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Raising Chefs Back From Expo Event

Posted by Latrice Fowler on April 19, 2009 at 3:00am

Raising Chefs...not just good cooks!

5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Life Through Your Actions and Attitude

Posted by THE CONFIDENCE ARCHITECT on April 18, 2009 at 7:47pm

Subscribe Today!5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Life Through Your Actions and AttitudeThis article is dedicated to the winner within YOU.Main Principle Mindset: Everyday that we Wake, ...we WIN!Given this wonderful and awesome feeling, it is up to each one of us to maintain this uplifting positive attitude that, in turn, direct us through our daily journey within this beautiful universe. Oftentimes, our words and self-talk serve as the root of our thoughts which in turns impacts our actions, those actions that cause us to maintain the winning attitude or, allow others and/or situations to take it away.Unconsciously we sabotage our own efforts to maintain the Win everyday. (Yes!...WE allow this to happen) This can be corrected immediately by making a conscious choice to keep failure at bay and to maintain that Winning Attitude regarding both our personal and professional interactions and goals.Failure is not fatal but it can be avoided when you take the necessary steps to ensure your success. Here are a few pitfalls to navigate around.1. Have a plan - Winging it doesn’t always work. In fact, if you are serious about your goals, winging it is never a good idea. Map out a strategy for getting your goals met. Now, just because you write it down doesn’t mean it is set in stone. Plans change but without one, you never really know where you are going or will end up.2. Set deadlines that you can meet - The point of setting a goal is to achieve it. The goal itself might not be easy but it can be realized if you break it down into steps. Unrealistic timelines introduce the possibility of failure into the equation. Let’s say that you want to learn to swim. Giving the goal three weeks is not going to cut it. In fact, when the deadline comes and you still can’t swim, you might just give up.3. Choose your goals for yourself - Sometimes we pursue certain goals because of someone else. It is their desire to speak French or climb a mountain but we take it on for whatever reason. If the desire to achieve is not there, neither will be the success. Lack of a motive for your goals will stop the train every time.4. Don’t do it alone - No man or woman is an island. You interact with people each day. If you are having trouble achieving a goal, ask for help in the way of support. It is hard to reach the finish line when no one is cheering for you. Find the support and resources you need for success and use them.5. Face your fears - As weird as it sounds, there is a fear of success that is going around. If you achieve this one goal, everyone will expect bigger and better things. Even if that’s not true it is the mindset of someone who fears failure. Instead of concentrating on the goal at hand, they worry about future goals that are still floating in the ether. When fear strikes, tell yourself that you will only think of the current goal and not a future that is not reality.Have you met with failure and disappointment in the past when it comes to achieving your goals? Look at the above list and see if any one of these points derailed your goals. If so, deal with the problem and get back on track.Your Life, Your Goals, Your Desires, Your Dreams...then it's Your Responsibility! A person or situation (i.e. recession) CAN NOT define you....WITHOUT Your Permission.

V. Ivana Foster, The Confidence Architect-"Realizing Beauty, Confidence and Dreams from the Inside Out."The North Star Life Empowerment Program(TM), Platinum Level Coaching for Success Driven DivasLike to Learn More? Attend the next FREE Teleseminar in The North Star Life Empowerment Program Conference Center.Choose Your Level of Investment and Commitment to Begin to Live Within Your Purpose and Passion.

Black Enterprise

Posted by Eula M. Young, COO on April 18, 2009 at 12:54pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 17, 2009CONTACT:Eula M. Young, COO212-281-2286griots@griotsrollproduction.comwww.griotsrollproduction.comhttp://griotsroll.ning.comThe May 2009 BLACK ENTERPRISE issue interviews Eula M. Young, COO & Co-founder of Griot's Roll Film Production & Services Inc. to discuss how to use cost saving measures to keep our business and family going in this tough economy in the MoneyWise section of Black Enterprise. Read the entire story in the May issue of Black Enterprise. Eula Young-Guest is taking business courses at WIBO (Workshops in Business Opportunity) to focus on managing the business side of Griot's Roll. Ms. Guest is a member of the Harlem BNI Chapter, New York City Women's Chamber of Commerce, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.Griot's Roll Film Production & Services Inc. is a certified business with the New York City Department of Small Business Services and The New York State Department of Economic Development. At Griot's Roll, we provide production (filming video), post-production (editing video) and video marketing (video pod casting, video e-mails, video blogs, web-casting, electronic business cards, electronic press kits, etc.) multi-media services. We video tape conferences, seminars, lectures, networking events, interviews, public meetings, book signings, employee recruitment videos, festivals, cultural events, social events, training videos, etc., and create a quality video on DVD or electronic business card (mini CD-ROM) that is ready to be shown on your website or online.BLACK ENTERPRISE, a monthly business service publication for African-American professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives. Black Enterprise features insightful and interesting profiles; each issue examines critical personal finance, money, career & wealth management, which are relevant topics and issues surrounding the African-American business society.If you are interested in interviewing either Eula M. Young or Derrick M. Guest, contact us at griots@griotsrollproduction.com or (212) 281-2286. We are available for networking events, business lectures, conferences and panel discussions on alternative & video marketing, social networking, etc.

Are you interested? Reserve your spot today!

Posted by Dominique on April 17, 2009 at 3:38pm

Hello Authors and Business OwnersFrom A Writers POV is looking for 2 published authors and 2 business owners who would like an ad and interview for the month of June or August.Two spots have opened up for these two months and we are looking to fill them ASAP.For Published Authors who are interested, here is the link for more details: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/onebookadvertisement.htmFor Business Owners who are interested, here is the link for more details: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/businessownerinterview.htmPlease be sure to read the guidelines BEFORE submitting your form.Thanks, DominiqueFrom A Writers POVwww.fromawriterspov.webs.com

Cinnamon Bruschetta w/a Pineapple-Strawberry Relish

Posted by Latrice Fowler on April 17, 2009 at 6:57am

Raising Chefs...not just good cooks!

