday routine of getting ready for the work week...washing my hair, my daughter's hair, laundry, groceries, getting clothes ready for the week, etc. I'm sure that I could and probably should do some of this on Saturday to get it out of the way because every Sunday night feels like I am on a mission to get all of these things done and get to bed at a decent time. At least I got a couple of gifts for Camryn wrapped. I can't wait to see her face on Christmas day!

Wishing all a happy work week!

Tis the Season to Shop

2009-12-02T21:03:00.005-05:00

Oh, the joy of a fierce boot! I love these and would love to own them but my feet say otherwise. Shamefully, the older I get the harder it is to pull off a shoe like this one...so I will pass.

Lately, my money has been burning a hole in my pocket. Every since the week of Black Friday I have been checking the sales ads and searching the Internet for the best deals...for the most part I have just been window shopping.

Window shopping because I am trying to reduce my spending. I have cut back on eating out and only plan to spend on Christmas gifts for myself, Camryn, and the the rest of the fam.

Well, today I was surfing the Internet to find a new pair of boots and ended up buying a pair from Overstock.com (Not the boot shown here). I initially found them on Zappos.com and then googled the shoe to see what other sites carried them. To my surprise, they came up on Overstock's website for about $30 cheaper. I never even knew that they really carried boots like that and once I saw the deal I could not pass it up.

Next on my priority list is to finish up shopping for Camryn and the hard part, find new jeans for myself...I'll be posting more about my search for the perfect pair of jeans later.

Be Blessed!

It's Almost 2010!

2009-12-01T22:05:00.003-05:00

I cannot believe this year has gone by so quickly. It has been a good year with a lot of things to be thankful for. Let's see, I freed myself of car loan debt, landed a new job, turned 3-0, and celebrated two years of motherhood.

On a quieter note, I shed 10 pounds that I had been trying to lose since I had my daughter.

So to end the year on a high note, I have a couple of goals that I plan to meet by December 31. To reach them would put the icing on the cake for 2009.

1. Pay off the last $150 or so of my credit card. I will then officially be credit card/consumer debt free.

2. Lose 8 pounds. This would be absolutely outstanding and put me back within range of what I weighed before becoming pregnant. Notice I said "within range" LOL.

3. Add 5% to my emergency fund. By the end of 2010, I plan to have fully funded this account.

I have been thinking about these goals all day and think I like having short term goals to focus on. Normally I only set annual goals at the beginning of each year...but my attention span is so short that I sometimes forget what it is that I am working toward. I think in 2010, I will begin setting shorter monthly goals to help me stay focused.

Overall, this year has been about becoming my best me. I've come so far but I know that there are still areas that I need to foster and grow.

Let's get it!

How Many Kids Should You Have?

2009-11-30T21:52:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, there was an interesting post on MSN about having children. See article here.

It made me think about my own desires when it comes to having children. Honestly, I have always felt like I wanted more children than I was willing or able to have. That was before baby.

Now that I have a child, I think more about the financial impact and time sacrifices that you must make to raise a child. Daycare - $600 per month, Time - Never ending. And while these sacrifices are well worth it, the freedom of child-free adults is never lost on me.

I always find myself torn between having a big family with lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren when I get older or just being content with my one super sweet baby girl. I love the relationship that I have with her and the fact that I have had the time and energy to enjoy so many moments in her development...but on the flip side I think about her growing up with no siblings. To me, when you have a sibling, you are never alone and always have a best friend in the world no matter what. I know that all sibling relationships are not like this but my family has always been pretty close and I would expect the same for her.

One thing is for sure though, I will not ever, never, ever consider having another baby unless I meet Mr. Right and get married. One baby daddy is more than enough and if love doesn't come my way before the 'ole biological clock ticks it's last tick, then more children just won't be an option for me.

That's the thing about my life. There are so many choices to be made and yet so many things that you cannot predict or happen by chance.

This Too Shall Pass

2009-11-29T16:53:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I was in "one of my moods" as my mother would say. I was agitated and grumpy all day and my daughter was driving me crazy. She was just being her normal wild, silly self but yesterday I kept having to exhale and pray to God for patience to deal with her.

I feel this way from time to time and it's usually for no reason in particular. I start thinking about all the things that I want... repeat...I want in life that I do not currently have, everything in my life that is not ideal, what I thought I would/would not be doing at this age...you get the picture. Now I fully realize that it is nothing but the devil creeping into my thoughts and that the feeling passes quickly, but it is still hell getting through the day.

Well, needless to say I am over it and today was much better. I am back to my usual care-free happy go lucky self. I having been doing chores throughout the day and even managed to put up my Christmas tree. Today was the first year that Camryn was able to help and she really enjoyed hanging ornaments on the tree. It was so cute to see her deciding where to hang each little ball and of course all of hers ended up in the same spot...at the bottom of the tree to the right. It's moments like this that bring me back to reality and appreciate my circumstance.

Happy workweek all!

Random Mommy Thoughts/Memories

2009-11-28T09:33:00.003-05:00

- I will never forget her always saying "He-wo" when she answered the phone. Although I am glad that her language has since developed, I secretly wouldn't mind if she continued to say this. It's so cute!

- Of all things for her to be obsessed with, did she have to choose Barney.

- I will try to refrain from hugging & kissing her for the umpteenth time today.

- Barney went off...yay!

- Will this runny nose last all winter?

- I think I will put off bath night until tomorrow.

- Pen on the couch, crayon on the wall...ugh!!

- I'm still amazed at how much I love her.

~ Enjoying every moment of Camryn!

Shout It Out Fridays!

2009-11-27T11:18:00.007-05:00

My favorite post of the week is from Single Ma's blog Fabulous Financials titled Happy Thanksgiving!! This post touched me so because I love the fact that she is a single mom success story.

