I don’t know about you, but when it comes to exercise I have to admit that I don’t get enough of it. I don’t run or jog but I do like to walk both outdoors, weather permitting and in the evenings on my elliptical, energy permitting – lol.
However, my favorite exercise of all times is working outside in the yard. During this time of the year hubby and I spend our Sunday afternoons outside doing yard work. He mows the lawn, trims and edges the walkway, while I cut back the Spring and Summer foliage and pull those weeds which never seem to stop growing!
Autumn is the best time of the year to work outside because it’s not too hot nor too cold, and listening to music makes it even more enjoyable. While hubby rides the lawnmower, he is listening to music from an iPhone in his pocket and headphones on his ears.
While I trim trees and hedges I’m listening to music with an iPhone nestled securely in a Limm iPhone Armband with buds in my ears. The Limm iPhone Armband keeps the iPhone safe and secure with an adjustable and stretchable strap that doesn’t interfere with my arm movements.
The Limm iPhone Armband is made of a material that keeps the phone protected from sweat and has a built in pocket to hold a single key, so if you are out for a run or walk, just tuck your house, desk or car key inside. If your exercise regiment also includes working outdoors and you want to listen to music while you work, try this Limm iPhone Armband, which would also make for a great stocking stuffer, you can order one today from Amazon.com
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. Did you know that on average people worldwide are living six years longer than they were 20 years ago? Thanks to improved medical advances and declining tobacco use the average life expectancy for women in the United States is 81 and male life expectancy is 76.
So now that you’ve got more time, what are you going to do with it? If you are nearing retirement or have retired what creative and inexpensive activities would you like to do in your golden years?
Getting together with friends or neighbors visiting cultural sites, libraries, historic homes or museums or how about taking a Yoga or Tai Chi class to increase your flexibility.
Volunteering your services, participating in church or religious groups are also other great options. A lot of people actually fear retirement thinking they are going to be bored, but trying something new or doing something that you’ve always wanted to do can be both fun and exciting.
Have you ever wanted to write a book, sing, act, paint, or learn to play a musical instrument? Perhaps you would enjoy sharing your knowledge by teaching, writing a blog or in specialty cooking and baking. Local travel to neighboring states discovering what is in your own back yard can also be an inexpensive adventure.
No matter what you choose, if you start making a list now while you’re still working you’ll have more to look forward to when that great day actually arrives.
What is the one activity that you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time?
Today most of you are off from work in honor of MLK Day of Service. If you are looking for volunteer opportunities in your area please check the All For Good website, and in Delaware click (here). In addition to the many volunteer opportunities there are also local family events for you and the kids, so I hope you have a chance to attend one.
Oh me…I’m at work!
Events in and around Wilmington:
MON, JANUARY 20, 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
MLK Day Camp
Brandywine Zoo, 1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19802
Our world is richer because of biodiversity! Come and learn why every living thing has a special place and purpose on our earth. Through fun activities, stories and crafts you’ll discover how to be a better animal ambassador! Campers must be potty trained and come dressed for the weather. Campers must bring a bag lunch and water bottle; light snack is provided. Morning drop off from 8-8:30 A.M.. Aftercare available until 5:30 P.M.
Fee: $55 per participant; $45 Delaware Zoological Society Members. Aftercare fee: $10 per person. Pre-registration required. Deadline for registration is January 15th.
To register, please call (302) 571-7788 ext. 200 or emailDNREC_Parks_ZooPrograms@state.de.us
MON, JANUARY 20, 9:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
African-American Champions of Nature
Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike (Rt. 52), Wilmington, DE 19807
Celebrate the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Museum! We’ll have games, crafts, and activities that will leave you filled with compassion for your fellow man and beast.
For more information call (302) 658-9111
MON, JANUARY 20, 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Celebrate MLK, Jr. Day with YWCA Delaware!
