TM
May 2012 Volume 11
15 TRICKS TO
SLEEPING
BETTER
Bring the
WOW to your
Mother’s Day Celebration
A M
OTHERS
MIR
ACLE !
GET YOUR BUCKET LIST TOGETHER
TRAVELING TO FIND
HIDDEN TREASURES
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Be Blessed,
Roxanne
Dear Reader,
.I hope you and your family celebrate a wonderful Mothers day with your mom,granma or
aunts. Celebrate a woman in your life that has poured wisdom and love into your life. They don't
have to be connected to you by blood as long as they are connected by LOVE. Mothers day was
designed to celebrate mothers and mother figures. Its not about what you buy or where you take
her to for dinner. If you would just ask her I am sure she would tell you that YOU matter the most
to her. You make her a mother.
I was watching TV and saw a beautiful commercial by Hallmark celebrating Mothers day. The
things that the mothers were stating they wanted were not material things. It was relationship.
Mothers want to continue to have relationship with their children, even after they are grown and
moved away. Remember to call us. Remember we like to laugh too. Email us a joke or two.
Remember we like surprises. We like to hear momma when everything is calm not in an uproar.
Call us just because. Even if we don’t say it ,we miss you more than you think.
Mothers are special. They are an invaluable resource that we sometimes never fully appreciate
until they are gone. Don’t just wait for one day out of the year to let your Mom know she is yours.
HAVE A HAPPY AND BLESSED MOTHERS DAY
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2 Editors Perspective 3 Contents 4 Meet Our Cover Girl 6 Dating Rules Pt 2 8 Through God’s Grace I am a MOM!! 10 The Curse 11 Tantalize your Taste buds 12 Poetry & Prose 14 Making Your Bucket List Now
16 Mothers Day “WOW” Factor 18 Hidden Treasures 20 Celebrating Mothers 21 Poetry and Prose 23 So You Want To Be A Model 24Movie Mania 26 15 Steps To Sleeping Better 28 Contact Us
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Meet Mandy Frank
I am a plus size model;
I am fleshy, rotund ,flirtatious,
luscious, sexy, husky, cuddly, hot, provocative,
risqué, sensual, spicy, voluptuous
and so much more. I am beautiful,
I am a real woman. I do not resemble any of the
woman who strike the cover of the
Victoria’s secret catalog, Maxim, or Cosmopolitan;
and I never will. I am a plus size woman
and I am proud of my size 18 curves.
I have a lot of confidence and
I am very comfortable in my own skin;
it took many years
to get where I am today,
I am proud of who I am and who I have become.
In thewords of Nicki Minaj, “ I’m fighting for the girls
that never thought they could win;
cause before they could begin you told them
it was the end, but I am here to reverse
the curse they they live in.”
My goal is to show the world natural doesn’t mean skinny,
beauty isn’t the same as slim;
being comfortable in your own skin, looking yourself in
the mirror and being happy with your reflection, walking with your head high and a
smile on your face is beautiful, regardless of your size, shape, height or weight. I
want Mandy Frank to become a household name; if it never happens, that’s fine by
me, I know I gave it my all and I have come this far to stop; there is no turning back
at this point.
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Last month you learned the Sassy’s 1st rule to
dating and that was to – Always Say What You
Mean. This month we will review Always Mean
What You Say.
Sassy’s 2nd Rule for Dating”
Rule # 2 Always Mean What You Say
One cannot say one thing and then back-
track to mean another. This is a vital aspect of
life. How many times have we heard people say
one thing but then they mean another? Too
many times to count, and because no one holds
their feet to the fire on their words they con-
tinue to do the same things over and over
again. It’s what they say the definition of crazy
is…doing the same things over and over and
expecting a different result.
This is no different in the dating world.
How can a woman tell a man that she does not
sleep with men on the first date, and yet on the
first date she sleeps with him? The excuse for
her would be that the “vibe” was right. At that
point she has shown to this man that she says
one thing, but doesn’t really mean it. She can
be easily persuaded and/or manipulated to con-
form to his wants, his needs, and his desires.