Although my daughter is only 2 years old, I sometimes worry what the impact of being raised in a single parent home will be. Now I'm the first to say that I feel I do an outstanding job as a mother and Camryn seems to be one of the happiest, sweetest, most well-adjusted kids that I know. Her life is full of love and happiness...I make sure of that.

But with all of my efforts, I still wonder what the future holds. I trust in the Lord and know in my heart that he wouldn't have allowed me to be in this circumstance without the tools and ability to raise a phenomenal child. Really, I should just stop here because it's like, if you trust in the Lord then don't worry.

But deep, deep in the back of my mind I would be lying if I didn't admit that I do worry about it. It seems like you just never know how your child will cope. I have seen situations where children are raised in two-parent seemingly stable homes and they grow up to become really screwed up, unhappy adults. On the other hand, I have also seen children who came from the most unfortunate of circumstances (abuse, poverty, absent parents) and they are able to rise above adversity to become amazing adults.

Okay, I am done dwelling on my worries. For now, I will continue to do what I do and keep the faith.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T14:39:00.002-05:00

I am sitting here at work counting down the time until I get off and officially start my holiday. Most people are out of the office today and I myself have not gotten a whole lot done.

I love this time of year. It's always been my time to relax and spend time with family...Lots of food, laughter, and a little alcohol.

I'll keep it short today. Best wishes to all. And lest not forget all that we have to be thankful for.

Be Blessed!

You Never Know What's In Store

2009-11-24T18:38:00.001-05:00

As we approach the end of the year, I have been thinking back to where I was a year ago. At this time last year I was newly unemployed with absolutely no job prospects in sight. This was during the time that all you heard about on the news was how X company laid off 15,000 employees or how 600,00 jobs were lost this month. The outlook was so grim and in my case I was a single mom (still am), unemployed, and had to figure out how to manage through all of it.

For whatever reason, I knew in my heart that everything would be alright. Some of my co-workers who had managed to keep their jobs expressed concern for me, which I appreciate and of course understood, and some even asked if I had considered moving back home with my mother, which I had not.

I knew that God had already delivered me from a tough circumstance about 4 months earlier and just felt that going back down that road was not what he had in store for me. I had been in debt and struggling to pay my daughter's $600/month childcare expense. I fell into the category of making too much to qualify for daycare assistance but not enough to really afford it. At the time of my layoff, that situation was already behind me and I felt in my heart that it was time for a blessing...

And that is exactly what I got.

First, my company offered me a nice severance package and allowed me to draw unemployment at the same time. I had already withdrawn my daughter from daycare because I was now at home, so that expense had already gone away. This meant that for the first few months I had more money than what I would have had if I was working. Who would have ever thought that being unemployed could be financially beneficial LOL.

Secondly, I was at home with my daughter each and every day. Looking back I am so thankful for the time that we had together over those months.

And lastly, once I returned to work I was able to land a new job in my career field. I had always planned that once I stopped working for the HR consulting firm that I would pursue a job as a Compensation Analyst in the general industry and that is exactly where I landed.

The point of this story my friends is to never doubt the power of God and the blessings and plan that he has in store for you.

Be Blessed!

Note: this post was initially planned to be about being happy where you are, but once I started to write it just went in a totally different direction. I'll circle back to the original post at a later time.

The Past is Exactly That...The Past

2009-11-23T21:54:00.002-05:00

And there is not one day that you can change about it.

I have not written or spoken much about the emotional aftermath of my relationship with my daughter's father...I've been putting on a strong face (who am I kidding)...but I am writing about it today because it is something that crosses my mind frequently.

I do a pretty good job of not dwelling on it for the most part, but for some reason I always find my mind wandering back down that road when I am driving. Mainly it's things like: what did I see in him, why was I so crazy in love with him, why did I stay with him and put up with so much...

It's a strange dichotomy because on the one hand I am thankful to have my daughter and I know that if I had never met and dated him I wouldn't have her...but on the other hand I am like WTF was I thinking, and my mother would gladly chime in to say the same. There are so many things now - I'll call them warning signs - that I would recognize immediately, like:

When he doesn't have cable because he owes a past due bill and his cell phone is disconnected every month, I wouldn't think 'Oh he's just getting himself together'...the wiser me would back away and wait for him to actually do so before entering a relationship. We could be friends, he just couldn't be my man.
When he is sleeping on an air mattress for the first 9 months of your relationship, well...same answer as above
When he constantly calls you and wants all of your time, I wouldn't think 'He's just really into me'... the wiser me would recognize that this guy probably has control issues and can't handle not being your whole world. Oh, and lest not forget that he probably doesn't have a whole lot going on for himself.
When he dogs his ex to no end, from poor hygiene to being immature, and blames the failure of their relationship totally on her, the wiser me would know that this guy doesn't understand what it means to be accountable.
And lastly, when he doesn't trust anyone...anyone...not mother, sister, or childhood friend, the wiser me would know that there's a slim to nil chance that he will ever trust me.

These are just a few nuggets of wisdom that I have had to learn the hard way. When I first started this blog, I wanted the tone to be 'happy, happy, joy, joy' so I didn't really want to go there, but in my time away I have decided that I will write about exactly what I am feeling and/or experiencing in the moment. I have to be authentic about my current state of mind...it is what it is.
I know that I'm not the only person to feel a certain way and who knows what impact my story might have on another.

Take care all and be blessed. And remember, your past does not define you (so stop beating yourself up) nor does it dictate your future.

Back on the Scene

2009-11-22T21:40:00.002-05:00

So I am officially blogging again.

Over the past couple of months I have had a lot going on and felt that I needed to take a step back to regroup and figure out why the hell I was blogging to begin with.