Meet Dr. Cindy Trimm- Influential Women in Ministry & BET Sunday Best- Clifton Ross, III

Posted by Sharvette, Radio Host on April 17, 2009 at 1:43am

Beginning Silversmithing Class

Posted by FireHazard Jewelry on April 16, 2009 at 5:00am

This class is taught with aminimum of tools and cost.You will be supplied with all the tools, supplies, and sterling silver!You will design your own ring.You will design and solder your sterling silver project!You will polish your sterling silver project!You will learn all the basic techniques of silversmithingand goldsmithing in this class!I teach a different method for doing just about everything in jewelry making.after my class you will have the knowledge necessary to be a successful silversmith.For More Information On Up Coming Class Please E-Mail Mesonia@firehazardbeads.comWeekend Classes starting as low as $ 250 for 2 days OR $ 350 for 3 days.including the Silver for 1 project per day.

BeautyTip Of The Week

Posted by Illusions Cosmetics on April 16, 2009 at 3:41am

Spring 2009 Bridal Beauty TipsBridal season is rapidly approaching. Illusions Cosmetics wants to help you create a beautiful makeup look by sharing a few Bridal makeup tips. Following these tips will help you to create makeup looks that you will treasure on your wedding day and years to come in your wedding video and photos.1)Your skin should be healthy and refreshed.2) All facial waxing (brows, lip, chin) should be done at least two weeks before the big day. Only minor cleanup should be done, if necessary, on the day of the wedding.3)Cheek color should be very subtle with shades of peach and pinks.4)Pastels and shades of caramels and browns can be used on the eyes for a soft look. Pinks, corals, reds, and wines should be used to give the lips a pop of color.Your wedding look should not look like your everyday makeup look. There should definitely be a difference in what you apply and how much you apply. Apply enough foundation to give you the proper coverage for your photos. This look should not be the same as your ‘day’ look or your ‘evening’ look. The remaining tips are more suggestions on making your big day perfect.1. Apply a makeup primer before applying foundation on your wedding day. The primer forms a barrier between your skin and the makeup and it helps the makeup stay on all day.2. Avoid trendy eye shadow colors so that your makeup won't look dated in your wedding photos.3. Get your makeup professionally applied. It makes a huge difference in your photos4. Use water proof mascara.5. Using a charcoal, navy or mahogany eye liner will look a lot softer than black or brown liners that often have a severe look.6. Pale lip colors will make you look washed out with a white gown; therefore try brighter lip colors on your wedding day.7. Avoid using eye shadows with shimmer8. Prime the eye so that eye shadow will last all day.9. Use foundations with a yellow undertone, they create a warm, healthy appearance in photos.10. Avoid alcohol and certain foods, the night before your wedding. Misuse of alcohol will have you looking less than your best on your wedding day.For more tips, stay tuned to Beauty Talk With Illusions. You can also check us out on Blog Talk Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/illusions-cosmetics.