Trinity Episcopal Parish, 1108 North Adams Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Please join us for a special racial justice event in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Lawrence Livingston, Pastor at Mother African Union Church. For more details, contact Faye Bonneau, Director of Racial Justice, at (302) 224-4060 ext. 218 orfbonneau@ywcade.org
MON, JANUARY 20, 1:00 – 3:30 P.M.
March for Peace and Community Celebration
1:00 – 2:00 March: St. Paul Catholic Church, Corner of West 4th and Van Buren Streets
2:00 – 3:30 Community Celebration: Be Ready Jesus is Coming Church, 1411 West 4th Street
Walk for peace in our community. The celebration following the march will have food, children’s activities, and arts, music and dance performances.
Questions? Contact Vanity at (302) 602-6560
Co-sponsored by West Side Grows Together and Wilmington Peacekeepers
Here are a few events in our area as posted on DelawareOnline
BREAKFAST IN WILMINGTON
The Organization of Minority Women Inc. hosts the 27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, 8 a.m. Monday at Chase Center on the Riverfront, 800 South Madison St., Wilmington. For tickets, $35, call Mary Plant at 764-4323.
BREAKFAST IN DOVER
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has its 28th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, Monday at Dover Modern Maturity Center, 1121 Forrest Ave. Doors open 7 a.m., an 8:45 a.m. program features Pastor Ellis B. Louden of Mount Zion AME Church, Dover. Admission is a $15 donation at the door.
BREAKFAST IN BRIDGEVILLE
The Western Sussex 2011 Day of Celebration prayer breakfast is 8 a.m. Monday at Heritage Shores Country Club, Bridgeville. Its theme is “TEAM-Work makes the DREAM-Work,” with the Rev. John G. Moore Sr. speaking, music by saxophonist Tony Smith and a Community Recognition Award to Derek and Monica Sheets of Seaford. For advance-only tickets, $20, call 628-1908.
PARTY, AWARDS MONDAY
The 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Children’s Birthday Party is at noon Monday at Bancroft Academy, Eighth and Lombard streets, Wilmington. The event, with birthday cake, is free. Guests are asked to donate canned food for the needy. Winners of an MLK poster/essay contest will be announced and must attend to get awards, sponsored by the Afro-American Historical Society of Delaware and National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa. For information, call Harmon R. Carey, 562-4718.
ALUMNI EVENT MONDAY
Delaware Academy of Science has a reception Monday for alumni of Iron Hill School 112-C, built in the 1920s for black children, now home to Iron Hill Museum. Alumni will get a preview of renovation plans. The reception is 2-4 p.m. in Building 15, Delaware Technology Park, 15 Innovation Way, Newark. To attend, alumni should call Rebecca L. Klug at 738-7532.
NATURE PROGRAM MONDAY
Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Greenville, has “African-American Champions of Nature” 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday. Crafts, activities and displays honor scientist George Washington Carver, entomologist Charles Henry Turner, marine biologist Ernest Everett Just and ornithologist Robert A. Gilbert. Adults, $7, $5 for ages 3-17, $6 ages 60 plus, members and kids under 3, free. For information, call 658-9111.
CAN DRIVE STARTS MONDAY
The RSVP Advisory Council of Sussex County starts a food drive Monday that lasts into March. Food goes to Sussex County state service centers to fill crisis food requests. Drop sites are Hocker’s in Clarksville, Giant Foods in Millville, Long Neck and Rehoboth Beach, and Food Lions in Millville and Long Neck.
Last week I was thankful for the opportunity to have met the beautiful and “blessed with success” owner of Lai Renise Boutique, Nadira Alston. Lai Renise Boutique is located on the 2nd floor of 11 West Main Street in Middletown.
Nadria and her family relocated from Philadelphia where she started and still operates a successful online boutique with clients from New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware. She moved to Delaware and on the 3rd of May opened Lai Renise which is partially named after her daughter.
Lai Renise is a high end yet affordable shop for women looking for something special or a one of a kind outfit. Nadira offers a personal shopping experience and hosts Trunk Shows in which family and friends gather for wonderful evening of shopping and styling.