So I am here, rejuvenated, and with a new sense of purpose. I feel encouraged to share more of my story in being a young, professional single mother and all of the trials and tribulations that come along with that.

Best wishes to everyone and I hope all is well.

Daycare Blues

2009-08-10T19:50:00.002-04:00

For the second time in a month both my daughter and I are sick with colds that she brought home from the daycare. Her nose has been runny for the last 3 days and my throat hurts like hell.
Frickin daycare!!!

5 Things I Heart About My Life

2009-08-06T19:12:00.005-04:00

1. That motherhood has brought a joy to my life that I never knew I was missing. Camryn really is a wonderful child.

2. That despite mishaps and lack of direction in college, I was still blessed with a great, well-paying career and one that even rivals that of some of my fellow college friends that did everything "right" the first time.

3. That I have an amazing family that loves me, is supportive, and is always good for a laugh.

4. That I can do it on my own.

5. That I'm either really naive or crazy optimistic but I really do believe that the future has great things in store for me (see my post on Success).

Life is Good!

I Just Want to Be Successful...

2009-08-05T10:19:00.001-04:00

I love this song...I could do without the reference to hoes...but I still love it.

Success is always on my mind. I'm college-educated and in a career field that pays well over time. On the flip side of that, I am also a single mother doing it completely on my own. In most cases, I ignore statistics because I know that they can be heavily manipulated, but it is always a nagging thought in the back of my mind that something like 70% of children living in single parent homes live in poverty.

True or not, it's all the motivation I need.

And everyone has their own definition of success, but for me it means advancing in my career (my goal is to become a Compensation Director), owning a home, being financially stable (the six month emergency fund, 700+ credit, and funding my daughter's college savings plan), and having the money to travel and splurge on some of the things that I want in life.

I spent all of today thinking about these things. When will I begin graduate school? MBA or JD? I have a slight interest in possibly working in employment law. What will my FICO score be in six months? Where should I keep my emergency fund money and exactly how much should it be?

Sometimes this drives me crazy. At 30, I think that I am on the right track. There is no doubt in my mind that I will achieve my goals, it's just a matter of when and how rocky the road will be.

Options & Expiration Dates

2009-08-04T23:47:00.004-04:00

At this point in my life everything, with the exception of family, is OPTIONAL.

I think about the fact that I quite possibly have another 30-40 years, if not more, of living to do. That's a long time and it's long enough to let me know that I want to do what I can to be happy over these upcoming years.

What does that mean?

First I need to end toxic friendships. I have a friend who is funny and great to hang out with, but when it comes to other things in our relationship, she really is dead weight. She asks for money and/or help in ridiculous situations and she is really not someone that I feel I can trust or who would even be there for me if I needed her...so what' s the point.

I'm currently single so I don't have any toxic relationships to worry about. But the other thing is getting past things that have happened in the past. No matter how much I try and how much I love my daughter, I still find myself wondering how I ended up in such a dead end relationship with a man who would later become a dead beat dad. Why did I not have the foresight to see this. Hindsight is 20/20 and looking back he clearly showed signs of the man that he is today. I guess I just had my rose-colored glasses on...Supertight...But my point is, at this point, why should I worry about situations that happened years ago. Ten years from now will it even matter?

I'm just going through a mode in my life where I feel like 'Out with the old and in with the new'. Everything is up for evaluation and it's a cleansing of sorts for me and ultimately what will continue to bring happiness and joy to my life.

My Fabulous Weekend

2009-08-02T23:09:00.003-04:00

For no reason in particular....

My 9 year old niece has been here visiting for the summer and I had an amazing time hanging out with her over the past couple of days. It is not often that I get to see her, let alone hang out, and it was just great to be able to put a smile on her face. We shopped, ate, went to Gattiland, and shopped some more.

On Saturday morning, we headed to Tennessee so that we could meet her grandparents, my aunt and uncle, at the half way point between Kentucky and South Carolina so that she could go back home. We met in the early afternoon, had lunch, then parted ways. Don't ask why, but I was super excited to see my aunt and uncle together....they have been divorced for nearly 25 years and I have always hoped that they'd get back together again...this trip was strictly business though...or at least as far as we knew.

After we parted ways, my cousin and I decided to go to the local outlets. We were already near the Gatlinburg area, a tourist resort in the Smoky Mountains, and the outlet mall there is fantastic. They have a little bit of everything and we really just wanted to check out what stores were there and do some quick shopping. In the usual fashion, I walked out with something for my baby and nothing for me.

Today, I grocery shopped with my mother, both of us with coupons in hand, and just spent time with her and my brother for the rest of the day. They are always good for laughs and a great time.

To top the weekend off, I spent nearly two hours on the phone catching up with my original BFF from high school. We hadn't spoken in about 6 or 7 years and it was great to pick up where we left off.

So while nothing major happened this weekend, it really was fabulous. Now it's back to the weekly grind.

The Balancing Act

2009-07-25T18:44:00.001-04:00

It's not easy balancing career and motherhood. Any mother can tell you this and single mothers can probably tell it best.

In the month that I have been back at work it has been a whirlwind. I am still working to get our routine down....clothes ironed and laid out the night before, Camryn bathed and in bed by 9, squeeze in a little quiet time for myself, and asleep at a reasonable hour, only to be back up at 6 AM.

I'm still working on this...and poor Camryn just can't get with the program. I guess after almost 9 months of sleeping in, she is just not feeling the 6:45ish wake-up time. I have to keep her morning routine as simple as possible because she is already so cranky. She's been too sleepy to walk to the car so I carry her to the car and into the daycare and once she sees the other kids she finally peps up.

On top of that, there's the illnesses you deal with when kids are in daycare. Two weeks into my new job, she woke up with a rash on her face so I had to take her to the pediatrician to make sure she did not have anything contagious before taking her to daycare. It ended up being an allergic reaction to something she came in contact with and no medication was needed.

