Buy Stuff!!!

Well Pooka people in my quest for self improvement , I decided to focus on some things I could do “better”. I am always out of everything! I wake up to put my contacts in and realize that I’m out of contact solution, so I have to put on my glasses and run to the store. I get to the Laundromat , turn over the detergent bottle and cringe as that one last drop of detergent drops in and I have to drive to the store quickly and get some more with my clothes in the machine (you know I love my natural/organic laundry detergent which is never in the Laundromat vending machine!), every month I forget I’m a “girl” and I’m surprised when a certain “aunt” comes to visit, as I run to the closet I realize I have no more supplies that my aunt needs!! Why? Why? Why?! I’ve always been that way , very last minute! I’ve been to Donna’s house and I can ask for anything, “Hey, do you have a frog dissecting kit?” and she’ll say, “Yup, hall closet!", “How about a bottle of nitro glycerine?", I ask. “Uh huh, medicine cabinet!", “Might you have a pound of turkey necks?”, now i got her i think to myself. “In the freezer, Dawn!” I can never stump this girl! Who has an extra of everything?! I decided to work on this, no more buying what I need when I’m out of it, I’m going to stock up. On my next visit to the grocery store I made a list and purchased all of the items that I didn’t need right now but I knew I would need. I was so proud of myself ! I called Donna and told her about my new changes. She was very happy for me and told me, “Dawn, that’s being a wife. Having all the stuff you need before you need it”. HELLO!!!! Why didn’t she tell me this before! Is that all it took, well then I should be somebodies wife by this weekend! I knew I needed to share this information with other single women! Ladies just buy stuff and prince charming will show up!
I got up later that week and had to do laundry, I packed up my clothes and went to the Laundromat, when I got there I froze after I loaded my clothes and realized, NO DETERGENT! But wait, I bought some last time and it’s in the car! I was so happy. I loaded my clothes and poured in my all natural detergent. As I watched my clothes start washing I couldn’t figure out why there were no bubbles, so I added a little more detergent, I had never used the powder detergent before so I just figured I needed to add more. Okay now I’ve put in almost ¼ of the box, no bubbles, I turned the box over and realized that it was dishwasher detergent! So now all of my clothes are sparkling clean and they have a shine like you’ve never seen before! People change is good but it’s never EASY! Hopefully the bright light from my sparkly clothes will lead prince charming right to me!

ps Ladies all you need to do is buy stuff and he’ll show up, just by the right stuff! And If you forget to buy stuff, just call Donna, she’ll have it!

Back To Work!!!

Hey Pooka Family! Well, it's back to work for me on Monday. I have enjoyed my extended leave at home with Taiye and of course I wouldn't mind staying home a little while longer but you know as well as I that you need a 2-parent home income to live comfortably in these parts of New Jersey. Truth be told, I am sort of looking forward to going back to work. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being a mother but I also enjoy being a career woman. I've always had a strong work ethic (Thanks Grandpa) and I enjoy my job at IBM. As with any employer you have your ups and downs but by in large I am very proud to be an IBMer. I'm proud of our company's position with building a greener, smarter planet. I'm proud of our philanthropic endeavors and our humanitarian contributions. And I'm proud of our CEO. When I saw him at a round table panel discussion with President Obama, a feeling of pride came over me. He is an honest and direct leader who communicates with us frequently on our company goals. This in turn motivates me to work hard in helping to achieve those goals. So Pooka family, today I am excited and looking forward to my first day back at work! Stay tuned to next month to see if I'm still sprouting that optimism

Just do it!

Pooka family, you know its only in times of extreme emergency that we (people) as a collective whole, realize that the things we want (new cars, clothes etc.) and aspire for are meaningless when we are faced with devestation. This has been a very tough week for millions of people. First a friend of ours from college called to let us know her son was killed. Another young black man murdered in the city over nothing. Leaving his family devestated and trying to pick up the pieces. In times like these what can you say, could anyone have done anything to change this? A kind word, a stern word, a prayer? I think Michael Baisden has the right idea, we need to help our people, ALL OF OUR PEOPLE. Because every boy or girl you see is YOUR child. Our legacy(which is our children) is dwindling and we are letting it go through our hands like sand. I know there is somebody in everybody's family that needs some kind of help. Reach out, ask folks! They will be glad you did and so will you.

To our Haitian Family, we pray for you in your time of need. This has been a devestating event that is just undescribable. We also pray that everyone in the USA and abroad will be able to find their loved ones safe and that everyone gets the help that they need. I am proud to be an American and I am proud of our president and all of the nameless people, REAL PEOPLE all over the world who are comming together to help save Haiti. For the rest of us that can't go to Haiti to help, send some money, it doesn't have to be a lot and there are plenty of organizations that you can give to. Make 2010 your year to help somebody else! Come on people, just do something!

Happy New Me!!!!

