The single most beautiful thing I love about the New Year is my new calendar. It is the most refreshing thing about the beginning of the year for me. I spend lots of time in December searching for the right calendar each year. In 2008, I was given a gift of the Gustav Klimt calendar. I will never forget, it gave me so much inspiration. Last year, I bought the Self-Realization Yogananda calendar which was written in Spanish. Didn’t matter that I didn’t speak or read Spanish. It was the photos I needed. Last spring, a colleague saw that he had the same calendar and offered me his calendar in English, so I could read the quotes, which for him most important.
This year, I went for a more functional calendar. It was all about the inspiration last year and the year before that. This year is more about the plan. It’s about the “sticking” to the plan, or at least having one to stick to. Discipline, obedience, and preparedness: that’s what I’m going for.
Already on my calendar, I have a website launch party, yoga and exercise plan, children’s activities, writing times, and recording schedules. But all that doesn’t matter if I don’t stick to it.

I created my binder for my new musical project. It is full of organization, but the contents are bare. Mostly because I have lyrics in three different places, instrumentals and notes here and there. As I fill its pages, I will use this blog to update you on the progress.
Well, I have a lot planned this year. We know how plans go. They sometimes have a way of working you, but I will do my best to not make a liar out of my new calendar.

Lessons I learned today from being so “BUSY”.

The little things I say to my children are good for my ears as well.

Lesson #1 Timing. “Can we plant the seeds?” Trinity asked after eating her orange. “No, it’s not planting season,” I say with authority. I listened to myself this time. What season is it for you Tami? Figure this out.
Lesson #2 Delegating. “Mommy, can you pull my pant leg down?” Ok, I pulled one down and said, “Why don’t you get your brother to do the other one?” She did and Daniel, willingly, was very successful at this.
Lesson #3 Sit. Eat. Chew. Those were the directions I gave my children this morning for breakfast. Then I sat down, I ate and enjoyed my bowl of cereal. Before I said this aloud, I was putting the dishes away, bagging a gift and reading O. One thing at a time, I told them and told myself. This was the biggest lesson for me today.

These are not easy tasks for most of us who are so used to being busy. But we surely have enough to keep us busy with our creative minds going non-stop. Every now and then, listen to yourself as you give directions to others.

Earlier this year I read this book: Put Your Dreams First- Handle Your [Entertainment] Business by Thembisa Mshaka


My Notes after reading Handle Your Business:
Reading this book woke me up. I was literally drained from traveling to take my children down south to visit grandys, and I also took them to give me a moment to handle some business (work life). Reading the book was the very thing that I needed at the moment. What was encouraging was that I knew about these women. So to hear their story a little closer gave me insight and hope as I journey through the music industry. Khamilah Forbes, Abby Dobson, Fiona Bloom, and even the women Lenora who has had Landmark Education are all women I have some a distant connection with. That was very encouraging. It also made me see the music world as a much smaller entity and made me feel like my dreams are attainable. Well for the record I never thought they weren’t attainable because I am living my dream. This is one stage. The book gives me guidance and skin for the next stage. It was also a wakeup call to get my entertainment business {dreams} in order. 
Thanks Thembisa (and Fiona for putting the bug in my ear)

No nod. BUT I am putting forth a tireless effort and it shall pay off.

I will write a song about it.
Stay tuned.

I should have never signed up to be the chairperson. Three kids- barely wiping their own behinds. Don't do it to yourself is what I told myself early in the year. Now I am failing miserably at this job. Well, maybe not miserably. But I am winning at somethings!
Listen out for that grammy nom tomorrow night.
Big Mama- How Do You Do it?!
I don't.