She most likely, and in all probability, had no
intentions of sleeping with him because it was
the first date. But here is the thing; the conver-
sation was flowing as were the drinks. And this
is where she may have let her guard down and
the next thing you know, she is prone on his
bed, with her blouse pushed up to her shoul-
ders. Let’s face facts, there is a societal stigma
attached to all women whom sleep with men on
the first date. I have heard a lot of men say that
a woman that sleeps with a man on the first
date is a woman that knows her mind. That
right there is a bunch of bull, it’s a woman that
may know her mind, but it also shows a woman
that doesn’t know the man. After she sleeps
with him is when she will make the attempt to
get to know him and at that point, what’s the
point. He has gotten what he wanted from her.
Yes, I know that this is not always the case, and
that there are some unions that are still to-
gether now after having slept with one another
on the first date, but that is the exception, not
the rule.
Sassy Scribe AKA Saundra Harris
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Have you ever wondered what motivates a fat
girl to stay positive in a "pro skinny girl society"?
“What Every Fat Girl Wants “will answer those
questions
once and for all.
You will laugh and you
might cry
but you will hear the
truth from
a fat girl’s perspective.
Available at www.whateveryfatgirlwants.com , www.amazon.com , www.smashwords.com
Available in print and as an eBook for your Nook and Kindle.
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Shannon & Kenneth Watkins of Cumberland, Md., tried for many years to have a baby.
After several procedures at the WVU Center for Reproductive Medicine they were preg-
nant with twins! But things didn't go as planned. Still, the Watkins are grateful for the
care and kindness they received at WVU Healthcare in their darkest and brightest hours.
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WEFGW: We are so excited for you and your blessing,
SHANNON: Yes I have always wanted to be a mom. I really wanted to have lots of kids.
Due to complications I had to have 5 procedures to become pregnant. I had a procedure
called an IVF. From one of those procedures we were able to save several embryos. From
those frozen embryos I had a embryo transfer and became impregnated with my twins.
WEFGW: We understand that your babies were born premature.
SHANNON: I was suppose to be on bed rest for 11 weeks. I became real sick and found
out that my son was not doing well in the womb. He had stopped moving and there was
no blood flow. We soon learned that my son had died.
WEFGW: Did this effect the other twin.?
SHANNON: Both babies were born 11 weeks early. My son was still born but my daughter
was alive and struggling to hold on. We named he Shekinah . Which is an Hebrew word for
the glory of God .The staff here at the WVU Children's Hospital are very caring and com-
forting
WEFGW: How is Shekinah doing now?
SHANNON: She is improving every day. She is gaining weight. We are so thankful to God
for our beautiful daughter. Because of God’s Grace I am now a mother.
Want To see full interview of Shannon’s miracle
follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvcSytkWz3Q&feature=youtu.be
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The Curse Curse [kurs] noun, verb, cursed or curst, curs·ing.
noun 1. the expression of a wish that misfortune, evil, doom, etc., befall a person, group, etc.
2. a formula or charm intended to cause such misfortune to another. 3. the act of reciting such a formula.
4. a profane oath; curse word. 5. an evil that has been invoked upon one.
We all know and love the famous fairy tale
curses such as Sleeping Beauty falling asleep for
100 years, Snow White is poisoned by an apple,
Beast was placed under a spell because of his
failure to love, or Fiona:
"By night one way
By day another.
This shall be the norm
Until you find true love's first kiss
And then take love's true form"
But, how much do you know about sports
curses? More specifically, sports teams’ curses?
Have you heard of the Curse of the Bambino or
the Curse of the Billy goat or The Sports Illus-
trated Cover Curse? If not, don’t despair, I will
share some of the most popular sports curses.
As I was doing my research for this article,
ironically, it seems, a lot of curses are baseball
related. So, let’s start there.
The Curse of the Bambino relates to the sell of
Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox to the New
York Yankees in 1920. From 1912-1918 (7
years of baseball), the Red Sox had won 4
championships. After they sold “The Babe,” the
Red Sox went a long 96 years without another
championship (2004), while the Yankees racked
up 26 championships in the same amount of
time.
The curse of the Billy Goat has been haunting
the Chicago Cubs championship hopes since the
postseason of 1945 when Billy Sianis and his
billy goat were asked to leave a World Series
game at Wrigley Field. When Billy left the sta-
dium, he declared the Cubs would win no more.