I had to pull myself together while waiting for the appointment because in that moment all of the stress of unexpected events that happen with children came to a head. I said a prayer, "Lord help me handle my circumstance" and let it go. My child comes first and if at some point it poses an issue with my career I will cross that bridge when I get there...hence the prayer. Fortunately I was at work by 10AM.

The following week, she developed a cold and luckily my mother had a day off so she was able to stay at home with her. This week, she is still under the weather and passed the cold on to me...

Which brings me to this point -- I am so thankful for having the family support that I have....don't know what I would do without them.

Nevertheless, everything always works itself out. While stressful, I continue to put a smile on my face and keep it moving!

My Fabulous Camryn

2009-07-19T18:00:00.008-04:00

Not to toot my own horn but...beep beep!

Camryn's second birthday is coming up soon and she's already showing signs of the terrible two's. She can be impatient, sometimes throw tantrums, and picks and chooses when she wants to do what I tell her to do...

But when it's all said and done, she is an absolutely terrific child.

She's loving, sweet, and full of life. The thing that I love most about her is that she is always game to dance on cue and already has a great sense of humor.

It's funny that she is so different from how I imagined my child to be...maybe a little shy, quiet, attached to me. She is none of that....

Sometimes I just can't believe how great motherhood can be. People can tell you how wonderful it is all day long, but it's one of those things that you just have to experience for yourself. Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of days that she gets on my ABSOLUTE last nerve, but that's just a part of the deal. The amazing part is getting to see the world through her eyes...the awe and wonder that she possesses and her curiosity for everything around her. It's just a blessing to have her in my life.

I sometimes find myself wondering...what was I ever doing with my life without her?

Hot for the Madison Collection

2009-07-14T23:18:00.003-04:00

It's been on my mind for weeks now. I've browsed the selection at Macy's, Dillard's, the Coach store, and Ebay and I can't get enough.

I'm loving the Madison Satchel right now. It's eating me up and I am so anxious to buy another one...but the mature, 30-ish, responsible for a child side of me says that it's probably not the smartest thing to do in this economy.

I mean, I just started working again...and who can justify spending $398 or more on a handbag right now.

Believe me, I have tried. It's for my 30th birthday, all of my hard work, a treat for getting a new job, even just a splurge on myself....still not feeling it.

Hopefully my sensibility will win out but damn, I want it bad...

Today Was More Than I Bargained For

2009-07-11T22:03:00.011-04:00

For the past week I had been looking forward to my daughter's first swim lessons today.

The class, Supertots, is held once a week at the YMCA and is really just a way to get the kids acquainted with the water. I know that she is only 22 months old, but she has a lot of energy and I felt like this would be a good activity for her to start with.

So a friend and I went to the class and everything was great. Camryn loved the water and had a lot of fun.

Then the trouble started.

After dropping my friend off at her apartment, I saw an old friend from work standing outside with her baby. I was never able to see her baby because she was on maternity leave when I was laid off. So I turned around and Camryn and I got out of the car to see them. About five minutes into our conversation, another former co-worker pulled up and came over with her 3 year old to talk too. -- Coincidentally, they happen to live in the same apartment complex.

Camryn and her three year old son were excited to see each other and began playing. Everything was cool until they decided to run to the fountain/pond at the entrance of the complex. In a split second, Camryn got too close and slipped in.

Now mind you all of this happened within about 30 seconds...but it felt like a lifetime to me. My former co-worker saw this happen before I did so she took off running toward the pond. I was right behind her and we both dived in. We were only about a yard away but when we got to Camryn she was in the water sideways and scared. I was going crazy and the second I got her I almost burst into tears and went into shock at the same time.

Camryn was fine and completely over it in about 5 minutes. I, on the other hand, was completely freaked out. I thanked my former co-worker a thousand times and then said my goodbyes to go home.

I am still freaked out by this. The thing that gets me is that it could have been so much worse. Accidents happen with children all of the time and it really can happen in the blink of an eye.

Thoughts of Mike Tyson's daughter have been in my head....

I plan to send my former co-worker a gift card first thing next week to say thank you again. She didn't hesitate to jump in the water to grab my child as if it were her own and that was not lost on me.

And best believe, I am saying my prayers tonight.

To end on a lighter note, here is the only picture I was able to get of her at the swim lesson....

A Passion For Fullness

2009-07-05T21:19:00.007-04:00

Yesterday I went to Church for the first time in a minute.

I woke up that morning and just felt the need to be in the House of the Lord. So my daughter and I got dressed and headed out.

They say the Lord works in mysterious ways and that day he knew that I needed to hear this message by this pastor at this church. It was about having a passion for fullness and becoming ready to live on a higher level.

The pastor spoke about knowing God for yourself and how as you get closer to God you get farther away from who you used to be, ultimately becoming a new man. He also talked about how God can lift you, change you, and make you new once you seek him.

The sermon resonated with me so deeply because it reflects what I am striving to do in this next decade of my life. It's what the idea for my blog is based on and what I think about all the time - becoming anew, learning new things, having new experiences, and becoming my best person, hence reinvented.

Of course, I boo hooed throughout the sermon as usual, but felt good.

Spiritually, at this point in my life I am learning to lean on God. You hear people say 'Let go and let God' all the time but it's easier said than done. I pray each night just before I go to sleep and so far this has helped to provide clarity and direction on my new path. I will definitely be going on a more regular basis so I'll keep you posted.

Big things I tell ya...big things at 30!

And just as an update, my roller wrap turned out beautifully and will definitely be what I'm rocking for the moment in order to keep heat away from my hair.

Mastering the Roller Wrap

2009-07-02T16:22:00.008-04:00

I used to have really thick hair.