Chapter One from my debut Novel Diary of a Sex Addict

Posted by Soul on Fire Publishing on April 15, 2009 at 5:35pm

“911 what’s your emergency?” the operator asked.“It’s my daughter Tiffany! I just came over and found her unconscious in her bed! Please send someone over here right away! She can’t die!” Tiffany’s mother cried hysterically.“Ma’am, I need you to calm down. What’s the address there?”“Hold on, let me find something with the address on it.” Tiffany’s mother ran into the kitchen and found a letter with her address on it. “Okay, I found it. The address is 2792 Edgewater Way, Apt 2.”“Okay, now is your daughter breathing?” Tiffany’s mother placed her hand over her mouth and nose to feel for air. Nothing...“No! She’s not breathing! Oh Lord, she’s not breathing! You have to hurry! She can’t die! Please hurry!”“Ma’am, we are getting there as fast as we can. I need you to calm down. Do you know CPR?”“No!”“That’s okay, I can walk you through it. Tilt your daughter’s head back and lift her chin.”“Okay.”“Now check and make sure nothing is blocking her airway. If there’s nothing there, hold her nose shut, cover her mouth with yours, and give two breaths.”“Okay, I have to put you on speaker phone.” Tiffany’s mother put the phone on speaker and placed it on the bed next to her. She put her mouth over hers and gave her two full breaths. “Now what else do I do?” she asked.“Place your hands one on top of the other on her chest between her breasts. Push down thirty times to a depth of about two inches, at the rate of about two seconds.” Her mother counted aloud until she reached thirty. “Now give her two breaths again and thirty more chest compressions.” Tiffany’s mother continued to perform CPR until the paramedics arrived, then she stepped to the side and let them take over. She continued to cry and pray as the paramedics tried to revive Tiffany.“Lord, I know my daughter has done some things that were wrong but she is trying to change. Lord, please don’t let her leave this Earth without the opportunity to show You that she can do better. Lord, please save Tiffany, don’t let her die. Give her another chance to show You that she will put You first and will overcome this addiction she has. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”*****Before I went to bed my mother called me into her bedroom. At first I was scared she found out I was in her make up earlier that day when she left me alone to go to the store. When I didn’t see the belt sitting next to her on the bed, I knew she hadn’t figured it out and I prayed she never would. My mother had already warned me on more than one occasion that if she ever found out that I went in her stuff without asking, she would beat the black off me. I didn’t understand how you could do that, but I wasn’t about to find out so I made sure I put everything back exactly as I had found it so she wouldn’t suspect anything.My mother was lying in her bed with her favorite black nightdress on. It was long and sheer. She wore her matching bra and panty set underneath. Her hair was neatly combed straight and reached the middle of her back. Her skin was a few shades lighter than mine and her eyes were light brown. She had freckles placed perfectly on her cheeks, giving her an innocent look. My mother was beautiful. One of my mother’s men friends must have been coming over later because that was the only time she put on one of her most revealing nightdresses and wore her hair down.“Yes, mommy, you called me?” I asked, as I stood at the foot of her bed.“Tomorrow Ms. Yvette is bringing her boys, Tony and Wade, over to stay while we go out. I know you haven’t met them before but I want you to be on your best behavior. Be nice and make sure you share your toys,” she said, while getting up to light the candles around her bedroom.“Yes ma’am, I will,” I said. I really wasn’t up to sharing my stuff. I was the only child and never had to share any of my things except for when my aunt Kelly came over. She was my aunt but I am ten months older than she is. She always tried to steal my dolls so I hated when she came over to visit.“Tony is eight, the same age as you, so ya’ll should have a lot in common. You know the rule. Don’t let them get you in trouble. You understand me?” she said.“Yes ma’am, I promise I will be on my best behavior,” I said with a fake smile on my face. I really wasn’t up for entertaining Ms. Yvette’s sons, but who knew; maybe they would be fun to play with.“Okay, go on and go to bed. I have company coming over in a little bit,” she said as she sprayed some perfume on her body and around the room.The next day when Ms. Yvette arrived with her sons, part of me was excited; it wasn’t often that I had someone to play with. I always looked forward to Saturdays because it was the day Mother and Ms. Yvette would leave and I’d be home alone until almost midnight. But, I’d often be afraid to be left alone because I would hear noises all throughout the house. Every squeak and crack would cause me to run into my bedroom and hide under the covers until they came back.One Saturday I asked my mother why she couldn’t get my aunt to watch me while she went out.“Mommy, why can’t Aunt Susan watch me when you go out?” I asked one Saturday, as she was getting dressed.“Because your auntie won’t watch you for free and I don’t want to pay her. That’s my club money. Plus, you’re a big girl. You can watch yourself.” She had a point, I was a big girl and I never got into any trouble while she was away.When the boys arrived, I saw that Tony was much taller than me. He was very skinny, like the poor kids you see on TV in Africa. I wanted to fix him a grilled cheese sandwich as soon as he walked through the door. I could tell he had been playing outside before he came over because he had dirt all over his clothes. I couldn’t tell the last time he combed his hair because his little afro was matted to his head. Wade, who was five, was a chubby little thing. He reminded me of the Pillsbury Dough Boy.Tony and Wade seemed to be shy at first, but as soon as our parents left they began arguing over what cartoon we were going to watch. Wade wanted to watch Bugs Bunny and Tony wanted to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I didn’t care for neither of the cartoons they wanted to watch and since it was my house, I turned to Strawberry Shortcake. Both of the boys whined about how they didn’t want to watch a girly cartoon, but I didn’t care.While we sat on the floor watching cartoons, Tony began rub-bing on my hand. I wasn’t sure if that’s what kids did when they watched TV together, but I noticed he wasn’t rubbing Wade’s hand. When I moved my hand back, he reached over and started rubbing on it again. I pulled my hand away again, but this time I placed it in my lap. After Strawberry Shortcake went off Tony suggested that we go play hide and seek.“Not it,” I said before anyone else did.“Not it,” Tony shouted, leaving Wade to be the one to find us.Tony and I whispered to each other about places to hide. I told him that we could hide in the laundry room, my mom’s closet, or in my room under the bed. Tony told me that he wanted to hide in my mom’s closet and I told him I was going to hide in the laundry room. I really wanted to hide in my mother’s closet because I could cover myself with the pile of clothes that she always kept in there, but I didn’t want to hide in there. I knew that if Wade did look in there, we both would be caught.I told Wade to close his eyes and count to a hundred but being only five years old, he could only count to ten. I just told him to count until he couldn’t count any more. Wade went to the far corner of the living room and began counting. As I headed for the laundry room, Tony grabbed my arm and led me to my mother’s bedroom closet. I tried to pull away but he kept insisting that I come in there with him so I did. It was really dark in the closet when Tony shut the door so I cracked it so we could get some light. As I stood in the nearly dark closet waiting for Wade to try to find us, I couldn’t help but wonder why Tony wanted me to go in there with him. Something about him was a little weird to me but I just brushed it off.When I wasn’t paying attention, Tony snuck up on me and kissed me on my lips. My initial reaction was to slap the crap out of him but instead, I just pushed him away. I had never been kissed before and wasn’t sure if I wanted Tony to be first to do it. Tony pulled me close to him and kissed me again. When I tried to pull away he held me tighter. I stopped fighting and just let him kiss me. His lips were soft but I didn’t see what the big deal was about kissing. I heard Wade crying so I pulled away from Tony and ran to see what was wrong. Wade was standing in the living room crying because he got scared. Tony teased him for being such a crybaby. I went to the kitchen, got Wade some cookies, and calmed him down. I let Wade pick the next cartoon we watched on TV. Tony didn’t like that but I didn’t like how he picked on Wade, so he could go to hell for all I cared.Wade began drifting off to sleep about ten minutes into the show. Tony went to go change the channel but I grabbed him by the arm before he could reach the TV.