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.

Motherly Advice- OH NO!


This past weekend I was at a baby shower. I like baby showers, all the ooos and aaahs, and cutsie wootsie little things we do in celebration of the baby. I won’t go into too much detail about what it took to get there: washing and combing through my two daughter’s hair, making sure it was presentable for a Sunday afternoon; since we didn’t go to church, I wanted to make sure we read the bible, prayed and sang one hymn together (I am quite old school and was raised southern Baptist- some things I just have to be sure my children experience.) Well, I thought I’d take the metro so I could read (I’m a mom, ok) Well, I am a driver, been driving long country miles since 15 and 8 months. Needless to say, I got lost walking. Never in a car, I get upset when I’m lost. I am comfortable there; secure, able to whip a u-turn in a heartbeat. So walking with 3 inch hills in an unknown area is not my usual “get lost” area. I had to literally calm myself down before walking into the party. My upset comes when I least expect it at times. I blame it on hormones. Anyway, I was fine, the shower was beautiful and everyone was completely smiles. Happy occasion.
Then the dreadful question was asked, “Ok, can someone give (mother to be) some advice about motherhood.” Folks scanned the room, it seemed and their eyes landed on me, mother of three. The mother-to-be yells, “No negative stuff.” OH shit. I just stood there. Eyes fixed on me. I uttered, “Uh… Uh….Um… let me think. She said no negative stuff. Hmm. Um…” Some days you can’t give advice on certain topics. I thought about all the beauteous things I had been through experiencing this mother-thing so far. I thought about how perfect I felt being pregnant and dumb after trying to breastfeed when everyone swore the baby was hungry. I thought about the commercial that sent me crying every time I heard it because it reminded me of how much I loved my child and I wanted to give him everything. I thought about how I felt like super mom one day after simply washing my ass, getting everyone ready for the day, eating my breakfast, and going to work. Then realizing I forgot to fix a lunch and my child may be eating a cheese sandwich from the cafeteria. Oh no! Don’t ask me, I was depressed for a year after my third child. Don’t ask me, I had a melt down at the very moment my one year old was having one. My son used to spit and fall out in the middle of the floor and I didn’t know what to do. Don’t ask me, one day I cooked oatmeal for dinner because I was too tired to fix a decent dinner. Should I let her know that her outlook on life may change after each child? Should I shout out, Mothering does not come natural to everyone! No matter how much you know folks (husband included) are there for you, at times, you can feel very alone. Should I tell her to ALWAYS close the door while using the bathroom- it may be your only “me” time. Hell no, she’s too happy. Panicked and silent, “Uh, being a mother….” I never completed the statement.
Today, after loading up one of five loads of laundry and a wiping sticky substance off the wall, and kissing my precious darlings good night, it hit me. My motherly advice:
Experience it for yourself, love it at times and live it.

I'm baaacckk!!!!! Who is listening?
Well, today I am.
Kinda missed this blog.
We have got to catch up.