It is still thicker than most, but my hair stylist and mother informed me that my hair is getting thinner...possibly because of my addiction to flat-ironing and maybe because I am getting older (geez, I'm only 30).

When I got my hair done last week, my stylist created the cutest roller wrap bob on my ear length hair and emphasized my need to start doing the same.

Now, I have rolled my hair before, recently actually, and it turned out okay. I should have let it dry longer and overall, I think it's just more difficult to pull it off when you have short hair.

My stylist recommended Nairobi Foam Wrap/Set lotion and I plan to try it on my own this evening. I hope it works because I really am tired of wearing a flat wrap. I have been flat ironing my hair daily since high school and in the true spirit of 'Reinvented Chick' it is time to do something different.

Ultimately, I really want to grow my hair out, somewhere between shoulder and armpit length and I know that giving up the heat will help me retain length. I'll keep you posted on this one so wish me luck on my hair journey!

Be Beautiful!

I Love It...and Her

2009-06-29T01:17:00.011-04:00

This picture was taken nearly a year ago on a random day at my mother's house...and I love it. She has taken so many pictures since then but this one is my absolute favorite and melts my heart every time I see it....it will probably have the same effect 20 years from now...my sweet baby...

Fresh to Death

2009-06-27T23:54:00.000-04:00

Every since the day I found out that I would be starting a new job, I have not stopped thinking about what I am going to wear.

They say that people pass judgment on you based on your appearance in the first six seconds of meeting you. Whether this is fair or not, it is a reality. I also just turned 30, so I feel that it is time to step it up a notch style wise.

I have already gone through my wardrobe twice to see what still worked, what no longer fit, and what needed to be sent to Goodwill. I tried on everything I own and played with different combinations of outfits and accessories...it was actually a lot of fun.

I have also made lists of what items I need to purchase soon. At this point, I think that I will add a couple of pencil skirts to my wardrobe, a new watch, a skinny belt and a few more necklaces and bracelets. One of my favorite places to shop for jewelry is New York & Company. They have cute pieces and I can always get a good deal either by coupon or sale. I was in Macy's the other day and they also had some cute pieces and I found the next fragrance I plan to rock, Beckham Signature. I love it and think it's a great scent for the warmer months.

I picked up a new Mac foundation and mascara, got my Spanx, and outside of that, I have everything I need with the exception of a new handbag that I am treating myself to for my birthday and getting a new job. The exact one that I'll purchase remains to be seen. I wanted the Coach Op Art Madison bag but I just cannot justify spending $398 on a handbag in this economy or anytime in the near future so we'll see.

Be Beautiful!

Closed Mouths Don't Get Fed

2009-06-23T16:50:00.008-04:00

Okay, I am so happy to report that I will officially be re-entering the workforce next Monday, July 6.

It was a rocky road to get there.

First, the company's idea of moving quickly ended up taking about 3 weeks. And while I know there are politics involved in hiring decisions and other candidates to consider, the waiting game was really working my nerves.

Then, once they finally made the offer, I was not completely satisfied with the salary. The benefits looked great and the bonus program is awesome but for my skills and experience I believed that I deserved more.

So after a little research, a prayer, and the courage to pick up the phone, I began negotiating my salary with the hiring manager. I know the market is tight right now and many people would be happy to even get a job offer, I really felt that it was important for me to stand up for what I felt was right...partly because I wasn't taking the position just for the sake of having a paycheck and then waiting for a better paying job to come along. And then the whole - men are paid more than women for the same job - issue kept popping into my head.

When I spoke to the hiring manager, he seemed genuinely caught off guard by the fact that I wanted to have this discussion and gently reminded me that I didn't have any other offers on the table. I laid out why I felt that my skill set warranted more money and he laid out why they settled on the salary they did. There was no tension or awkward moments, it was just business.

To make a long story short, he initially said they were not in a position to make any adjustments to my salary. He then called me back 30 minutes later and started the conversation by saying, "I typically don't like to negotiate salaries." And I'm thinking yeah, okay, and...he then offered me a signing bonus to get me to the salary that I was asking for.

Now, is this ideal?

No.

But at the end of the day everything works out and it IS a tight market right now. Fortunately, he assured me that salary increases going forward would not be an issue. And please believe that if it is, I will be hopping the next flight to a better paying job.

Given the field that I am in, HR Compensation, I know my worth...down to the pennies...depending on company size, geographic location, industry, and whatever you might throw at me. And I firmly believe in fighting for that.

Overall, I'm happy with this opportunity and look forward to starting next week. I will be working as a Compensation & Benefits Analyst which is a great career opportunity because it opens up the door to work in Comp and/or Benefits in the future.

Moral of the story: Closed mouths don't get fed! If I had never asked for what I wanted, I wouldn't have gotten anything....and even though it's not exactly what I asked for, every little bit counts, plus I have the satisfaction of having stood up for myself in this dog eat dog world...enough said!

Today I Am Officially 30...

2009-06-20T18:16:00.002-04:00

And thankful for it.

It's been a great weekend so far - dinner and clubbin' with my girlfriends on Friday night, then dinner and hanging out with the family...Perfect for me.

Looking back, I have accomplished some of the goals that were most important to me:

- graduating from college

- establishing a career

- becoming a mother

But you never want to rest on your laurels...Here are some of my goals for this next chapter in my life.

This year:

- get in shape...seriously. The older you get the harder it is so I want to tackle this issue now instead of still talking about it 5 years later.

- establish an emergency fund...just in case. I haven't always done well with saving so I really need to get serious about it. With this economy and the fact that I am responsible for another human being I need to ensure that I am prepared for the unexpected.