“What do you think you are doing?” I said, as I yanked on Tony’s arm, pulling him down to the floor.“I’m turning the TV. I don’t want to watch this crap,” he said, as he tried to get back up to turn the TV. Again I pulled him back down, but this time I pulled him much harder than before.“Ouch! You’re going to pull my arm off. Let me go, Tiffany,” he said, trying to free him self from my grip.“No. I’m watching this so you better just sit down and watch it too. You’re not turning my TV,” I told him. Tony just looked at me and smiled.I was really beginning to think this boy was getting weirder and weirder. I let go of his arm. As soon as I did, he jumped on top of me and we began to wrestle. I wasn’t in the mood to play with him but he kept laughing and wrestling me. Eventually, I gave in and gave him a run for his money. We rolled around on the living room floor until we grew tired. Wade somehow managed to sleep through all the noise. I pushed Tony off me and sat up to catch my breath.“Hey, Tiffany, I have another game we can play,” Tony said, getting up from the floor.“What game?” I asked. I got up and went into the kitchen to fix me something to drink. Tony followed me.“I don’t know what it’s called, but I know you will like it,” he said, with a huge grin on his face.“Okay, show me,” I said, finishing the last of my juice. I placed my glass in the sink and headed back toward the living room and Tony followed.“Let’s go in the room ‘cause I don’t want to wake Wade up,” he said. He grabbed me by the hand and led me into my bedroom. Tony closed the door behind us and told me to get in my bed.“What I need to get in the bed for?” I asked him.“Because that’s where the game is played,” he said. I followed his instructions and got in the bed. Once I was in all the way he joined me. He told me to lay flat on my back and I did. Tony climbed on top of me and began rubbing his body on mine.“What are you doing?” I asked.“This is the game. I saw it on TV last night and the people seemed to really like it,” he said. He continued to move his body up and down on mine. I could feel his pee pee on my private through our clothes and it felt weird. I didn’t understand the game but since it wasn’t hurting me, I didn’t see any harm in playing.As Tony rubbed himself on me, he kissed me as he had earlier in my mother’s bedroom closet. His kiss was nice and I didn’t want him to stop. I heard my bedroom door squeak and I quickly pushed Tony off me. I thought that maybe my mother had came home early and I didn’t want her to see what we were doing. I knew he said it was only a game but I wasn’t sure if it was a game I was allowed to play.Wade walked into my bedroom rubbing his eyes. You could tell he had just woke up by how slow he was moving. Tony and I got out of the bed and led Wade back into the living room. I turned on cartoons and all three of us sat directly in front of the TV. I felt Tony watching me but I was too scared to give him eye contact. The game he had introduced me to was different and made me feel weird. I wasn’t sure what to think of it but I knew I wanted to play it again.At some point, we all fell asleep while watching cartoons. I woke up when I heard my mother’s key unlocking the door. I woke Tony and Wade up to let them know their mother was there to get them. They both grabbed their shoes and headed toward the door. My mother and I walked Ms. Yvette and her sons out to the car and said our goodbyes, then headed back into our house. Mama instructed me to go take a bath and get ready for bed. I obeyed her orders and got right to it.As I lay in bed, I began to think about the game Tony and I played. I had never seen anyone on TV play such a game and I was beginning to wonder what the purpose of the game was. Tony’s pee pee felt weird rubbing up against my privates, but it was a good weird. I had never felt anything like that before. When I wiped myself as I bathe or used the bathroom, I never got that kind of feeling. Maybe only he could make me feel that way?Saturday came again and my mother announced that Tony and Wade wouldn’t be coming over that weekend; I would be going to their house. Gathering my things, I prepared myself for the long car ride over. Ms. Yvette lived on the other side of town. My mother always teased me about falling asleep. Whenever we took long car rides I would fall asleep like I use to do when I was younger.We arrived at Ms. Yvette’s house thirty minutes later. My mother walked right into the apartment without knocking. Ms. Yvette stood in the kitchen drinking a glass of water. She wore a pretty purple dress with shoes to match. Her hair was pulled back into a neat bun with soft curls in the front.“Yvette, I’m going to go change in your bathroom, is that okay?” my mother asked. She held up her duffel bag of clothes.‘Yeah, girl, go ahead,” Ms. Yvette told her. Mama went into the bathroom to get dressed.Tony and Wade sat on the living room floor in front of the TV. I took a seat on the floor next to Tony and put my bag filled with dolls next to me. Ms. Yvette brought us some snacks to eat while we watched cartoons.“Now don’t make a mess ‘cause I just vacuumed the floorearlier,” she said.“Yes ma’am,” we all said in unison.There was a knock at the door and Ms. Yvette went to answer it. When she opened the door, two men entered and she told them to take a seat at the dining room table.My mother came out of the bathroom looking like a movie star. She wore a tight, black dress with black and gold heels. Her make- up and hair was flawless. She had twisted it into a neat French roll with spirals in the front. Just the day before she’d gotten her nails manicured. They were painted red with black rhinestones and her toes matched. My mother was fierce and no one could tell her otherwise.One of the men at the table said, “Damn, you look good enough to eat!”The other guy sitting next to him burst out laughing. I really didn’t understand what was so funny. If that man dared try to eat my mother I was going to kick him in his knees.My mother politely smiled, walked over to him, and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek. The men rose from the table and walked toward the door. My mother and Ms. Yvette followed. Before Ms. Yvette closed the door she stopped and looked back at us.“There’s some fried chicken in the kitchen if ya’ll get hungry. Don’t answer the door for anyone, not even the police, you hear me?”“Yes ma’am,” we said in unison again. Ms. Yvette blew her boys some kisses and closed the door behind her.Once our parents left, Tony suggested we go into their room so that we could play video games. Wade was the first to hop up and run in the room. We entered the room more slowly. Tony and I sat on the bed and Wade sat on the floor. Tony took his cover from behind us and put it on our laps. I wasn’t cold and wasn’t sure why we needed cover, but I let it stay. As Wade started to play the video game, I watched as Tony rubbed on my thigh. I nervously looked over at Wade. He didn’t see anything that Tony was doing because he was so into the game. Tony continued to rub on my leg for a while.“I have to use the bathroom,” Tony said. He removed the cover and stood up. He left the room, heading in the direction of the bathroom.After Tony didn’t come back for a while I went in search of him. I wondered what was taking him so long. When I opened the bathroom door Tony grabbed me and pulled me in.“Hey, what’s going on?” I said, slightly startled.