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First Anniversary of my 30th Born Day

Thirty-odd years ago on September 16, a star was born. That star would be yours truly. This is the first birthday that I felt like it was just another day. Does this mean I'm officially old?

My original plan was to chill. Well that plan was nixed quickly. Thanks to family and friends I spent it out. It was a weekend full of laughs, good food, delish drinks and new activities. Cheers to another year of life.

Life Is But a Beach Chair

My goodness. I haven't blogmoired in some months of Sundays. I was too busy gettingmylife.com

I just returned from vacation in the Bahamas. It is such a beautiful, relaxing place. I feel a sense of calm whenever I am around ocean blue water. There is not a care in the world. No stress. Everyday responsibilities forgotten. That's what you call good living.

Now that I am back in the States, I am rejuvenated and can hear my angels sing.

All Gadget Everything

It really hit me when I was taking a survey. Are we addicted to gadgets? Do you even remember life before smartphones, DVR's and streaming technology? The question was:

Which of the following devices do you own or have within your household? Please select all that apply.

• desktop computer
• laptop
• eReader
• tablet
• smartphone (BlackBerry, iPhone, Android)
• none of these 

I won't admit to my answer but let's just assume I didn't answer "none of these."

Lent 2012

Catholics and Christians are not the only people who participate in Lent. Neither are the fad followers on social networks because Lent is the in-thing to do. I was once a Catholic schoolgirl and I still participate. It is a period of 40 days devoted to fasting and abstinence. People typically "give up" things they are attached to. Last year, I gave up specific items for Lent. This year, I took a more mature approach.

While reading Jen Hatmaker's 7, I considered three questions when trying to determine what to "give up" for Lent.

1. What in my life, if taken away, would alter my value or identity?
2. What causes an unhealthy change of attitude, personality, or focus when "it" becomes threatened?
3. What is the thing outside of God that you put everything else on hold for?

My first thought was food. Seriously, I am most happy when food is in my mouth. No joke. It comforts me. It soothes me. It fulfills me. But I gave up certain foods last Lent. My second thought was liquid crack, Pepsi. But I gave Pepsi up last Lent. And besides, I just purchased a 12-pack. That certainly can't sit in my fridge untouched for 40 whole days. My third thought was books. But that would mean giving up spiritual and Bible study books that I read along with fiction. Plus I have book review and manuscript commitments. For a split second, I thought about joining Chickadee with Daniel's Fast. A split second! See where this is going? At this rate, I would be skipping Lent 2012. So I thought about it on a broader scale.

"Need" and "want" are not interchangeable. Americans tend to forget this. I personally have a bad habit of justifying purchases based on what I "want" instead of "need." Another question proposed in 7 really got me to thinking. "Would Jesus overindulge on garbage food while climbing out of a debt hole from buying things He couldn't afford to keep up with neighbors He couldn't impress?"

My Lent 2012: No excess. No overindulgence. No irresponsible spending.

I will only purchase what I need, not want. I will use items I already have instead of spending money on more, more, and more. I will still eat chicken, but it doesn't have to be fried and smothered in gravy. I will still drink Pepsi, but not my usual 12 oz. can per day. I will still read books, but only from my public library or my To Be Read pile. No sense in purchasing new books while I already have tons to read already. Sorry Amazon Wish List, you're being put on hold. I will still wear makeup, but crack open the new items I have yet to wear rather than splurging on sale items from Ulta and Sephora. Instead of grabbing food from fast food joints, I will cook the food already in my kitchen. No more handing my debit card over for that cute new pair of jeans when I have stacks of unworn jeans in my closet. And this hurts my heart, but no purchasing boots when I already own pairs that my pretty little feet have yet to step into.

"I will reduce, so He can increase." ~ Jen Hatmaker

I will also "Pause & Pray." My mind is in rotation 25/8. I rarely take a moment to just pause and meditate. Take a quiet breath. So I will make a conscious effort to pause during random moments of my day to pray.

This will be a challenge but I am looking to make it a lifestyle. I am hoping this Lent season will last more than 40 of my calendar days. Share your Lent 2012 plans.

