The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Tag: Girl Friends

  • It’s Not All Downhill From Here

    Hello Honeybees,

    You know how you can hear a song and it triggers certain memories? That song can take you back to a certain place, a special moment or time spent with special people. I have books that trigger certain memories too, some books I’ll reread not just because of the memories but because of the lasting effects that they have on my life. Every year I read Purpose Driven Life, and since discovering The Alchemist I had added it to the list. 

    I remember my first Zane read, my first Brenda Jackson read, my first J. California Cooper read, my first Toni Morrison read and my first Terry McMillan read. I remember what was happening in life at the time that I immersed myself in these books. The time that I sat aside to actually slow down and sit down with a book in hand and lose myself in the pages.

    Well, Terry McMillan’s It’s Not All Downhill From Here is the book for the current stage of my life. It’s about love, marriage, divorce, friendship, money, growing older, parenting, aging parents,loss and more. It’s the Waiting To Exhale for the 50 plus group. Chronicling the friendship of 5 women as they navigate this thing called life. You will find yourself in one or more of these characters. I think that I’m a combination of the main character Loretha and her girl Ko. Each lady has her own life circumstances and issues to deal with but they do it together. They each have their own flaws but hey who is perfect? We see how you can do your best as a parent but once your children are adults, especially adults, you have to let them fall. 

    We see the value in friendships, good friendships. The value in taking care of your body, at some point you won’t be able to drop it like Thee Stallion. If you do drop it you might need someone to help you up. We see the value in making good financial decisions that will enable you to leave a legacy for your loved ones. We learn that you are never too old and it is never too late for love. You are never too old for second chances and life is not all downhill no matter how many trips around the sun.

    I give this book 5 out of 5 honeypots. So grab a copy and a cocktail and read it with your girls. You will not regret it.

    For a while now I have been trying to think of a way to launch a series aimed at how life and your body changes as you get older. This book is the launch pad for that series. Still working on a name but it’s coming. Each month I will tackle a different topic. The first one next month (my birthday month) will be about menopause. Leave me a comment below with your menopause questions. Don’t worry I won’t be answering them based on my knowledge. I have some help from some experts.  

     

    Beewisdom-“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” – Betty Friedan 

  • Self Love Day with Dr. Jamie

    Hello Honeybees,

    One of the ways that I practice self love is by surrounding myself with women who inspire me and lift me up. On Sunday I was fortunate enough to experience self love at its best. Dr. Jamie Hardy is the founder of The Fab Gathering, The Fab Gathering is a safe space to let down your guard and to receive support and tools to elevate your health and your life. This FAB gathering was all about self love.

    A little back story. I started following Dr. Jamie after meeting her at a blogger workshop. Shortly after our meeting she hosted a Fab Gathering at Char restaurant but I waited to late to get my ticket. That was not the case this time.

    Dr. Jamie, a pharmacist by trade, is on a mission to help women to be fit, FABulous, and fulfilled by giving their food, actions, and beliefs a makeover. She encourages women to live a healthy lifestyle without pills. Yes you read that right, a pharmacist trying to get us off the meds.

    The day began with a panel of beautiful black educated women dropping gems on everything from navigating storms to self image and of course saying NO.

    Melody Hubbard-Robinson dropped the first gem. During the introductions when most people tell who they are and what they do for a living, Melody said: “My job is….. but my purpose is….” I love that because we are more than our jobs. We all have a purpose and you are blessed if they are the same.

    Dr. Kristen Walker let us know that if self care becomes stressful then you aren’t doing it right.

    Kim Cox Esq. reminded us that you always have options. Don’t be afraid to take the chance to have joy.

    Dr. Audrey Townsel dropped on of the most important gems of all about dealing with other people. When pouring into other people make sure that they can pour back into you.

    I told you these ladies were fierce and I received every word of it.

    After the panel it was time to hydrate because Dr. Jamie knew that we were gonna need it. Twana Johnson got us up and moving. We did a “quick” 7 minutes of cardio to get our heart rate up. 30 minutes a day is all we need to get us started & to help us stay fit. Twana’s gem was “You can catch someones cold but you can’t catch good health” That my friends is on you.

    After getting our groove on we hit the mat, the yoga mat that is. My favorite yogi, Jackie O lead our practice. I am always in a calmer state of mind after yoga with Jackie.

    Dr. Jamie then talked to us about the important benefits of journaling and introduced us to her new soon to be released Self Love Kit. Head over to The Fab Gathering website for more details.

    As promised we had a healthy and delicious lunch. I was full but not stuffed. A perfect combination.

    This was the perfect way to spend part of my Sunday. I was so inspired by all of the women. I am so happy that I had the chance to experience Self Love Day with the Fab Gathering.

    Job well done Dr. Jamie.

     

    Beewisdom- If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete. ~ Buddha

  • Hot Springs Weekend

    Hello Honeybees,

    Sometimes 48 hours is all you need to get in alignment. This past weekend I was able to do just that. I got away for 48 hours with my aunt, a friend and two of my cousins to help celebrate my aunts birthday. We didn’t go far but this trip accomplished it’s mission for me. I got a chance to just relax and enjoy.

     

    Hot Springs, Arkansas is only a few hours away from Memphis making it a quick and easy getaway.

    We hit the road Friday morning and had lunch at The Bleu Monkey Grill in Hot Springs. I didn’t get any lunch pictures because I was starving. They had a delicious bread with the pesto dipping oil.

    There was a religious conference in Hot Springs happening at the same time so finding lodging was a challenge. My cousin who planned the trip likes to stay with the Choice Hotels family. When we pulled up to the motel I was very skeptical. We checked out the rooms to make sure that we were going to stay, we were pleasantly surprised. We had a back up but we didn’t need it.
    After the drive & food we were in for the night. We ate leftovers lunch for dinner & we knocked out for the night.

    Saturday morning we had an early start. First up was breakfast. We ate at the cutest pancake house. In fact it was so good we went back the next morning before leaving. I highly recommend this family owned establishment.

    We had a little time to kill before our thermal pool & steam cave appointment so we took a quick self guided tour of the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitors Center. I like history so it was fascinating to see the history of the bath houses & physical therapy equipment.

    Next up was the Thermal Pools at Quapaw Baths & Spa. Sitting in 104 degree water was AMAZING then spending 20 minutes in the steam cave was just what my mind, body and skin needed. I really enjoyed the experience & the price was just right. I would like to go back for a full day of services.

     

    Afterwards we headed to Thai-Me Spa for drinks, massages and the oxygen bar.

    We had a late lunch at the Fisherman’s Wharf. The view was beautiful & the food was delicious.

    Next stop was the Garvan Woodland Gardens. We got there an hour before closing so we didn’t get to tour the grounds but we did get to see the Carillon and the beautiful chapel.

    Whew, we packed a lot in one day but it was fun & relaxing. Great company, good food and beautiful scenery was just what I needed to get back in the groove.

    There is so much history that I didn’t get to explore. There will definitely be another trip to Hot Springs in the future. Follow me on Instagram for more picture.

     

    Beewisdom- Take a deep breath and just enjoy your life