“Nothing, I’ve been waiting for you. I knew you would come looking for me sooner or later,” he said, closing and locking the door behind me.“Well, yeah I did. You were taking forever. I came looking to see if you fell in the toilet or something,” I said, knowing that wasn’t the real reason I went looking for him. I wanted to play the game again.“Come here,” he said, holding his arms out. I walked into his arms and he wrapped them around me, and kissed me. This time, he put his tongue in my mouth so I backed away.“Why did you put your tongue in my mouth? That’s gross,” I said, while wiping my lips.“That’s what the people were doing on TV. What’s wrong? You didn’t like it?” he asked.“No, it was nasty. I don’t want your tongue in my mouth. Are you crazy?” I said with a look of disgust on my face. I knew the boy was weird but that took the cake.“Come on, Tiffany, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again,” he promised. He walked towards me. Before he reached me we heard a knock on the door.“Hey, what are ya’ll doing in there? I have to pee really bad,” Wade said from outside the door. I quickly opened the door letting him in.Tony and I gave him his privacy and went back into the bedroom. I hopped on the bed and Tony did the same. He reached on the floor and picked up the cover we had on our laps earlier and covered us again. Wade came back from the bathroom and sat in front of the TV. He didn’t waste any time before he started playing video games again. Tony continued to rub on my thigh under the cover without Wade noticing.By the time our parents came back that night we were already asleep in the boys’ room. My mother woke me up and told me to get my things so that we could go home. I grabbed my book bag full of dolls and my sandals and headed out the room. I looked back and saw Wade asleep in front of the video game while it was still on. Tony was lying on the floor next to him under the cover that he had used earlier to rub on my thigh. Half asleep, I walked to the door as my mother and Ms. Yvette said their goodbyes. I hopped in the backseat of the car and lay down to go to sleep on the long ride home.For the next three years I spent time with Tony and Wade while our parents hung out. Tony and I continued to play our game. At some point, I found out that what we were doing was called “hunching”. Whenever we were alone, we would start to kiss one another and hunch. We hunched outside, in my mother’s room, in Ms. Yvette’s room, and in the laundry room of my house.On one occasion in particular, Tony told me that he wanted to hunch but this time he wanted to do it differently. Tony told me how he had been watching some movies on TV late at night. He said the men and women in the movies didn’t have any clothes. He said we shouldn’t wear any either. I went along with it. Tony and I got undressed but left on our underwear. Pressing up against him, I could feel his pee pee getting hard as it rubbed up against my private area. It wasn’t the first time that I felt his pee pee, but it felt much different than before. I guess since we didn’t have the layers of clothes between us I could really feel him. I liked the way his pee pee felt on my private so much that I didn’t want him to stop, but we knew Wade would be coming in from outside at any moment so we quickly got dressed.Tony told me that the next time we hunched that he wanted to do it completely naked. I was nervous because I knew how good it felt when we just had on our underwear, so being completely naked had to be even better.Since Tony watched people on TV doing the things he did to me, I was curious to see for myself. Late at night, when my mother was out with one of her men friends, I found a sex channel on TV. I watched men and women having sex with each other. There were also women having sex with other women, too. As I watched the two women together, it made me feel really good. They both looked as if they really enjoyed each other. Some of the things they did grossed me out, but I couldn’t stop watching it. At the end of every scene the people would make a really loud noise and would get an ugly look on their face. For some reason, that was funny to me. There was no way I was going to look as silly as they did so I knew I had to practice because I didn’t want Tony picking on me.After watching the sex shows on TV, I practiced how I would groan when Tony and I hunched again. I wanted to really get it right so I grinded on the pillows from my bed. I couldn’t get that feeling in my private like I would get when Tony rubbed his pee pee on me. I needed something firm that I could hunch on so I decided to get the pillows off the couch in the living room. Those pillows had hard edges and I knew it would do the job. Taking the hard end of the pillow, I rubbed it up against my private area. I kept rubbing it until I felt an explosion inside my stomach. I had never felt anything like that before, not even with Tony. I knew what I felt was what the people on TV had felt when they were groaning and screaming.For months I continued to use the pillows to make myself get the good feeling. I used the pillows so much that the end began to get soft and they weren’t doing the job anymore. I knew I had to figure out something else before I lost my mind. I desperately needed that good feeling.One day while I was in the bathroom, the toilet seat lid came off and I noticed that the two pieces that snapped the lid on the toilet were hard. I began to think about the hard ends on the toilet seat, how I could put something soft over them and use that to rub up against myself so I could get that feeling again.I took the lid off and lay it on the bathroom floor. I ran into my room, took a pillow off my bed, and returned to the bathroom. I placed the pillow over the lid and positioning my private part on the hard piece of the lid as I lay on my stomach. The pillow was to keep the rough part of the lid from hurting me. In an up and down motion, I rubbed my private part on the pillow that was over the lid until I had that good feeling that I liked so much. Afterwards, I lay on the bathroom floor until the feeling left.After a while, I couldn’t use the toilet seat anymore because it started to hurt my private. I would also get sore because I used it too much. Not being able to use the pillows or the toilet seat, I started using my hands. Taking all my fingers, I rubbed in a circular motion until I got that good feeling. I would stay up late at night and watch sex movies on TV while rubbing my private parts until I got that good feeling. When I watched the movies I focused really hard on the women’s bodies. I liked to look at their breasts and private areas. I liked to watch the women strippers on the adult channel as they took off their clothes. If I wasn’t watching the movies I wasn’t able to get that good feeling as quick as I would when I did watch them.Tony and I never hunched again and my mother and Ms. Yvette saw each other less and less. Ms. Yvette ended up getting engaged to a man she met at the bar and didn’t hang out with my mother anymore.For months I used my hands to get that good feeling. It became obvious to me that it was something I needed, because I couldn’t stop. I began to think that something was wrong with me. Sitting in my room at night, I would cry because I feared that I was going to go to hell. I knew the feeling had something to do with sex. I thought I was the only person that had this feeling. Something about it had to be wrong.Whenever I went to church on Sundays with my mom, I made sure that I stayed away from the pastor. I didn’t want to get close to him. I felt that somehow, he would know about the feeling that I was having and would go around telling everybody. Knowing that I would probably go to hell for having this feeling, I couldn’t risk anyone else finding out about it.I kept my head down most of the time while I was in church. I didn’t want other people to look into my eyes and be able to tell what I was thinking. I thought they’d figure out what I was doing when I wasn’t in church. My mother would kill me if she ever found out.Every night I prayed that God would make me stop but I just couldn’t. I often wondered what was wrong with me. Was the devil making me do it or was what I was doing even a sin?