The Cubs as well as fans and family of Billy
Sianis have all tried to reverse the curse, to no
avail. The Cubs have not won a championship
since 1908.
The Sports Illustrated (SI) Cover curse has a lot
of superstars fearing to be on their cover.
There are some eerie coincidences of mishaps
after people have been featured on their cover.
Some of those recent “jinxes” are:
Albert Pujols, the home run king for the St Louis
Cardinals, was featured after starting his new
job with the Angels after being traded from the
Cardinals; he has yet to hit a home run this sea-
son.
Tom Brady, the quarterback for the New Eng-
land Patriots, suffered a terrible season ending
knee injury just days after appearing on their
cover in 2008.
Just days after Nomar Garciaparra was featured,
taking note of his off-season conditioning, he
broke his wrist and ended his season.
Other similar curses to the SI cover curse are
the NFL Madden Curse (video games) and the
Gillette (safety razors) curse, where after stars
are featured they soon have setbacks such as
injuries, games lost, and bad seasons.
They really are just fairy tales, aren’t they!
Sara Hughes
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Citrus Salad With Honey and Mint
INGREDIENTS 1 grapefruit
1 navel orange
2 teaspoons honey
4 small sprigs fresh mint
Directions
With a knife, cut away the peel and white pith of the grapefruit and orange and slice the fruit into rounds.
Arrange the slices on individual plates. Drizzle with the honey and top with the mint.
By Kate Merker, March 2008
Quick Tip You can cut the peel and pith up to 12 hours
in advance. Keep in the refrigerator in a
SEALED CONTAINER UNTIL READY TO SLICE
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Look Up!
I WILL, lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, WHICH MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH. PSALM 121:1, 2
In this journey of life , we have our good days and our bad days. I pray that there are many of you who have more good than bad days. Some of us need doors open ,and some may need doors closed with the keys thrown far away!
The LORD is always with you! Even when you can not see or feel Him anywhere! The LORD has already worked things out for you.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6
We must continue to trust God in this journey.
When things get rough get tough and pray!
Lift your eyes up to the hills! Our help comes from God! Lift your eyes up!! Hold your head up!! My help comes from the LORD! I will trust Him! I will not give up! I may fall down or trip, but the LORD will lift me UP! Glory to God!
I'm trusting in the one who has made HEAVEN and EARTH!
He is God Almight ! He has all power in His hands. God is in control of our lives. Stay focus on Him and trust Him!
Look Up to the hills and call on God! Look Up!
Have a safe and bless month of May!
Blossom & Bloom!! Go forward , don't look back ! Hold on to your dreams and work it! God bless you all
Pastor Nannie German Madison , NJ
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Contact Destynee Travel for additional info
and to book your room Finding A Way 2 Your Purpose~ Rona Walton, Travel Designer
Destynee Travel
512-524-3874/o 512-524-3875/f www.destynee.com
Follow this link to reserve your cabin on line. STC
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Why Not Get Your
Bucket List Together
You probably first heard of a "bucket list" (a list
of things you want to do before you die) after
watching the movie, "The Bucket List" with Jack
Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Wouldn't it be
nice to have your own bucket list?
If you've been putting it off, maybe now is the
time to put pen to paper (or use your computer)
and start your list. Doing the things you've al-
ways wanted to do, but never got around to,
can be incredibly fulfilling!
Inspiration for Generating Your
Own Bucket List
Let your mind go. Give yourself the freedom
to think about all the things you've always
dreamed of doing. Then write them down.
Take a look at these sample bucket list items to
find inspiration for your own list of things to ful-
fill before you "kick the bucket."
Travel to Tuscany to take cooking lessons.
Learn how to knit or do woodcarving.
Re-read, "War and Peace" and "Great Expecta-
tions."
Volunteer for a mission in Haiti.
Go a whole week without television.
Take your sister on a surprise trip.
Go to a musical on Broadway in New York City.
Give a $50 bill to someone who looks like they
need it on Christmas Eve.
Tell your high school English teacher how he
made a major impact on your life.
Write a letter to a soldier.
Hike at least part of the Appalachian Trail in the
U.S.
Visit all the state capitals in your country.
Learn the Japanese language.
Camp out overnight in the back yard with your
children.
Fly first class just once.
