Family Ties

First, let me thank you all for your immeasurable support and your words of encouragement and inspiration. In a world where people tend to shy away from those in need, it's nice to know there are still some that show up instead of walking up. You're simply the best!

I took a much need mini vacation and went to visit family and had a great time. I spent time with my older brother and family to include his in-laws who welcomed me like I was one of their own. That was a lovely feeling; especially when I have no blood relatives close to me outside of lil lady.

I also went to my cousin's wedding and hung out with the rest of the crazy cousins. We're the kind of people that we simply pick up where we left off and never worry about the lack of communication in between. We spend our time catching up, eating, drinking, and talking trash. If any of you have ever spent any time with a close knit Jamaican family, then you have an idea of what I'm talking about. If you haven't, you're missing a truly good time. My best friend Rayne, got her taste of my clan a few years ago and has become an honorary "Jamerican" and was welcomed into the clan. She looks forward to the annual get together in Orlando where the majority of the cousins live. We're planning for the upcoming one in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, I'll recover enough to tell you all about it, but trust me, some of the details are on a Vegas level *wink* so I won't be sharing everything.

Being around them filled me with love, warmth, closeness, and all the things I needed to refresh and rejuvenate myself. The time away was well worth the 6-hour drive one way to see them.

It's amazing how a few days away from work, home, and your usual environment can waken your senses, clear your mind, and help you to live a little better. I certainly know how important it is to treasure family and to make the most of your time together; as I said, I don't get to do it often.

We all get busy and we all have obligations, but take a little time out for yourself and for your family/friends/loved ones. What's the sense in acquiring all that leave time if you don't use it? Even if you can only take one day off, make it a good one and do something memorable.

Change is good...I think

I had high aspirations of posting at least two additional posts by now, but things got the best of me and I wasn't able to post sooner. My Monday post would have been about random acts of kindness and tolerance in keeping with the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Instead of posting, I kicked my sister and brother in law out of their house so they could have some time alone and take care of some errands while I watched my twin niece and nephew. My act of kindness was far better than a post. Agree?

Anyhoo, I accepted a new position within my company, which is very demanding and will alter how I spend my day; hence the title of this post. I did more work today than I have in months and it will continue for some time. Where I used to be able to blog during the day, I probably won't, so please don't think I've forgotten about my lovely readers. Please hang in there and check my blog either very early in the day or later in the evening.

Sorry for this partly lame post, but it's getting late and I really don't have much on my mind. I'm trying to catch up on my DVR'd t.v shows and catch up on other things I would have normally done at work like read blogs...lol! I guess I was pretty spoiled with my previous position. Now, I'm a cashing a big, fat reality check that I actually have to do some work to make that minimum wage. *snicker*

Okay folks, that's all for now, but rest assured the Jewel will keep on shining and continue to bless you with the wrath of my mental accuities.