Marriage - The First Ministry

Posted by Dr.Glyniel Garner on April 15, 2009 at 3:30pm

Marriage – The First MinistryStatistics reveal that about 45 – 50 percent of all marriages will eventually end in divorce. These numbers are staggering to say the least. These numbers include Christian marriages as well.Why are these numbers so high? The answer: marriages have stopped being a priority in the lives of many busy couples.Work, children, and social activities have been substituted for the number one ministry between a man and a woman - that is the ministry of marriage.What is ministry? Ministry is from the Greek word "diakoneo", meaning "to serve" or "douleuo", meaning "to serve as a slave". In the New Testament, ministry is seen as a service to God and to other people in His name. Jesus provided the blueprint for the pattern of Christian ministry – He came, not to receive service, but to give service (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 13:1-17)In marriage, couples are to minister by meeting the other's needs with love and humility on Christ's behalf (Matthew 20:26; Mark 10:43; John 2:5,9; Acts 6:3; Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Colossians 4:12).When we think of ministry, we think of the minister or the pastor of a church or the different functioning organizations within the church. As married couples, it is our obligation to be the minister in our spouse's life.Counseling and Life Coaching are wonderful tools to assist couples and individuals who are in desperate need of these services and are very much necessary for the help they provide. If couples would not only think of themselves as just husbands and wives but think of themselves as ministers to their spouses, the counseling load would not be as great. Ministering to your spouse can and should include ministering to the physical, emotional, mental, vocational, and financial needs of the other.Marriages today have become self-centered when the marriage is no longer two people being one, but two people remaining as two. My money, your money, my car, your car – couples are living more separate and divided lives within the same home. Today solid and happy homes are becoming a thing of the past. There are no more Ozzie and Harriet's, Leave It to Beaver's or Father Knows Best households. In these homes husbands and wives were both in the home, fathers took the roles of headship, provider, mentor and the disciplinarian in the home, and fathers were looked up to as the children's hero, not an action figure on television. Wives could be at home to raise the children and not rely on daycare to nurture and care for the family. In these homes, husbands and wives were the staple of the family and took active roles in the lives of their children and their communities. Times have changed so drastically. Today there are one parent households, children being raised by television, the drop out rate for high school students is at an all time high, and a major part of the criminal activities in our society are committed by our youth.The Cosby Show tried to depict a solid family image to American families and some did not buy this as reality, especially for the African American community.I can think of couples who were happily married five years ago, who today are no longer married or are now living emotionally divorced and living separated lives within the home. Marriage is the foundation to a great family life and God's greatest tool for ministry.Great marriages with their priorities in order depend on these elements to remain fortified: honesty, communication, commitment, and sacrifice. Placing our spouse as our first priority will produce true prosperity in our homes. There will be nothing missing, nothing lacking and nothing broken.The Bible speaks of several action verbs in Genesis 2:24 which models some priorities in marriage. The first verb is to "leave". Man is to leave his mother and father and to establish a new beginning with his wife. The second verb is to "cleave". Man is to leave his mother and father and to cleave to his wife. Cleave means to weld together or stick to like glue.Marriage is not only a priority- it is preeminent. It is superior to, and surpassing above all other human relationships. Husband and wife are to be bound together and should not be cut apart. The third verb in this passage of scripture is the verb "be". First, man is to leave then to cleave and to be one flesh. Becoming one is more than being physically one, but also psychologically one which is communication.Most marriages break down for a lack of communication with their spouse. The lack of attention and communication will eventually result in both parties involved to struggle, which will finally cause a break down in the home. Couples must stay committed to the vows they took on their wedding day before the Lord, to be committed "for better or for worse". There will be difficult times in the marriage and that is not the opportunity for the husband or the wife to bail out of the marriage. We are to stick it out and give that situation over to God. Be committed in "for richer or poorer". In these tough economic times that we are facing, when some are just getting by, when the prices are high and the paychecks are low, commitment is essential. Lastly, be committed in "sickness and in health". We do not know what challenges or sickness either spouse may face in the life of the marriage. We are to continue to love and to cherish our mate til death does part us.Ministry can and should be carried out daily in our lives with our spouses. God set the example of how much He loved us that He gave His only begotten Son to come to earth and die on a cross for us. It was God's priority to send us a Savior. We in turn, are to love and meet the needs of our spouse as a priority, setting the example in our marriages and sharing our love just as God has done for us.by Glyniel GarnerGlyniel Garner is a Professional Certified Life Coach, Board Certified Biblical Counselor and Certified Marriage Mentor. She is the founder of New Horizon Coaching Associates in Ocala, Florida. Glyniel can be reached at www.ourchurch.com/member/n/nhca www.myspace.com/newhorizoncoaching

Business & Book Advertisment/Free Advertisment!