- look into having my tattoo removed

- prepare to return to graduate school once I am eligible for tuition reimbursement at my job

- get back on the dating scene

5 years:

- purchase a home
- get married...keeping my fingers crossed
- travel to Europe (London, Germany, France, Italy) and take a Caribbean cruise
- move into a management role in my career field

Lifetime:

- be with the love of my life
- experience Camryn grow up to be an intelligent, God fearing, generous, hardworking woman of integrity and character...I'm trying ya'll
- have grandchildren
- take annual family vacations
- be financially free

These are my goals and prayers...

What's Eating You?

2009-06-16T16:34:00.001-04:00

After talking with a close friend the other day about her struggles with weight and resulting depression, it left me pondering something. ..

Why do we use food as comfort when life gets tough? We have all had experiences of overeating and then feeling horrible afterward. If these instances are few and far between, then okay. But when it becomes frequent bouts of emotional overeating, then there's a problem.

It's a vicious cycle of eating and sadness. And it does nothing to get to the real problem of what's actually eating you.

When you have a problem with balance and control in your life, it's typically not about the food or even your hunger and appetite. The food is masking the pain of something else that you are dealing with.

And to be fair, we often also use food as a way to show love and celebrate...especially black folks. My first thoughts when I was thinking about what I wanted to do for my birthday was to celebrate with food - Sol Azteca Mexican with friends on Friday, Cheesecake Factory with family on Saturday, and mama's Sunday dinner on Sunday (wow, it looks worse in writing). It's just a part of our culture. However, I will say that I think celebratory eating clearly does not have the same negative impact on your life as emotional overeating does.

In regard to my friend, I wish her the best. She is more beautiful than she realizes and I hope that at some point she can come to terms with her issues and get down to the healthy weight that she so strongly desires.

As for myself, my goal is to be healthy and able to maintain a reasonable weight. I still have about 20 pounds of extra weight since having my daughter...and I'm working on it.

Three Dresses and a Skirt

2009-06-14T18:58:00.005-04:00

It may not sound like much to you...but for me, it represents a turning point in my life.

I spent most of my 20's shunning dresses and skirts. Why...I'm not quite sure but it's the truth. A good pair of jeans or black pants (to minimize the curves) were staples for me and I sported them without fail.

And I don't know if the change happened when I had Camryn or as I got closer to 30, but now I absolutely love them!

I love the femininity that a beautiful dress gives you. Or a skirt that shows just enough thigh to be subtly sexy. Pair them with a great perfume and cute stilettos and you're ready to do the damn thing.

And I know that I only have three dresses and one skirt right now but I'm working on it. Matter of fact, I tried on 3 others today that I liked...but I'll have to wait until my funds are right on that one. A girl does have bills to pay!

You know this is really not just about a skirt or a dress. It's about personal growth and coming into who you are. The fact that I only wore pants was not because I loved them, but because I was limiting myself and not exploring all that was available to me. At this point in my life, I am wise enough to see it for what it is and I realize now that when Oprah said 'Live Your Best Life,' she was really onto something.

Bottom line - if you are still doing the same thing that you were doing 5 years ago, 10 years ago...there's a problem. Reinvent yourself and become anew.

You Must...

2009-06-13T11:23:00.001-04:00

While I am still very much a work in progress, there are a few things that I have learned in my three decades on this earth. I have learned that you must:

- learn how to take life one day at a time...appreciating each new beginning and thankful for each end

- accept that each day is unique, filled with challenges and opportunities

- forget the bad and embrace the good

- gain wisdom from every experience (ALWAYS get the lesson)

- be yourself (whomever that may be)

Most important of all - love deeply, live freely, and laugh often

A Woman's Worth

2009-06-12T17:31:00.011-04:00

Unfortunately, women being mistreated by the men in their lives is all around me.

At this point, I am single by choice, not even dating, going on 2 years now...and the prospect of getting back on the dating scene is daunting.

When I look around at those in relationships, the number of healthy unions are few and far between.

So why are so many of us in toxic relationships...with men that are not good for us, have nothing to offer, and treat us as if we are less than?

I think part of the problem is that we as women are naturally nurturing beings, looking to take care of and please someone else...Maternal instincts extend far beyond our children. This puts us in a position in which we sacrifice our own needs and happiness for the sake of someone else (your child - maybe worth it; a man - NEVER).

Let's also not forget the societal pressures that women face to be married and have children by a certain age. Numerous friends and family members have jokingly called me an old maid more times than enough.

And then there's just those women who look for validation from a man. They never take the time to get to know themselves and what makes them happy.

I have been in an unhealthy relationship myself so I am speaking from experience. The stress and heartbreak of it is something I vow to not experience again. Since my daughter was born 2 years ago and her father and I split up, I have taken this time to really come to understand who I am, what I need to be happy, and truly value my worth.

Sounds simple enough but many of us are lost when it comes to these things. And in my case, I know that I have an example to set for my daughter. She will not grow up seeing me disrespected and demeaned by men only to fall into the same pattern.

We as women are strong and beautiful and need to be treated as such. We have an unending amount of love to give - to the RIGHT one and should never settle for anything less.

Life is Too Long to Be Unhappy

2009-06-10T18:06:00.001-04:00

So as I get closer to entering my 30th year of life, there have been a lot of things on my mind.

I've had the past few months to think about the things that matter most to me: family, Camryn, friends, my career, financial stability, my relationship with Christ, and giving back/interacting with my community.

Part of my goal in making this next decade of my life a happy one is to focus on these things...some are already in order and there's room for improvement in others.

Either way, the prospect of taking control of my happiness is exciting.

The Scales of Responsibility Are Never Equal

2009-06-08T18:17:00.002-04:00

...even in the best of circumstances, it will always tip to the mother's side...it's just how it is.

My daughter's father was in town this weekend and spent the day with Camryn.

Over the past few months we have made an attempt to work together, drama-free, for the sake of Camryn...and fortunately things have been okay.