Get down to your goal weight to see what it
feels like.
Take a vacation alone to a place you've always
wanted to go.
Go on a road trip with your family.
Spend a week at a health spa.
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Go vegan for a month.
Cook every recipe in your favorite cookbook.
Take those guitar lessons you've always wanted
to get around to.
Walk 2 miles a day five days a week for three
months.
Learn to operate a sailboat and then go sailing.
Tell your brother he's the best brother in the
whole world.
Free yourself to daydream. Include your great-
est fantasies. Think about what you've always
wanted to do - take trips to your favorite desti-
nations, experience something you've only read
about, or accomplish something of substance in
your life.
Fulfilling the Items on
Your Bucket List
After you've made the list, the only thing to do
is go for it. Each week or month, strive to
carry out an item on your Bucket List.
Then, cross it off your list. You can add to your
list as you think of other activities you'd like to
do before you're no longer on this earth.
There's nothing like a bucket list to re-
mind you what it's like to really experi-
ence everything life has to offer. You'll be-
come infused with energy and excitement at the
idea of achieving another activity on your
bucket list. And you'll go through experiences
that you never thought you would, just by hav-
ing a bucket list.
Start your bucket list today. Doing the
things you've always wanted to do will inspire
you to live your very best life. With your bucket
list, you might be compelled to discover an exis-
tence you've only fantasized about.
Known for a contagious passion for excellence,
a talent for practical business solutions, and a
competence for being a motivational leader,
Lorene Collier Purcy, is professional speaker,
entrepreneur & lifestyle prosperity coach, a con-
tributing author to (2) newly released books
“The Power of Change: Reinventing Yourself at
Any Age” & “How to Break the Glass Ceiling
Without a Hammer: Career Strategies for
Women”. Whether its life balance or financial
management strategies, Lorene has been help-
ing individuals realize their true potential and
acts as their accountability partner, assisting
them on how to effectively implement strategies
to live the life they truly deserve. You can con-
tact Lorene at [email protected] or visit her
online at www.savvychicks.me.
Lorene Collier Purcy
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As we begin lets clear the myth
about when mother’s day really is.
Every day is mother’s day. Where
would your little potato head be
without your mother. It makes me
angry when I see people disrespect-
ing their mother. This year let’s
forego the dinners, the cards with
money in it and the Kmart flowers
and chocolate. Let’s make this the
Wow of all mother’s day celebration.
Once again everyday is mother’s
day so plan, plan, coordinate. The
wow factor is going way out of what
you would normally expect a
mother’s day celebration to be. My
wow factor for my mother starts like
the following. Family prayer and
family breakfast. Family members
and relatives call her from 10am-
2pm speaking to her, wishing her
well (it’s your job to coordinate who
calls when) none should visit be-
cause of all you have coordinated.
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Next is a shopping spree, not Wal-
Mart or Kmart, a store that when
you enter the security guard gives
you the once over,. Take lot’s of pic-
tures throughout the day posting
them on the family face book page
making her the center of attention.
You could take a professional fam-
ily picture that you scheduled with
her seated and everyone standing
behind her. She is the queen, the
matriarch of the family the glue that
holds it together. Finish the day off
with a homemade dinner (her favor-
ite). Now for the best part of the
day, each son or daughter will stand
and tell the mother how much they
love her , how she has helped and
guided their life , things they re-
member being told as a child .After
the dinner and the reflecting , hug
her ,kiss her, clean up the kitchen
and all the dishes and go home.
When you make it home call her tell
her you love her and commit to
speak to her at least once a week.
She is your Mother. And you only
get one!
Steve Harris
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A glass ball floating? Along the Pacific Ocean,
you will find an event called "Finders Keepers" -
a clever scavenger hung designed to attract
more travelers to the seven and a half miles (12
km) of sandy beaches that define the town's
coastline. Like most towns along Oregon's cen-
tral coast, beaches are the primary draw, par-
ticularly in the summer when Lincoln City joins
many of the shoreline villages in hosting tourists
attracted to the coastline's crashing waves.
Whale watching eats up hours of free time as
people stare at the sea pensively waiting for the
awesome moment when spray from a blowhole
breaks the water's surface. It is reassuring
knowing they are out there: gray whales have
repopulated the area, thanks to on-going con-
servation efforts. Sea lion numbers are also up,
and these mammoth sun-loving mammals are
easy to find when they start clambering on
docks, barking like air horns while nosing each
other for a coveted spot.