Posted by Dominique on April 15, 2009 at 2:53pm

Check out From A Writers POV advertisement packages and get your business and/or events noticed. http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/advertisementinfo.htmIf you have a book coming out in early 2010, reserve your spot today for an interview the month your book comes out! http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/onebookadvertisement.htmWe are still looking to give away FREE Advertisement! Find out how here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/newslinks.htm*New Weekly Feature by Robert T SellsWe are celebrating our Two Week Weekly Features Check them out: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/apps/blog/-------------------------------------------New this Week!New Articles www.fromawriterspovarticles.webs.comNew Book Ad with Belinda HoodNew Writing Event "Spring Challenge" Check out this week's writer!Take our survey's http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/magazinesurvey.htmFrom A Writers POV has been transformed! Log in today to see the new magazine!

Spring is Here! Invest For Your Nest!

Posted by Annetta Powell on April 15, 2009 at 12:30pm

Spring is strongly approaching and now is the time to invest for your nest! Haveyou been deciding all winter about what to do with your financial future? Wellspring has arrived and it’s time to make some decisions regarding your familyand finances. You’ve seen countless TV ads and commercials letting you know thathomes are springing up for sale all over the country. The prices are jawdropping! Doesn’t this make you want to invest for your nest?!

As you’re sitting in front of your TV watching your favorite program, you haveto wonder what it would be like if you could escape all of your financial drama.You’ve probably sat there wondering what you could do to put yourself on theroad to earning endless amounts of cash. Starting a career as a Real Estateinvestor could be the answer for you! If you are living paycheck to paycheck andhave no idea how you’re going to survive this economic crisis, now is the timeto start thinking about being your own boss and stepping out on faith. Spring isHere! Invest for your nest!

I realize that everyone doesn’t have the power to sell Real Estate but nothingbeats a failure but a try. You will never know what’s out there for you unlessyou take the necessary steps to become educated and do it. The idea is to thinkoutside the box. There are countless Real Estate investors who never thoughtthat they would be able to climb their way to financial freedom until they triedit. Owning a home is a great investment. Being able to fix and flip homes for aprofit is not only a great way to build wealth but it’s a great way to buildstability and character. Having the right attitude and a keen business sensewill take you far in developing your Real Estate business. Don’t let life passyou by! Spring is here! Invest for your nest!

No one wants to think about getting old and not being able to enjoy life. Beingable to provide for your family is the single most important priority in life.It is time to take action. Get started on your Real Estate dream. Don’t worry ifyou don’t have perfect credit or a massive amount of cash in the bank. There areways to fund your dream. Talking with an experienced Real Estate professionalcan help you get started. Don’t wait around and let your dreams slip away.Spring is here! Invest for your nest!

Take the first step toward building your dreams! With my free seminar, you canand will learn about how to purchase your first property. Join my freenetworking site at www.cashinonforeclosuresnetwork.com. To register, visit my website www.cashinonforeclosures.com or call 866-758-3555 to attend the FREE Training Seminar to uncover the truth about becoming successful in Real Estate investing.

Sincerely,
Annetta Powell
Queen of Real Estate

Shhh! It's a Secret to Success

Posted by Paradise on April 15, 2009 at 11:05am

Shhh! It's a Secret to SuccessThe legendary Earl Nightingale spent 17 years on a quest to answer one question: What makes the difference? He wanted to discover why some people are financially well off while others are poor.His mother, Gladys Nightingale, encouraged him to read. "Knowledge is everything; everything you want to know has been written down by someone," she told him. In 1950, at the age of 29, he found the answer he was seeking in Napoleon Hill's book, Think and Grow Rich. It was six simple words: We become what we think about.To become what you think about, take Nightingale's 30-day test. It could change your life:1. Write on a card what you want more than anything. Make sure it is a single goal and it is clearly defined.2. Don't show it to anyone, but carry it with you so you can look at it several times a day.3. Think about it in a cheerful, relaxed and positive way each morning when you wake up.4. Look at it before you go to bed at night. As you look at it, remember you must become what you think about.5. Now comes the difficult part: Stop thinking about what it is you fear. Each time a fearful or negative thought comes into your consciousness, replace it with a mental picture of your positive and worthwhile goal.6. Each day of this 30-day test, do more than you have to do.7. Take control of your mind, knowing your returns will be in direct proportion to what you give.Submitted by NBWEN member, Ms. Teri Robinson, http://nbwenorg.ning.com/profile/TeriRobinson

Announcing the Seven Winds Virtual Assistance Newsletter

Posted by Larissa Parks on April 15, 2009 at 4:02am

Hello Everyone!It was a pleasure to meet so many wonderful and talented women of color on the "What's Working Now" webinar provided by the Business Women of Color Coaching Program today.Powerful and Inspirational! Many of you have reached out and I welcome the love. I invite you to sign up for my Newsletter at: http://www.sevenwindsva.netA majority of you want to know the following:How can I become a Virtual Assistant?How can I improve my Virtual Assistant business?What tools and systems can I utilize to improve my business IF I'm NOT a Virtual Assistant?I would like to learn from you Larissa, how can I go about doing that?I would love to have a mentor, are you available?I want to partner with you as my Virtual Assistant, what's the next step?For tips, news and updates I invite you to sign up for my Newsletter at http://www.sevenwindsva.netYou will have FIRST access to all of the new updates in order to help take your business and personal life to the next level. Please feel free to reserve an appointment with me through my website if I can be of further assistance.Seven Winds Virtual Assistance, LLC has many new exciting and upcoming products and services to enhance your life.Live life without limits!

Stand

Posted by Joneen Horton on April 15, 2009 at 4:00am

You know, once God has said something-it is settled. You may see, hear or feel as if the Word of God will not come to pass, but those are the times to immerse yourself in His Word and stand. People are always “taking a stand” for something. I’m going to “take a stand” for God’s Word cause that truly is something worth standing for.How do you keep yourself focused on God's Word when life is raging around you?You can read and comment on more posts here: My Life as a Divine Image.

