Chelle Ramsey's Blog, page 33

1985 ROCKED!

Today's Throwback Thursday selected year is 1985. I was 12 years old and I thought I had problems. I thought I knew a little something about the world. I had no clue about living. Here's a few fun facts about 1985 that I wasn't even thinking about back then, but is all my life consists of now:


COST OF LIVING:

AVERAGE COST OF NEW HOME: $89,330

MEDIAN PRICE OF EXISTING HOME: $75,500

AVERAGE INCOME PER YEAR: $22,100

AVERAGE MONTHLY RENT: $375

AVERAGE PRICE OF NEW CAR: $9,005

COST OF A GALLON OF GAS: $1.09

COST OF A GALLON OF MILK: $2.26

COST OF A CARTON OF EGGS: $0.80


TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS:

The Food and Drug Administration approves a blood test for AIDS, The first .Com domain name, symbolics.com, is registered by the Symbolics corporation.   Microsoft Corporation releases the first version of Windows, Windows 1.0.     Compact Discs are introduced to American Consumers The space shuttle Atlantis is launched UK Starts screening Blood donations for AIDS British Scientists discover a hole in the earths Ozone Layer

POP CULTURE:

Coca-Cola introduces new Coke in July, but returned to the original formula 6 months later.Michael Jackson purchased all The Beatles songs and ATV music for $47 million dollarsSeveral artists including Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Bob Dylan, Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen recorded "We Are the World," as USA for Africa to raise funds for famine relief.
TOP 10 SONGS:


1.) WHAM - CARELESS WHISPER

2.) MADONNA - LIKE A VIRGIN

3.) WHAM - WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO-GO

4.) FOREIGNER - I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS

5.) CHAKA KHAN - I FEEL FOR YOU

6.) DARRYL HALL & JOHN OATES - OUT OF TOUCH

7.) TEARS FOR FEARS - EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD

8.) DIRE STRAITS - MONEY FOR NOTHING

9.) MADONNA - CRAZY FOR YOU

10.) A-HA - TAKE ON ME


Okay, at my husband's request I am listing the top 10 songs of R&B for 1985:

1.) Eddie Murphy - Party All The Time

2.) Whitney Houston - Saving All My Love For You

3.) The Time - Jungle Love

4.) Lionel Richie - Say You, Say Me

5.) Prince & The Revolution - Raspberry Beret

6.) Sade - Smooth Operator

7.) Kool & The Gang - Cherish

8.) Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam w/Full Force - I Wonder If I Take You Home

9.) Billy Ocean - Loverboy

10.) Whitney Houston - You Give Good Love



LIVE HAPPY!


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WRITING MY DREAMS,

CHELLE RAMSEY

PROJECT STATUS & GOOD READS

I am so excited about the progress of my projects lately. I am waiting for the final book cover edits back from my book designer, The Killion Group. They do awesome work and if you're looking for a cover designer at affordable rates, I highly suggest them. You can check out their works on Facebook or on the web. The work is excellent and professional with a two-week turnaround time; however, I usually receive my proofs before that time. They have pre-made book covers depending on what you're looking for or the genre you write in. However, I generally send them a few ideas of what I want on my cover and we work from there to design a unique book cover.

On Saturday I sent book three in The House of BeJeweled series to my Beta readers. Which means that it will go to my editor once I finish addressing the suggestions they provide in their feedback. I take every word they say to heart, because after all they are my readers, their opinions matter, and they read everything with a very critical eye. What they don't know is once they complete book 3, entitled, BeJeweled: Standing Strong, I have a completely different project waiting for them. As they finish that book, I hope to have book 4 ready next. I have been very busy lately.

I have also been working on re-vamping my website, which isn't ready yet. But I've changed the name to something much easier to remember...chelleramsey.com. I have also been busy planning my blog and radio tour for the book, and it is my prayer that you will join me on tour.

In the meantime, here's a list of books that I have read that you may want to check out on Amazon:

Seven Days of Friday - Alex A. King
I recently won a copy of Brenda Barrett's "Duet on Fire," in a contest on Facebook! So happy! :) I strongly urge you to check out her writings, as well, if you have not already done so.


READ WELL!


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WRITING MY DREAMS,

CHELLE RAMSEY

THE GREAT ESCAPE

It's a therapeutic Tuesday. And I'm sure most of my writer friends will agree that we need exactly that to give our best in our writings. With anybody living day to day, sometimes you need a great escape. I'm not taking a great escape today, but I am taking a day off from the office. So join me for a relaxing therapeutic Tuesday, as I mentally escape to an exotic island.





       LIVE REFRESHED!


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WRITING MY DREAMS,

 CHELLE RAMSEY

RISING ABOVE THE ADVERSITY

When life takes its toll I try to find ways to encourage myself and lift my spirits. That's what these Motivational Monday Moments are all about, lifting and encouraging your spirit and hoping that your week will be blessed.