Greetings Pooka Family. Happy New You! I have decided that is my theme for 2010. I am not going to make a list of resolutions that I never keep. I choose instead for optimal health and happiness and I believe that is about the choices we make. I know that I need an exercise regimen this year but it is about finding one that is fun. That may mean yoga, pilates or even kick boxing! I will take my vitamins and be more careful about what I put into my body but if I really want that double chocolate chip cookie once in a while it’s ok. The food police won’t arrest me. I will make time to read those books to keep my brain juices flowing. I will work on my friendships because sometimes a “just sending an email because I am thinking of you” can make the difference in someone’s day. I will keep my personal relationship new and fresh. Watch out husband!! I will make sure to have plenty of dates with myself. We all need to remember to just sit still and listen. I will remember to pray about everything!!!!! I will smile more than I frown and I will be slow to anger by always giving everyone the benefit of a doubt. We have to remember that we never know what kind of day someone has had, what is going on in their home life or that sometimes people just have a bad day. I am hopeful family for the days ahead in this new year. Let’s all decide to be happy. Make sure your choices lead you to this goal. 2010 I hope you are ready for me because I am ready for you!!!

No More Resolutions!

Happy New Year Pooka Family!
Well this New Year's Eve I did a lot of thinking. I listened to a lot of people who were overjoyed to get rid of 2009 and I started thinking why is it that at the end of every year we can't wait to get rid of that year because it was horrible, but this was the same year we welcomed with excitement last January! Lets be thankful for every year we are allowed to see. Thanks 2009 for the good the bad and for just being here to experience it all. Now that being said or thought I wondered if I should even make resolutions? hmmmm....Let me think about resolutions past and see how some those turned out.....
1. I still don't look like Halle Barry
2. I didn't do the stairmaster every day, so.....my butt still doesn't look like Jennifer Lopez'(remember that blog?!)
3. Will Smith still hasn't called me if you remember my past blogs, neither has Danny Glover or Morgan Freeman!
4. I still can't make collard greens and continue to eat free stuff at Whole Foods!
5. I tried to live by my budget but you all read my ipod blog!
6. I haven't found Barack Obamas brother and married him to make myself Michelle Obama(oh you missed that one!?here it is!)
7. I haven't cleaned up yet.....(yeah there was one for that too!)
8. Hmmm...my hair, well I'm leaving that one alone and you should too, LOL!

The list goes on and on, LOL! So this year no resolutions for me, I'm just going to be the best I can be and when 2010 ends I'll be happy for a great year!

Essence Magazine....FINALLY!!!

Well Pooka Family, it's finally happened! We have our first product placement in Essence Magazine!!!! We are so excited. We have been sending products to Essence for the past 9 years and this month, January 2010, WE GOT IN, LOL!!! They featured our Hair Nectar and Mikki Taylor even gave us a great review. I've shown the magazine to a lot of people and some folks have said, Were'nt you guys already in Essence?, HUH!! Nope!! I've been telling people that Essence has 12 issues a year and about 2-3 beauty product pages per issue. That makes about 36 pages per year. Now you have to think there are 1000's and 1000's of beauty product companies, not even including the big boys like Revlon, Cover Girl, Fashion Fair, ect. So all that being said, we are overjoyed that a Pooka product was able to find a little spot on one of those pages! Make sure you check it out, January Issue, Page 38! It's a great way to start out the year, I'm enthused and energized and this year is the year of the Pookalitas, LOL! Hang on for the ride, you know we're taking you with us....WE GOT NEXT!

Her First Holiday Turkey!!!

Greetings Family! Well we are into the holiday season full swing and boy am I tired!!! Now you know that the holidays are a Foodies favorite time of year. So many recipes so little room in your stomach to try them all! Well......I hosted Thanksgiving this year, at my house, for the first time. This was a major big deal. I thought, ok I have every magazine and cookbook and have watched all of the food network holiday specials two times. I can do this!! I also thought that I would start with a small gathering to ease myself into this tradition. Well the ghosts of Thanksgiving past decided that I should have a house full of people. Ok, plan B to have everyone contribute to the festivities so a Foodie like myself didn't have a melt down. My mother and I planned the menu and gave everyone their assignments. My mother, aka, hostess extraordinaire, helped with the decorating and table setting and seating as well. I have big shoes to fill to follow my Mom. She is my hostess and decorating inspiration in life!! I made my shopping list and hit the store. I must admit however, that I had never cooked a turkey before. How hard could it be. Just like a big chicken right!! Well this is where my mother-in-law came in to save me. She stayed with us over the holiday and cooked her famous potato salad and her greens and cakes. She showed me how to prep and season the turkey. She even got up early in the morning to put the bird in the oven so it would be ready for our company!! I am forever grateful to her for this lesson. Now that is the type of mother-in-law that I hope all of you have! I made glazed carrots, cornbread stuffing and my sweet potato pies! My aunties made baked salmon, sweet potatoes and string beans. Tricia baked us a ham (you must accommodate the pork eating guests!!) and made her fabulous desserts. Yummy!! My mother made fantastic herb roasted chicken and her famous macaroni and cheese. Now I must inform everyone that there was a near riot because my mother only had one pan because she left the other one home! We worked it out though and everyone had plenty. Dawn made her famous..... she whipped up some.....well Dawn brought the bread!! Our creative genius makes body butter not things with real butter in them lol! We prayed over the food and our home and everyone had a great time. Everyone stayed for a long time with their bellies very full which is the sign of a good holiday dinner. They left with plenty of food to take home for left overs. All in all, it was a very successful first Thanksgiving. I couldn't have done any of it without everyone's help. I also want to give a special thanks to my husband who moved more furtniture and hung more curtain rods then he thought possible. Thanks hubby!! Just in case you are wondering….we will be celebrating Christmas at my parents' house!! Here is wishing everyone a good eating, happy and healthy holiday!!!