Officially, the central Oregon coast is Lincoln
County, and it stretches from Lincoln City to 60
miles (96 km) south in Walport. Within this
boundary, all beaches are public. Owning a slice
of the sand is not legal, as settlers first used the
shore as a primary (and therefore public) trans-
portation route long before the roads pushed
through the sea-ridge forests.
Lincoln County is the warm-weather playground
of urbanites retreating from the daily grind but
wanting the dependability of three- or four- star
accommodations. Residents from nearby Port-
land and Salem, and some from California and
Washington states, head to Highway 101, run-
ning the length of the county, in search of me-
andering coastal tranquility.
Created for destination, from October to May,
special blown-glass float "faries" hide colorful
glass balls between the high tide line and the
ocean all along Lincoln City beaches. The num-
ber of floats distributed reflects the year - in
2007, 2,007 floats are scattered along the
beach during an eighth month period. The rules
are simple: If you find one, you keep it. Floats
are decorative hand-blown balls of colored glass
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commissioned by local artists. Each one-of-a-
kind glass globe is numbered, signed and
dated. The hand-crafted art pieces are mod-
eled after Asian fishing boat glass floats used
to give buoyancy to fishing nets along the
coast of Japan. Sometimes these opaque
green balls come loose and slowly make their
way on a 10- to 30-year journey across the
Pacific Ocean, eventually landing on Oregon's
shores.
Finding one of these authentic floats is excit-
ing but rare, which led to the idea of planting
a few thousand local treasures. Of course,
finding an artist-made float is also fun, but
never guaranteed!
If you don't luck out, you can always make
your own at the Jennifer Sears Glass Foundry
in Lincoln City from Wednesday through Sun-
day, although it's best to make an appoint-
ment before you arrive. The city's most hands
-on tourist stop opened in 2004. Here, three
large kilns burn like gateways to the under-
world, and professionals demonstrate the art
of glass blowing. For $65, any of three arti-
sans will assist visitors who want to make
their own float. Take it home the next day, or
have it shipped.
If getting swelteringly close to glass-melting
heat isn't your cup of tea, you can always buy
a float ready made. Glass floats ranging in
price from $40 to $75 are for sale at almost
every gallery and shop along the state's
coast, so few seekers go home empty
handed.
As for Isabelle, her story ends as only non-fiction can. On the last day of my aunt's ex-
tend trip, she found a blue glass float along Lincoln City's shores. Thrilled because blue is her favorite color, she then turned it over.
The registration number was the same num-ber as her birthday. This float was made for her.
Reminder: Please add this link for the Soul
Train Cruise booking online: STC
Finding A Way 2 Your Purpose~
Rona Walton, Travel Designer
Destynee Travel
512-524-3874/o
512-524-3875/f
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Meet the Moms of our WEFGW Staff
Mother Leola Currie Mother of Evang. Janice Alston
Gloria Collier Mother of Lorene Collier Purcy
Brenda Hughes Mother of Sara Hughes
Florence Logan Mother of Roxanne Harris
Mary Hunt Mother of Rev Steven Harris
Evelyn Mother of CJ Kirven
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Blessed to Be Called Mother
I am Blessed to be called Mother
Although some that call me by that name,
are from the Loins of another.
I brought only sons into this world,
And yet there are lady’s and little girls
Who call me Mother.
Some I listened too as they cried big tears
There are some, who’s noses I wiped,
While they shared with me their hopes, joys and fears.
Some say Mama, some say mama ceta, and others momma,
Whatever word they use, it means the same,
It is prized above fortune and fame.
So as the day approaches, that we celebrate once a year-
To show special kindness to women we hold dear.
I am Blessed to be called Mother--
Even, by the children of others.
I love each and everyone who has blessed me so,
This poem is written, just to let you know-
That you have bestowed upon me, a handle so dear,
Just thinking about it, brings me to tears.
Thank you my children for being so kind and loving
the very first chance I get, On you I will be hugging…
Blessed to Be called Mother, by my own and
Those from others.