My Epitaph

At This Very Moment

At this very moment I am jamming to Johnny Kemp's Just Got Paid, dancing in my snuggie while I type, inhaling the scent of a Dark Mint Chocolate candle and nibbling on Girl Scout Cookies.

 

Something I Miss

I miss the carefree days as a child. Playing on my swing set and gazebo. Riding my 12-speed bike around the East side of Detroit. Watching shows like Full House, Family Matters, Cosby Show, and A Different World on Friday nights, then waking up Saturday morning to watch Saved by the Bell and Wonder Years. What I really miss is the ability to sleep in. Now I have an internal clock that goes off at 6 a.m. every morning without fail. I miss adjusting the thermostat without a second thought. Now I keep it at a steady temp to keep control of my heating bill. Being an adult sucks. There are responsibilities. There are bills to be paid. The 1st of the month used to just symbolize a new month. Now the 1st of the month means a mortgage payment is due. There are critical life-changing decisions to make. Moves to be made. Money to earn. The list goes on. But this is what I miss: a carefree childhood.

I Won't Leave The House Without My...

iPhone 4S

Siri is my bish.

I Will Never Get Tired Of...

Music

Brit Chick in my Head

I am a Brit chick in my head. London, England UK is my hometown. Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) is my neighbor. Eight-time Grammy Award winner Adele Adkins is my BFF (singing about our hometown in the video below). Shopaholic Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) is a close friend. Even though sales tax is a whopping 17.5% on most goods, we shop together on Oxford Street in The West End. I even speak in a faux British accent. It's a fun game I play when meeting strangers. Little do they know, I'm just a chick from The Motor City. 

One day I'd like to actually visit and experience London town. Spend an evening at the Central London Theatres. Stroll around The British Museum in Bloomsbury. Listen to live jazz while dining at Quaglino's. Indulge in a formal afternoon tea. Watch the sun set at Waterloo Bridge. Witness the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Crawl through the best London pubs. Then wake up Sunday morning to sound off on a random subject at Speakers Corner. Can you tell I am obsessed with living the British life?

The well-known gospel hymn Beulah Land references my feelings perfectly: I'm kind of homesick for a country to which I've never been before.

My iPod Shuffle Playlist

You can learn a lot about a person from the music he/she listens to. I put my iPod on shuffle. Below is a list of the first 25 songs that played.

• When the Cookie Jar is Empty ~ Michael Franks
• Next ~ The Weeknd
• Nights Over Egypt ~ The Jones Girls
• Venus vs. Mars ~ Jay-Z
• Free ~ Destiny's Child
• Millionaire ~ Kelis & Andre 3000
• Rack City Remix ~ Tyga and 'nem
• What If ~ Jaguar Wright
• Promiscuous ~ Nelly Furtado & Timbaland
• Promise ~ Ciara
• Better That We Break ~ Maroon 5
• Say Hello ~ Jay-Z
• Lions, Tigers & Bears ~ Jazmine Sullivan
• Ephipany ~ Jill Scott
• Little Red Boat ~ Angel Grant
• Million Dollar Bill ~ Whitney Houston
• Gimme What You Got ~ Al Jarreau
• November 18th ~ Drake
• Funkin' for Jamaica ~ Tom Browne
• Never Givin' Up ~ Aaliyah
• Bodies ~ Drowning Pool
• Focus ~ Joe Budden
• Vivrant Thing ~ Q Tip
• Ace Us Remix ~ S.O.T. the Fam
• Anniversary ~ Tony Toni Tone

My Last Purchase

I needed a session of retail therapy and went on a boot binge. My last purchases are all boots. Fashionable, comfy and classic. See pics below.

Brown Ugg Boot Keychain

Chestnut Classic Ugg Boots

Black Over the Knee Boots

Super. Bowl. Sunday.

Today is Super Bowl 2012. I'm only here for the commercials and snacks.

And the best Super Bowl 2012 commercial is once again Detroit's Chrysler commercial. Our commercials are so intense and real, like our city. The message sticks with you long after the 2 minute commercial has ended. In fact, I fell asleep last night hearing Clint Eastwood's raspy voice in my head. "It's halftime in America." Watch it below.

Happy Our History Month

It's all black.

I love us!