Nadira had always dreamed of operating a brick and mortar shop and was blessed to have found this location which was previously a dance studio. The mirrored walls were already in place so she just added the shelving to showcase the beautiful handbags and accessories with brands like Big Buddah Bags, Betsy Johnson, Vieta and Russ Jewelry.
Nadira also runs a full time Ministry and enjoys working with young women in empowerment and positive transformation. On Saturday from 4:30 to 8:30 she is hosting “Daughter’s of Excellence Annual Dessert Cafe” a fellowship featuring an Open-Mic, Singing, Poetry and Storytelling at 14 West Main Street. For more information please send an email to daughters@trclive.org.
In honor of #ShopSmall Saturday I treated myself to a Big Buddah Handbag – it was a tough decision but I purchased the black one.
Now it’s your turn – what are you thankful for this week?
I was born in 1961, the decade known for free love, drugs, Go-Go Girls, Rock and Roll, The Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Hippies, the Birth Control Pill, The Peace Corp, Dr King, President Kennedy, assassinations, integration, Space Explorations, Cuban Missile Crisis, The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, The Beverly Hillbillies, Afros, Crew Cuts, and of course the vibrant and colorful world of fashion.
The Past Is a Blast is a website that has culminated fun and interesting facts about the ’60’s, including popular music, dances, sports figures, politicians even the minimum wage, which at the time was just a $1.00, go check it out.
I was too young to fully understand it all but do remember that I loved the fashion and styles of the ’60’s, the bell bottoms, platform shoes, neon colors, color blocking and pattern mixing…hey, isn’t that the style of today?
To learn more or reminisce about the 60s, here’s another website you can check out – The 60’s Official Site
What is your favorite blast from the past fashion trend? Mine was bell bottoms and Peace Sign jewelry.
Hello Friends and Happy Monday, I hope you all had a nice weekend and that the weather was just as nice where you were as it was here in Delaware. Saturday before leaving Dover my sons and I drove through downtown and noticed a large gathering on The Green. Unfortunately, we had just missed the annual parade of The Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association but I stopped to take pictures of some of the trucks and engines which were prominently on display.
Volunteer Fire Companies from around the state participated and vied for the coveted Governor’s Cup which was awarded to Smyrna’s Citizens Hose Company for the 34th year.
Families and friends enjoyed themselves, eating, drinking, and playing while a DJ played a variety of music to keep everyone entertained before the awards ceremony.
This traditional family friendly festival is just one of many events held annually in the Capital City of Dover.
do you want to make the 1st Monday of the summer better?
Then do what I do, think of your favorite summer songs, you know the ones that you just have to hear every year no matter how old it is…the ones you only listen to when it’s hot outside or when you’re on vacation?
Okay, now download, stream or pull them up on Pandora, turn up the volume, then sing along loudly in your office or cubicle – sike…don’t get fired…or carted off to Bellevue, just sing quietly and chair dance!
This is the list with link to my six favorite summer songs.
Summer songs and summer wear seem to go hand-in hand, hence my #1 jam, so when it’s hot all day everyday, I prefer a sundress. This is one of my favorites thrifted from GW Boutique.
Happy 1st Day of Summer – the longest day of the year!
More sunshine means more fun time, so how are you going to celebrate ?
Will you be cooking on the grill; sitting on the patio/deck listening to music; going to the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival; outdoor dining; heading down to FireFly, playing with the kids/grands or just relaxing with a book and a beverage? How about an ice cream cone from Mister Softee or a $2 Ice/$3 Gelati from Rita’s?
No matter what you do, just do it and have fun!
Red & White Striped Top – GW Boutique // White Jeans – JCPenney on clearance for $1.00!
 "Rocking The Color Blocking")
 "Black and White Polka Dot Dress")
 "Vibrancy of the 60's")
 "Vest and Skirt")
 "Hippie Style")
