Shaneia Says...

I have been blessed over the last few weeks with additions to my family. My brother and his wife had twin boys (pics will come) and I adopted a puppy on Monday. His name is Mossimo Darth Vadar Stewart (named by granny and Kiyah). I know that's an awful big name for a 2 month old pup but he is such an incredible little guy with tons of energy. Since this is the very closest I will be to mothering in a long time I am completely thrilled about my new baby. This is not the first pet I've adopted but certainly the first that needs "mothering". When I got Jinxi, my terribly independent cat, all I needed to do was keep the bowl filled, litter clean and she was pretty much on her own. She runs things really. When she's in the mood for love or affection she will slide herself under my dangling feet, and when she's not in the mood trust me no amount of coddling or whistling will bring her to me AT ALL. Not that I love her any less, there's just something co...

Usually Superbowl Sunday I wake up with a bolt of energy and strategically plan my day of a fantastic season culmination with a grand football game. This year it was different. It is true that I wasn't really excited about either team. Not truly a fan of either, but there have been other superbowls (plenty actually) where my teams haven't made it and I'm still excited to just watch the game. But this year was different and I couldn't shake it. Even when my bff faithfully called by the second to update me on the pre-game festivities, I just couldn't work up even one solitary woohoo. I have been in a really frustrating slump with the pigskin sport since about the middle of the season. And yes, it did coincidently become clear by about that time that neither the Eagles or the Ravens would see the postseason but that really wasn't the MAIN reason that my love for the game was declining as the season went on. I just couldn't muster up my normal vigor for ...

I've recently had an epiphany. I have discovered after thorough research that I am a HUGE fan of ABC Primetime. I never really thought I was much of a TV watcher but as it turns out I think I watch enough to be considered an expert on the subject. Although I am a fan of Discovery Channel and MSNBC, I really enjoy Primetime Dramas..and I have come upon the realization that ABC is my fave. Foregoing the obvious, Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice I have recently become a fan of Big Shots, Eli Stone, Cashmere Mafia, Ugly Betty, and an occasional Supernanny. And that is a lot of television to enjoy on one evening network. I have even decided after three completed unwatched seasons to finally give Lost a chance. ABC Kids also hosts my Disney Faves - Suite Life of Zack & Cody, That's So Raven and Hannah Montana. So, it is with unwavering certainty that I am declaring ABC my favorite local network. And yes, I am aware that Oprah comes on WBAL, but did you know that O...

I'm trying to remember what started this whirlwind of drama this month and I couldn't even begin to tell you. I'll just say that I'm awful glad that this month is more than half over. I was reading a friend's blog yesterday and she described a beautiful city scene...one that made me go out today and take a look at Baltimore with new eyes. I was appreciating the rush, the individuality, the candor. I was falling in love with what I enjoy about city living all over again. And then I was reminded of the other side of life in the heart of the city...just that quickly. Today was hectic from the very beginning. I came into work thinking that I was making a trip to Philadelphia to have one of my newer borrowers sign paperwork. We can always send fedex, but my manager believes that when you sit down with a borrower and they can put a face to a name, it gives them a reason to send you referrals. And so far, he has been absolutely right. So, for the cause - I was dri...

Let me set the scene. It's labor day weekend, I'm not flat broke and me and my best friend have just won a pretty decent game of spades. I'm feeling pretty ok. There's a little bit of drama with the neighbors. Somebody had too much to drink and she done said something out the way to somebody else and it is FUNNY! 'Cause there is nothing wrong with a little bit of drama, as long as it's not MINE. I'm working out some of the question marks in my life, not with lightening speed, but I'm seeing the gray of the silver lining. Not too much more one can ask for right about now. And then.... Just when I think I'm doing really well. I'm looking and listening and maybe doing a really great job of figuring out some of the life lessons that the Lord is trying to teach me, this happens. I am so NOT ready for this. Anything but this. I mean, I really do deserve a break here. A lot has been going on and I've been keeping my head up, not giving up, listeni...

I had the privilege of reading someone else's blog yesterday. Perusing her thoughts and experiencing life through her eyes. It was such a refreshing reminder that our journey is not one that was meant for us to experience alone. As I read her confessions I realized that at some point I had felt the emotions she was writing about and a lot of them were feelings and ideas that I was experiencing in my present. Having my own issues and questions about how this thing called life is supposed to go is difficult sometimes. It's a good reminder that there are others who strive for greatness experiencing what we are. And it is even more rewarding to be reminded by someone else's hand of the mark of excellence that we strive for daily. You see this week, I've been questiong AGAIN whether I am supposed to stick this mortgage slump out. It's been grueling and I think surely God does not want me to be this broke... And then I remember that when things were doing extremely...

Last Saturday seemed as if it were going to be kind of regular..me working extra hard to get everything done before the new work week. I came into the office for a brief moment to make some calls, and received an unexpected but very welcome call from one of my best friends. When she started talking I could tell immediately that something wasn't right. After quick hello's, she told me that she had something to tell me. Her husband of over ten years had passed away unexpectedly. Only 36 years old and with a new lease on life, I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I listened to the first couple of sentences and then my mind went completely blank. It felt completely surreal as I listened to her, my mind immediately went back to the last time that I saw him (they threw a sleepover together for all their friends a couple of months back), and my heart ached. I was there, I watched them grow. Watched them go through the ups and downs that couples do, but more importantly wat...