Song Lyrics That Describe Me

 Flaws and All ~ Beyonce (released 2007)

I'm a train wreck in the morning
I'm a bitch in the afternoon
Every now and then without warning
I can be really mean towards you
I'm a puzzle yes indeed
Ever complex in every way
And all the pieces aren't even in the box
And yet, you see the picture clear as day

What's in my Bag?

 

Disclaimer: Some items are excluded for anonymity.

Meaning Behind My Blog Name

A lot of people use an internet alias. My name is truer to life.

• My first name begins with the letter L.
• My middle name is Marie.
• Friends call me "L Dot" as a nickname.
• I am a reader, writer, book reviewer and copyeditor. 
• To be literary means relating to books, writings and authorship; acquainted with literature; preferring books to actual experience.
• Combine all of the above: Literary Marie or L. Marie (for short)

Spirituality: Saints and Aints

The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary 11th edition defines spirituality as sensitivity or attachment to religious values. Wikipedia states spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality, an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being, or the deepest values and meanings by which people live.


My interpretation of spirituality is simple. I believe it is a state of mind that shows through every day actions. Spirituality does not equate being religious. Prime example: you can be a deacon in church, on the Praise & Worship team and a Bible thumper, but not spiritual. 

Let me give you a little background before I dive in further. I grew up in a Baptist church. My memories consist of matching attire customized by Gabby's Originals (because it is a fashion show every Sunday), loud singing, wild dancing in the aisles for those suddenly struck with the Holy Ghost, waving hand fans with the face of MLK on the front, a gasping stomping Reverend who emphasizes the last word of every sentence-uh. It speaks volumes that I remember these details but none of the taught scripture. As an adult, I am a member of Bedside Baptist (attending church services via the web from the comfort of my bed with a Bible, notebook and pen beside me).  


I am firm believer that I do not need church to worship or know the Lord. I do not need to physically attend a church to help strengthen my relationship with God. I do not need to contribute my hard-earned pennies to the never-ending "Building Fund."


Instead, I pray and conduct my own Bible study inviting the Holy Spirit to join me, guide me into the truth and help me through patient practice to discern right from wrong. Without the distractions of an ineffective church setting, I have a clear and open mind to focus on the Word. And this is how I progress spiritually.

What is it Called? A Migraine.

If blogging daily was a New Year's resolution, I would have already failed. But I have a valid, yet unfortunate reason.

**DUN DUN DUN**

Photo by Deborah Leigh (Migraine Chick)

A migraine attack. The worst kind. The migraine that wakes me up in the middle of the night, holds my sleep hostage and smacks me upside the head with unbearable pain. I wrote a poem for Migraine Page that was originally published on September 16, 2000 (my 19th birthday). More than 11 years later and it still accurately describes my migraines. 

What Is It Called?

  I have been diagnosed with migraines ever since the age of 4. It is hereditary and hopefully they will cease when I reach the tender age of 30, like the previous women in my family.

Oh God--not another painful day
I took Excedrin Migraine but it chose to stay
The aura began thirty minutes ago
No more vomit--that's when I was four
Nausea, sensitivity to sound and light
Confusion, depression, and no appetite
Can't hardly see because I'm so dizzy
Everyday one out of seven Americans stop their activities
My prescription Elavil is making me drowsy
How can one function feeling this lousy
Time to get the icepack and lie down
Lord give me strength--it's starting to pound
ThrobbingPulsatingBuildingInSeverity
Excuse my jibberish--my words are slurring
Have you experienced this excruciating pain
What is it called--a MIGRAINE

One Year Blogoversary

Today is my one year blogoversary!

To start the 2nd year of my blogmoir off right, I am doing a 12-day blog challenge. Let me keep it all the way funky and warn you. I will more than likely skip days because {insert lame excuse here}. But I will not deprive you of posts. Here are the 12 topics you can look forward to:

Day 1: Spirituality
Day 2: Meaning Behind Blog Name
Day 3: What's in my Bag
Day 4: Song Lyrics That Describe Me
Day 5: My Last Purchase
Day 6: Brit Chick in My Head
Day 7: Something I Will Never Get Tired Of
Day 8: Something I Don't Leave The House Without
Day 9: Something I Miss
Day 10: First 10 Songs on iPod Shuffle
Day 11: This Very Moment
Day 12: My Epitaph