The Pocketbook Monologues - April 25, Atlanta GA

Posted by Divasunlimited on April 15, 2009 at 2:40am

Hailed by many as “The Vagina Monologues with Soul,” The Pocketbook Monologues is already playing to sold-out houses in New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Milwaukee.The PocketBook Monologues opens to critical acclaim during their sold out performance at Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago"~ Rolling Out MagazineA fun, provocative, and entertaining dialogue with an award winning cast, these ladies are raising the curtain to talk about the POCKETBOOK, the label black women affectionately describe as the triangle between their thighs."Finally, women of color are telling their own stories about sexuality."~ Chicago Tribune Hailed by many as “The Vagina Monologues with Soul,” The Pocketbook Monologues is already playing to sold-out houses in New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Milwaukee.The PocketBook Monologues opens to critical acclaim during their sold out performance at Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago"~ Rolling Out MagazineA fun, provocative, and entertaining dialogue with an award winning cast, these ladies are raising the curtain to talk about the POCKETBOOK, the label black women affectionately describe as the triangle between their thighs."Finally, women of color are telling their own stories about sexuality."~ Chicago Tribune Image Hosting by PictureTrail.com

Come Check out the All Star CastSTARRING:Sharon K. McGhee, Ella Joyce, Essence Atkins, Taj Johnson George, Shirley Strawberry, Kandi Burruss, Lisa Wu Hartwell, Shay "Buckeey" Johnson, Nicci Gilbert and Myra JFor More Info visit www.pocketbooktour.com or www.divasunlimited.com

The Pocketbook Monologues - April 25, Atlanta GA

Posted by Divasunlimited on April 15, 2009 at 2:38am

Hailed by many as “The Vagina Monologues with Soul,” The Pocketbook Monologues is already playing to sold-out houses in New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Milwaukee.The PocketBook Monologues opens to critical acclaim during their sold out performance at Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago"~ Rolling Out MagazineA fun, provocative, and entertaining dialogue with an award winning cast, these ladies are raising the curtain to talk about the POCKETBOOK, the label black women affectionately describe as the triangle between their thighs."Finally, women of color are telling their own stories about sexuality."~ Chicago Tribune Hailed by many as “The Vagina Monologues with Soul,” The Pocketbook Monologues is already playing to sold-out houses in New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Milwaukee.The PocketBook Monologues opens to critical acclaim during their sold out performance at Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago"~ Rolling Out MagazineA fun, provocative, and entertaining dialogue with an award winning cast, these ladies are raising the curtain to talk about the POCKETBOOK, the label black women affectionately describe as the triangle between their thighs."Finally, women of color are telling their own stories about sexuality."~ Chicago Tribune Image Hosting by PictureTrail.com

Come Check out the All Star CastSTARRING:Sharon K. McGhee, Ella Joyce, Essence Atkins, Taj Johnson George, Shirley Strawberry, Kandi Burruss, Lisa Wu Hartwell, Shay "Buckeey" Johnson, Nicci Gilbert and Myra JFor More Info visit www.pocketbooktour.com or www.divasunlimited.com

ATTENTION: BUSINESS OWNERS

Posted by Sonjia C. Gales, CAM, CAPS on April 15, 2009 at 2:00am

ATTENTION: BUSINESS OWNERS New OPPS for Marketing and Promotions in the Atlanta Metro Area. Come on take advantage of free and professional online advertisement.Atlanta Home Life OnlineAtlanta Offers A Bit Of Everything and Southern Charm.Looking for more than what you hear and see everyday? This site is an opportunityfor you to explore the Atlanta metro area. Information from North to South, County toCounty can be found here at Atlanta Home Life.Enjoy Rich History, Culture, Nightlife, Community and Networking:NOW OFFERING AD space...........

FREE FOR YOU!

Posted by Tracye Cooper on April 14, 2009 at 9:57pm

Get ‘em while they’re hot! Free brand name shoes with every purchase of $20 or more. Perfect for Spring and Summer outfits. There is no better way to complete baby’s ensemble than a pair of matching shoes for that adorable outfit- and they’re free! For a limited time and while supplies last, The Bitty Baby Shop is offering a free pair of shoes with each qualifying purchase at www.bittybabyshop.com Stretch your dollar in these challenging times by getting a free pair of brand name infant shoes at The Bitty Baby Shop . Look for shoes for girls and boys, newborns and infants, dressy and casual- all soft soles and ooh so comfy! Here are just three different styles. You will find more adorable, free crib shoes at www.bittybabyshop.com .

Your Trip to the Grocery Store- Health and Wellness Tip

Posted by Debbi Soul Purpose Lady on April 14, 2009 at 9:36pm

I’m talking about your grocery store. On your next trip, be prepared to fight back against the tactics most supermarket chains use to get you to spend more money on "extras" that you don't really need—tactics that affect your wallet and your health.You’re on your weekly grocery trip. You’ve got your list in hand, and you're ready to purchase the items you need for your healthy, preplanned meals. You walk through the supermarket doors and…oh! Look at the Fourth of July decorations! Visions of cookouts, party favors and kids with sparklers are now dancing through your head. You hang around the display, pick up a "two-for" deal on red, white and blue wrapped chocolates, and grab streamers and balloons because your sister-in-law might have forgotten supplies to jazz up the kids table for the party next week. 2,549 calories and at least $10 unplanned dollars later, you’ve been the victim of a grocery store plot.Distractions at the grocery store happen, and that's no accident. Strategic product placements purposely distract you from your well-intended list and entice you to purchase those little extras. Supermarket chains spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to know exactly how, where, when, and why you shop. They use this information to get you to linger longer, fill your basket—make that your cart—to the brim, and spend more of your hard-earned cash than you intended to spend. But your grocer may be hurting more than just your wallet with these marketing maneuvers.St. Louis Empowerment Networkwww.stlenetworking.comhttp://debsoulpurpose.youngevityonline.comDebbi Patrick, CEO and Founder314-332-0985

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Note: this page contains paid content.