I lift you up in prayer,
Asking God that you, he will take care.
You mean more to me than my words can convey,
Just know this, I love you and think of you every Day.
I Thank and Praise God, because I am so wondrously
Blessed To Be Called MOTHER By my children and those from others ……
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Are you wanting to become a model, but
not certain on how to get started??
Model Fashion is here to help! Learn how
to launch your modeling career, learn in-
teresting modeling techniques, new, in-
teresting ways to practice your angles
and SO much more,
from professional Plus Model Keri Atkins,
on Model Fashion!
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On today's hotlist is a movie that will set your
soul on fire. Yes you already know it the infa-
mous "ACT LIKE A LADY THINK LIKE A MAN"
this is the original title as dubbed by Steve Har-
vey as the movie is based on his award winning
book. I know this is a movie critique but please
please please read the book.It will change your
life. Now for the good part. This movie has the
most attractive cast of people from all races I
have ever seen. Starting the line up is Michael
"too sexy" Ely pardon my commentary lol but he
is my future husband after Hill Harper that is, he
play's a man with potential. Don't knock the up
and comers ladies might miss your blessing.
Next we have Taraji P Henson who is strong
and beautiful pow!!! a dangerous combination.
She plays a six figure income earner who does-
n't want a man that has anything less than what
she can bring to the table watch out!!! We bring
in the rest of the cars on this train with Kevin
Hart fun sized and cute who plays a divorcee
who doesn't know if he wants to be single or
endure the supposed abuse of his wife. Then
Regina Hall an oldie but a goodie because she
hasn't been on the scene in a while
her ageless beauty plays a single mom who
needs a man and not a man not a mama's boy.
Some new eye candy of a different latte is Jerry
Ferrara he is also fun sized with a hint of milk
his issue is simple he just needs to grow, up
that is according to Gabriel union who plays his
live in girlfriend. Who do we have here also
timeless is Meagan Good young, talented, and
gorgeous can you say triple threat. She plays a
young woman that has a little trouble
"clink clinking" as Madea says. Ladies just
know if you have this problem all hope is
not lost there is a man for you too. New
to the scene is Romany Malco bald men
are in now so get with the program he is a
lady's man and he can pull you without even
trying look out. Jennifer Lewis with her extraor-
dinary ability to play a mom as she does in this
movie always fulfills our expectations and then
some as the mom of Terrence Jenkins or se-
cretly sexy Terrence J in the movie who obvi-
ously doesn't want to let go of motherly ties.
As much as I would love to tell the entire movie
but I can't just know there are
also surprise appearances by LaLa, Kelly Row-
land, and many others. As I always say this
movie is a MUST SEE, but also know right from
the beginning you will learn how to get a man
and keep him. GO SEE IT!!
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Next on the list is The Hunger Games what con-
troversy this movie brought up. We all love a
good action movie but when it involves children
heads will roll literally. So this cast is filled with
some new faces to the big screen I feel with go
very far in the acting careers. First up is Wes
Bently eye candarific he is yes I said it. He has
what I call quiet strength he's charismatic,
charming, sophisticated in farm boy kina way
and handsome to boot. He plays Seneca Crane
the supposed antagonist of the true star of this
movie from the same neighborhood if you know
what I mean. His co-star is Jennifer Lawrence
who plays Katniss Everdeen who is America's
sweetheart in the movie because she volunteers
her self in place of her sister Primrose Everdeen
played by Willow shields. Woody Harreleson a
man we know from many different screen de-
but's especially cheers plays Haymitch Aber-
nathy a previous member from District 11 which
is what the cities are called who is supposed to
guide the teens on how to survive and win. He's
not exactly the most competent role model in
the movie and I will let your imagination's sore
with that. Now the topic of controversy is
Amanda Stenberg who recently played the little
girl version of Colombiana she brings her inno-
cence and wit right on into this movie as well. I
know she has a strong career ahead of her. The
controversy came about because she is not
white ironically she is of Danish decent so stop
hating on her thanks. Back to the critique this
movie is a definite MUST SEE!!!! Warning it is
very gory and PG13 may be an understatement.
This movie too has a book as the precursor so
to gain a better understanding please please
please read the book if possible I have heard it
is an awesome read and gives insight into the
movie... GO SEE IT!!!!!