So he comes into town this past weekend and because of his situation -- truckdriver passing through the city with no other form of transportation -- I drive Camryn to his mother's house and agree to pick her up in the afternoon.

Everything went well and they enjoyed the day together. When I picked her up, he proceeds to tell me that he does not have the $100...yes $100 that he was supposed to give me (there was some issue with his paycheck) and that he would try to have half of it the next day.

I played it cool and just said okay...

But later that night I was furious. I have 100% of the responsibility for caring for Camryn day and night, I foot the bill for her expenses 100% of the time, and I spent my gas money and time to ensure that he was able to see his child. And he --- cannot even come through with the little bit that is expected.

I know I am not the first nor the last woman to gripe about their child's father.. and this is so typical of irresponsible fathers...but DAMN!

Needless to say, he did not have half of it the next day...

Back On The Scene

2009-06-04T23:27:00.005-04:00

In the course of just two weeks I have sent an email with my resume and cover letter attached, done a phone screen, bought two suits, met for a face-to-face interview, sent thank you notes, and will now be attending a second round of interviews tomorrow.

For anyone who knows me, this is a lot for me to have going on all of a sudden. I've only been laid off for the past 8 months and have spent the majority of that time avoiding the job search process all together.

It's just amazing how quickly things can change.

I feel like I have dusted myself off and am back on the scene. And besides the fact that I had planned to chill with my baby for the rest of the summer, I'm pretty damned excited about the prospect of having a job.

Next task - Get back on the dating scene...

Keep Ya Head Up

2009-05-29T00:25:00.004-04:00

The world can be a really tough place these days.

I have a dear friend that is going through the most extreme of hardships right now...so much so that I struggle to find words of encouragement to lift her spirit.

Everything...I mean everything in her life is coming apart at once.

And sometimes things can get so bad in life that people just don't want to hear "everything will work itself out" or "everything is going to be okay"...in that moment it is not enough.

I have been through a rough time or two myself but nothing to this extent...so I try my best to be an open ear of support and be there in any way that I can to help her get through this.

It's all that I can do.

Ultimately I know that at some point things will turn around. She can only go up from here but for her sake, it needs to come sooner (and I mean soon) rather than later.

Excited...But Scared

2009-05-28T01:36:00.004-04:00

Okay, so I have finally decided to get serious about re-entering the workforce. These months (7 to be exact) have been amazing with my daughter but it's time to begin preparing to join the real world again.

I sat down this past weekend to do some job searching and ended up applying for a couple of jobs. I would love to stay in Louisville but based on the current market it may not be an option.

I am looking regionally in cities like Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Nashville. That way I will still be relatively close to my family and can travel to see them when I please.

So far I have gotten responses from a transportation company in Jeffersonville, IN (great b/c it's just right across the bridge) and a healthcare company in Chillicothe, OH (???, I heard it was in the sticks).

The thing that gets me is that when I think about returning to work, all of the stresses of daycare and sick baby appointments come to mind.

Fortunately, at my last job I had a lot of flexibility. If Camryn was sick, I could easily take her to the pediatrician then return home to work from my laptop (company provided) for the rest of the day. No questions asked.

The likelihood that I will have this same flexibility with my new employer seems slim to none.

And what impression will I give when I not only have to miss work to care for a sick child but also am out of the office promptly at 5 o'clock in order to make it to the daycare in time...those late fees are no joke.

I have witnessed the sacrifices that so many mothers make to raise children and have a career and it sucks.

For now I am just going to focus on getting that offer...then I'll figure the rest out...as I always do.

Mama Never Told Me There'd Be Days Like This

2009-05-27T00:02:00.005-04:00

Meet Camryn.

She's the bright-eyed munchkin who drove me crazy today.

At times being a mother is the strangest balance in life...you love them so much and they make you smile, but bedtime/naptime can't come fast enough.

Today I looked at the clock around 6pm and told myself, "only three more hours until you can relax". Those three hours were filled with spaghetti...on her own plate and everywhere else, spaghetti on my plate, numerous requests for juice, book reading, counting, cuddling, tantrums, and laughter.

As I'm sitting here now, she is fast asleep and my living room floor is covered with flash cards, toys, and pillows from the sofa that she delighted in throwing down.

It will not be cleaned up tonight...but hey, at least the dishes are done.

Jill Scott called life "a beautiful struggle" and this is exactly how I would describe life as a mother - the most unpredictable and challenging, yet rewarding experience one can have.

And then you get up the next day and do it all over again.

The Shape of A Mother

2009-05-25T13:07:00.005-04:00

Somehow, somewhere today I found an interesting website dedicated to a mother's post-baby body: http://www.theshapeofamother.com/

Having had a child at the ripe old age of 28, I was so happy to see a community of women who have the same blues.

In my case, I honestly have to say that a large part of my post-baby, less stellar body came from being so wrapped up in the throws of motherhood, work, and trying to find my new self that I completely neglected caring for my body for a while...and it showed.

I wore the typical pony tail every day for 6 months straight, sweats whenever possible and losing pounds was the last thing on my mind. Before I knew it, I was back up to my pre-delivery weight...yuck!

The good thing is that I am now getting back on track. Having a child affects every woman differently, and for me it has taken me a long time to feel like myself again. I am now more conscious of the things that I put in my body, have been working out consistently for a few weeks now, and feel great.

And yes, the belly still shows signs of baby wear and tear and the hips are wider. I know that in some ways it will never be the same but ultimately that's just a part of the deal.

I'm almost 30...

2009-05-24T20:27:00.006-04:00

So I just realized today that the big "30" is less than a month away. It's looming over my head and I'm asking myself...where did the time go.