Today as I think over the challenges and obstacles that I have overcome, and a book that I am working on, I can't help but think of Ms. Angelou's famous poem...Still I Rise. Today, I share this poem as a tribute to the challenges I have overcome from childhood to now. I share this poem as a tribute to you and the strength and the courage and the passion on the inside of you. Do not be bitter! Do not be broken! Be the beautiful, talented, you that He created you to be.

Still I Rise - Maya Angelou    
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

LIVE VICTORIOUS!


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WRITING MY DREAMS,

CHELLE RAMSEY

SUMMER VACATION_FOOD FRIDAYS

 School's out and it's easy to fall into quick and easy meals while we're on the go. But of course with any meal during summer break, you want it to be light and of course healthy. Today I'm sharing a summer corn and white bean soup recipe from My Recipes, which I believe fits both of these and it's also filling.

SUMMER CORN & WHITE BEAN SOUPIngredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup sliced green onions     3/4 cup chopped cooked ham (about 4 ounces)     3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 5 ears) 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 (15-ounce) cans navy beans, rinsed and drained 2 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 2 (4.5-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, undrained   PreparationHeat canola oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and ham, and cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in corn and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

You can find this recipe and more on My Recipes.

LIVE WELL!


I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share with others by clicking the social media icons below. Thank you for dropping by and don't be shy. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I love chatting with you. You can connect with me by using the social media icons on the left panel and above. Until the next time, I'm just...



WRITING MY DREAMS,
CHELLE RAMSEY
 

SAYIN' IT WITH PICS

This is the end of the school year for my kids. As we prepare to move into summer vacation, I am sad and glad to see another year gone past. Glad that we have passed up this year's school challenges, and sad that time is passing by so quickly. My kids are growing up at such a rapid rate that all I can do is reflect on yesteryear. Today's throwback Thursday post is reflecting on the year 2013 two years ago.

My son's award for scoring the highest grade on the Language Arts section of the CRCT in his school.
I had just cut all of my hair off and gone back to a relaxer after 1 year of being natural. It lasted a few months and I went natural again. (At this present time I have my hair relaxed again, after 2 years of being natural.)

One of my fave things, Big chocolate chip cookies. Given in love by my hubby and kids.


The first time I had ever been exposed to what we Southerners call "yella meat." Hmmm...
Finally finished school and could work on my books more. Yay! My MBA is complete.

LOVE LIFE!


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WRITING MY DREAMS,

CHELLE RAMSEY  

AN UNEXPECTED GUEST

On today's #writerwednesday I'm sharing another excerpt from BeJeweled: What A Tangled Web We Weave. Also known as BeJeweled 2, I'm so close to publishing this second book in the series and I'm excited!

Today's excerpt comes from a chapter entitled "Unexpected Guest." There's a saying that two's company, and three's a crowd. That has never been more true than in this instance. Read on...


UNEXPECTED GUEST:

Crossing her arms over her chest, she huffed a little and sucked her teeth. She caught a glimpse of Yvette, who was walking back towards them. She wore a smile, but confusion and uncertainty shone from underneath as she hopped into the front passenger seat.
Nikki didn’t know what to think of this little adventure. Obviously Yvette would be riding with them. The drive to Decatur from Alpharetta would be longer than normal, she was sure. Nikki couldn’t fathom what conversation they could possibly have. Discuss how attentive Wesley was in bed? Or how great a friend he was when a girl was down and out and feeling rejected? Or better yet, how he was such a stand-up guy even when just told a one night stand could have turned into him being the father of the woman’s unborn child, or maybe not. No, she couldn’t think of anything they had in common to discuss. At least not a comfortable topic of discussion.
Wesley quickly turned on an old Mystikal CD. The bass from “Here I Go” boomed through the car’s speakers.
Fine, Nikki thought, I’m not really up for conversing with these two culos, anyway.  She watched Wesley bouncing his head to the beat, flowing with the lyrics that poured from the speakers. Yvette had laid her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes.
Nikki fought hard to keep the tears from flowing. She didn’t understand why she was all of a sudden emotional. She really couldn’t be mad at him because he was involved with someone else. After all, she had been juggling him and her husband.
It was more than that. She realized she was jealous that he was involved with someone else, and someone who clearly had it going on. Just from the looks of Yvette, Nikki discerned that she probably had her act together. She drove a nice ride, dressed nice, and looked as if she took very good care of herself.
She didn’t want this female to see the run-down apartments she lived in and judge her. She was also praying that Carlos wouldn’t be outside when they pulled up. There would be more confusion than she was already dealing with. Why had she said she was going home to have dinner with her husband? She hadn’t been home in a while, and now that’s exactly where Wesley was taking her. But another part of her knew she needed to go home and deal with her truth.
As if reading her thoughts, Wesley spoke up. “Hey, wassup with your moms? Didn’t you tell me she lived in Sandy Springs?”
“Uh-huh. Off of Roswell Road. You know where Hammond Drive is?” she replied.
“Yep,” Wesley replied in a cool tone.
“She’s right off there on Harleston Road.”
“I know the area. Is it cool if I run you over there, instead?”
“Sure, that’ll be fine.”
“Wes! Take her home. She wants to go home. Why are you taking her to her mom’s house?” Yvette interjected. Get a copy of BeJeweled 1 now, before the release of Book 2.  READ WELL!