This has been movie critiques of the week with
your truly C.J. Kirven the Cinema Diva...
Cheriden J. Kirven
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1. Lose Control
Of all the things you have power over in your life, sleep isn't
one of them. No amount of wishing, hoping or willing can make
it happen. As soon as you accept that it's out of your control,
you'll spend less time worrying about it. It's like traffic during
your morning commute, you can either let it drive you nuts
daily or know that it's just a part of life--some days will be
smoother than others.
2. Set a Bedtime
You set an alarm to get up every morning, but punctuality for
going to bed is just as important. While you don't have to set a nightly alarm, pick an hour for shutting down every night and
stick to it—on weekends too. Your body needs routine.
3. Take a Bath
The Sandman comes when the body's temperature drops. Exag-
gerate that effect with a toasty bath or shower then lie down and
let your body heat get low.
4. Black Out
Even the smallest amount of light can disturb slumber. That means TVs, computers, and even hallway lights should be
switched to the off position until you've landed safely on the
other side of morning.
5. Drown Out Noise
Putting your iPod on shuffle isn't the best idea for drowning out
your partner's snoring. You never know when a jolting party
anthem will come up. Instead, sleep with a fan on or invest in a
sound machine that can produce white noise to block the racket
of the outside world.
6. Be Cool
Cold is sleep's partner in crime. So lower your thermostat a
bit—and save money on your heat while you're at it—then pile
on the blankets. A colder bedroom means your body will func-
tion at calmer, more restful speeds.
7. Eat Light
Heavy eating or drinking before bed increases your chances of
indigestion or frequent trips to the bathroom. A light dinner
about two hours before bedtime can help you sleep more
soundly.
8. No Smoking or Drinking
A night of debauchery every now and then is fine but don't
make a habit of a glass of wine and a smoke before bed. Alco-
hol and nicotine are stimulants that can not only keep you wide-eyed, but also interrupt a peaceful night's sleep.
9. Pillows
The pillow is like a sports bra; it's the most important equip-
ment for working out your z's. Make sure that your pillows are
supportive, comfortable, and suited to your sleeping position
tendencies. The pillows of a stomach sleeper and a fetal posi-
tion person don't have to look the same. Find the best pillow for
your sleep habits.
10. Kick the Pets Out
Midnight hairballs, dogs dreaming of digging—need we say more? As adorable as they are, your pets are not sleep's best
friends. They're just as prone to be woken up—and thus wake
you up—by the little things that go bump in the night.
11. Kill the Pain
If a minor ache or pain is keeping you awake don't fight it. Do
whatever you need to make it better, whether it's popping some
Ibuprofen or getting to a doctor.
12. Avoid Caffeine
It's fine that you can't get through the day without your morning
latte, but make it a rule that no caffeine touches your lips after
sundown.
13. Just Breathe
Stop concentrating on the laundry list of concerns in your head
and focus on your breath. Deep and slow or short and shallow,
the sound of your inhales and exhales can be a lullaby to sooth you into slumber.
14. Stay Calm
When sleeplessness strikes, don't freak out—that will only de-
lay the process further. Give yourself a break. So what if you're
having a sleepless night? It's not the end of the world. By think-
ing, 'Great, I can't sleep. I'm going to be worthless tomorrow,'
you're creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Relax and trust that
there will be plenty of sleep-filled nights in your near future.
15. Don't Compensate
There is no such thing as making up for lost sleep except for
getting back on your regular schedule. Naps, going to bed super
early, or sleeping late may seem like the natural fixes to a sleep-
less night, but they actually send your body mixed messages.
Keep your sleep schedule calibrated for your life, not a random
late night or a short bout of insomnia
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Pastor Nannie German
Sr. Pastor of Spirit and In Truth Ministries in NJ . Pas-tor German writes our Spiri-tual Insight column.
Freelance writer and web designer Keri Atkins has always enjoyed
fashion, but never thought she had a place in fashion as a plus sized
woman. Her fashion blog, Model Fashion, was inspired by this goal: to share fashion spreads, modeling
tips, 'how to' styling videos and
Steve Harris is a licensed
minister of the gospel. He re-
sides in Tuscaloosa Alabama
with his wife Roxanne Harris,
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