It's been 12 years since I graduated from high school and things are so far what I had imagined for myself. A lot has happened over the years, both good and bad. I did finish college fortunately, do have one of the two children I wanted, and have established a career in Human Resources. But needless to say I am batting a thousand on some of the other things, like a husband, a home, and the slim and toned body that I dream of.

All the while, life is good. I know that in due time all of my childhood goals and wishes will come true. I really believe that.

And as I approach the next decade of my life, I feel much more confident and mature. I no longer second guess myself and am slowly getting more comfortable in the skin I'm in.

Although my 20's were a great time in my life and filled with cherished memories, I am racing non-stop to 30 and never looking back.

The Baby Daddy

2009-05-20T01:12:00.004-04:00

Wow...there it is and I said it.

Years ago when I heard Fantasia's tribute to baby mamas I never in a million years thought that I would be one...but life happens.

Camryn's father and I met in December of 2006 through mutual friends. It was random and at the time I was not looking for a relationship, but we clicked instantly and so began a tumultuous and unhealthy relationship. Things were either great or horrible. There was no in between. We were either on cloud nine or going through hell. All the while, I was madly in love with him.

After just under a year of dating we moved in together and I was pregnant shortly after. I had my child knowing that her father and I probably...no definitely would not make it. For all of his good qualities, he was controlling, insecure, and negative. The entire relationship, all two years of it, really brought me down and when I think back on it now I realize that I was just in a bad place at that time in my life...too eager to relinquish who I was and too determined to make him into the man that I wanted him to be.

I chalk it up as a lesson learned. The silver lining is that I gained a self-respect that I lacked before and I became a mother to a beautiful baby girl.

For Camryn, I know that she will never know what it's like for her mother and father to be together. We split when she was just one month old. However, she will always know that she is tremendously loved regardless of her parent's situation. And fortunately for her, she has been raised in a warm and loving environment, surrounded with nothing but positive energy. I am fiercely protective of that.

For me, I know that I am no less worthy and respectable than before. Occasionally I will notice a lifted brow or look of judgment when I say that I have a child and am not married (nor divorced) but I have no regrets as this life experience has made me the woman that I am today.

Like Fantasia said...Single motherhood is a badge of honor...one that I wear proudly.

My Second Mother's Day

2009-05-11T18:28:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was Mother's Day. I spent the night at my mother's and it turned out to be a relaxing and fun day with the family.

Camryn is almost 2 now and I can't imagine my life without her. She's so sweet yet boisterous and by the grace of god, is a very confident and secure child.

My first year of motherhood was a tough one to say the least. Her father and I split shortly after she was born and I quickly came to understand the challenges and responsibilities of being a single mother. On top of that, my finances were in shambles. I had credit card debt, furniture debt, a car payment and could barely keep my head above water trying to pay $600 a month in childcare. Formula disappeared in the blink of an eye and I was working mad hours at my job. It was a whirlwind.

Fortunately we pulled through and the storm is over. My family rallied to my side without judgment or prying and I am forever thankful to them for doing so. Camryn is and always has been a wonderful baby and kept me going through it all. I love her more than anything and we have a bond like no other.

I truly believe everything happens for a reason and I wouldn't trade my experiences for the world. It's made me stronger and a more compassionate and empathetic person.

Either way, being a mother is amazing and for every woman in the world that is fortunate enough to be called so...always know that we are awesome for all that we do.

Happy Mother's Day!

You Make Plans and God Laughs

2009-04-30T14:50:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I think back to the day that I got laid off from my job and chuckle to myself.

My whole department was called into a meeting first thing on a Monday morning and were told that our jobs had been affected by the current economic downturn. We would be laid off immediately and they were sorry but that was that.

I was in shock and cried right there in the meeting. How could my job possibly be going away...What I did was important! And how would I find another job in this market.

I had plans to work for this company for exactly 5 years, then move on to X company in X role for X years...and etc.

Reality check, seriously. I'd been hearing about lay-offs almost daily on the news but when it happens to YOU, it's a different story.

So back to my chuckle. It's for a couple of reasons.

I am now so thankful for the opportunity to be at home with my daughter. Being at home with her since she was 13 months old has been so rewarding and valuable to me...and it's time that I will probably never have with her again.

Financially, between my severance package and unemployment, I did alright. All of the financial woes that I experienced while working and paying childcare are now gone.

And most of all, my piece of mind and contentment are back. My job at the consulting firm entailed a lot of hours and unforgiving deadlines so it did not make for good work/life balance. My time was consumed with work, caring for an infant, and all of the pressures that came with it.

My life currently consists of no alarm clocks and no bed times...daily episodes of Oprah and frolicking around with my daughter as I please. While it is only temporary, it sure has been much needed R&R.

I now know that God knew best exactly what I needed, when I needed it...regardless of my plans.

About Me

2009-04-22T22:47:00.004-04:00

Who Am I?

A 30-something single mom of one beautiful baby girl. I am sweet, reserved at times, and overly analytical. I daydream constantly and secretly dream of being a writer someday. By day I am an HR professional and enjoy spending time with family and friends (everyone always says this LOL, but for me it really is the truth).

Why Reinvented Chick?

The name 'Reinvented Chick' captures how I feel as a young woman who has experienced heartbreak, disappointment, joy, and rejuvenation throughout my short adulthood. I am here, I survived, life goes on, and I'm no worse (actually better) for the wear, amen. Who knows what the future has in store.

Best Things About My Life

My babygirl, my loving family, the ability to do it on my own, favor.

Likes - Shoes, shopping, food, internet surfing, news/current events

Dislikes - Debt, negativity

What's My Motivation?

Being all that God has intended me to be. He has blessed me with intelligence, wisdom, a warm and compassionate heart, and the foundation to be a great mother. While never perfect, my goal is to be outstanding...in character, integrity, and love.

Where Am I At The Moment?

Louisville, KY