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WRITING MY DREAMS,
CHELLE RAMSEY

MY TUESDAY MONDAY

driverlayer.com
 
Yesterday was a relaxing and peaceful holiday. There was no hectic Monday blues for me. No stress of back to work blues. Nope! That was all reserved for today. It's back to work and I have today's work and the usual Monday responsibilities to handle. So, although yesterday was chill and peaceful, I am ready for a therapeutic Tuesday to keep me relaxed at work.

Take a scroll through some nice garden pics and listen to some music as you go about your day.


http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=6808&picture=spring-garden

http://www.hgtvgardens.com/bulbs/how-to-use-bulbs-in-your-garden
http://www.globalgardenfriends.com/2014/03/spring-has-sprung-6-ideas-for-enjoying-the-beautiful-spring-weather/


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2011/03/la-spring-garden-tours-.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7m3ea74NSU  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swW4OdyM4tE  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2gENJuhTt4

LIVE WELL!


I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share with others by clicking the social media icons below. Thank you for dropping by and don't be shy. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I love chatting with you. You can connect with me by using the social media icons on the left panel and above. Until the next time, I'm just...




WRITING MY DREAMS,
CHELLE RAMSEY

VICTORY_FOOD FRIDAYS

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Braised-Balsamic-Chicken/?prop24=hn_slide2_Tangy-Braised-Balsamic-Chicken&evt19=1This entire week has been focused on meals that are healthy in every possible way. We have not eaten pork, beef, fried foods, or junk food. I often feel much better when I eat this way, but it doesn't stop me from desiring my junk food. But I have the victory over my sweet tooth!


Here's today's Living Well Recipe taken from Allrecipes.com:


Ingredients Original recipe makes 6 servings         Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)
                        6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
                        1 teaspoon garlic salt
                        ground black pepper to taste
                        2 tablespoons olive oil
                        1 onion, thinly sliced
                                      1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
                        1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
                        1 teaspoon dried basil
                        1 teaspoon dried oregano
                        1 teaspoon dried rosemary
                        1/2 teaspoon dried thyme  PREP
10 mins COOK
25 mins READY IN
35 mins  DirectionsSeason both sides of chicken breasts with garlic salt and pepper.Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook seasoned chicken breasts until chicken is browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Add onion; cook and stir until onion is browned, 3 to 4 minutes.Pour diced tomatoes and balsamic vinegar over chicken; season with basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme. Simmer until chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear, about 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

LIVE WELL!


I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share with others by clicking the social media icons below. Thank you for dropping by and don't be shy. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I love chatting with you. You can connect with me by using the social media icons on the left panel and above. Until the next time, I'm just...



WRITING MY DREAMS,
CHELLE RAMSEY

PRAYER AS COMMUNICATION

Prayer...that's what I'm thankful for. Today's a thankful Thursday and as I write this post, I think about all the blessings in my life. Those that I show great appreciation for and those that I take for granted. However, the majority of my blessings have come by way of prayer. Whether it was my prayers or someone praying for me, I have been immensely blessed in this life.

Prayer is my way of communing with God. I recently spoke with a neighbor and had a discussion about some personal things. I told her to pray about it, and she said to me that she wasn't sure how to pray. I have often heard this from people when we discuss the topic of prayer. My response to her was the same one that my grandmother gave to me years ago. Talk to Him, as if you were talking to me.

Prayer doesn't always have to be this elaborate affair with big vocabulary words filled with quotes from Scripture. Don't get me wrong, there is a time for that type of prayer as well. But if you can't do that, you shouldn't allow it to stop you from praying. Talk to Him throughout the day about what's on your heart. Open up and converse with Him the way you would a dear friend. Ask Him to show you what He desires you to pray for. Sometimes, those prayers have nothing to do with us, but someone or something else.


Use prayer as an effective means to:

Communicate with God about your thoughts.Know Him on a more intimate and personal level.Understand His will for your life.Share the desires of your heart.Express your love for Him.Gain clarity about situations.Obtain direction for your life.
I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share with others by clicking the social media icons below. Thank you for dropping by and don't be shy. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I love chatting with you. You can connect with me by using the social media icons on the left panel and above. Until the next time, I'm just...



WRITING MY DREAMS,

CHELLE RAMSEY