The Honeybee's Lifestyle

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  • Love Is A House

    Hello Honeybees,

    My aunt came to Memphis for a visit.  I usually get to see her about once or twice a year.  She and her family are my only relatives still living in the Windy City.  My mom and I moved to Memphis from Chicago when I was 10 years old.  My dad passed at the early age of 32 and my mom thought moving to Memphis would give us a fresh start. 

    Now for the record I never wanted to move to Memphis.  I had a life in Chicago (all 10 years of it)

    This is the house on the South Side of Chicago where my foundation began

    Normal House

    In this house I learned the meaning of love and family.  I watched my parents as they showed me what a good marriage looks like… how a man treats a wife and how a wife respects her husband.

    In this house I developed my love for sports, especially Steeler football…thanks dad!

    In this house I learned to ride a bike and jump double-dutch

    Home Saying

    In this house I had awesome birthday parties.

    In this house I had the best Christmas’ ever.

    To me this house represents some of the BEST memories of my life.

    To me this house represents LOVE

    I have been back to Chicago once since moving to Memphis.  That’s something that has to change and soon.

    But I don’t want to go in the winter…yeah I still remember that hawk. Brrrr!!!!

    I want to go back now as an adult to shop and definitely eat.  I didn’t know it then but I was cultivating my love for food.

    ChicagoSkyline1

    Growing up my cousins and I would spend some part of every summer in Memphis with our grandmother.  I liked Memphis. It was a great place to visit but to move…..Nope, Nada, No way!  But what choice did I have? Unlike today’s children, I didn’t have a vote. 

    As a mother I am glad that we made the move to Memphis. Honestly I would rather raise my boys in Memphis than in Chicago.

    I hope to one day take my boys to Chicago so that they can see where it all began.  They never got the chance to meet my parents but I share with them the good times that I had in this house. This is where love started for me.

    I pray that I am creating those same kind of memories for them in our HOME.

    Belinda Bee pic

    What was your favorite place to live growing up?

    Beewisdom- It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home – Unknown

  • Girlfriends Gathering

    Hello Honeybees,

    Saturday night I attended the birthday celebration of my sister friend Jackie O!  Usually when Jackie has a girlfriend gathering I can expect to leave with a new friend, new insight and a renewed spirit.

    Saturday was no different!

    Jackie & Me

    We gathered at the home of one of Jackie’s friends.  Because her friend couldn’t stay long at last year’s gathering due to sitter issues, she hosted this year’s celebration at her house.  Now that says a lot about their friendship and about what a special person Jackie is.  When I walked into the house I was immediately put at ease.  It was so warm and inviting.  The host and her family made us all feel at home.Jackie, Mignonne

    There were 8 women sitting around eating, drinking and sharing.

    When I say that there was not one bit of gossip……I mean there was not one bit of gossip.

    We shared stories about our life, family, careers and relationships.  We offered honest advice like we had been friends for years.  We laughed at stories about some of our most “interesting” adventures….you wouldn’t believe me if I tried to repeat them…which I won’t because:

    What happens at Jackie’s gathering stays at Jackie’s gathering

    There were some things that were shared that I know no one thought that they would be sharing. Especially with people that you just met, but we bonded like we had been friends forever.

    That’s the kind of thing that happens when Jackie brings a group together.  It seems like the right people are together at the right time for the right reason. 

    Again, Saturday was no different.

    I left with, new friends, new insight and a renewed spirit

    If you ever have the privilege of being invited to a Jackie O! Girlfriend Gathering….don’t miss it.  I’m glad I didn’t

    If you want to find Jackie,meet her on the mat at her yoga class on Thursdays at Caritas Village, 6 p.m.      Pay what you can!

    Yoga Jackie

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom- Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.      W. Clement Stone

  • I Choose ME

    Hello Honeybees,

    “Put your oxygen mask on first before you try to help those around you”

    Those are part of  the instructions that the flight attendant gives at the beginning of every flight.  The attendant is preparing us for what to do in case of an emergency…..

    I like this analogy but I say don’t wait until there is an emergency…. Put your oxygen mask on NOW!!

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    Taking care of yourself is your first priority.  As women we are such nurturers that we tend to put others well-being ahead of our own.

    But think about it, if we don’t take care of self, who will be around to care for our loved ones…..when we can’t?

    We don’t have to be too selfish about it but we do have to be aware of it.  Take time to decompress from family, work, friends and other obligations

    Take yourself to lunch and just enjoy YOU.

    Have a massage or facial….ALONE… and turn OFF that cell phone.

    Massage

    Go to the bookstore, have a seat, pick up a book or magazine and just be.

    Visit a museum

    Go window shopping (don’t buy unless it’s already in the budget)

    Take a walk on the river

    Riverwalk

    Just Do Something For YOU      

    Spend time with YOU

    You’ll be a better a better mom, wife, sister, aunt, coworker and friend

    You mind, body, spirit, and soul will thank you!!

    Belinda Bee pic

    What’s your favorite alone time activity?

    Beewisdom – It’s not selfish to love yourself, and take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority.  It’s necessary! – Mandy Hale