Chelle Ramsey's Blog, page 41

THROWING BACK WITH OUR GIRLS_#TBT

It's another #tbt and we're sharing our Throwback Thursday "girlfriend photos."





 My niece Renata and her best girlfriend "Ne-Ne" having a night out on the town. These 2 ladies go all in when it comes to enjoying life. Whether they are traveling around the country, or hanging out kicking it in the 'Nati, they are living life like it's golden.   
circa 2011-2012 My fellow author friend, Te` Russ and her bestie Orara Fletcher. Anyone who knows Te` knows she's always looking for a little adventure in her life...hence the zebra. I don't even want to guess what Orara might be up to. These two are often clowning around and having a good time. It was supposed to be Te's daughter's birthday celebration, but I think they were having more fun than the kids.  



1992
My best girlfriend Ros. I was 19 and she was 18 when this picture was taken. She was attempting to escape from having her pic taken. I had dragged her back into the room. She knew she wanted her photo moment. We were best friends from the time that I was 14 until I moved to Ohio when I was 25. We kept in contact but over the next 6 years it was sporadic. When I returned in 2004 we reconnected briefly off and on. The last time that I heard from her was May 2008. I miss this girl dearly to this day!


   2000 Charlie's Angels! Nikki, me, and Deb! These were my girls and they knew how to have fun. We're taking a brief photo opp during our break at work. I met these wonderful ladies while working at the YMCA in Cincinnati, OH. This pic was taken in 2000after I had just had my daughter. They always bring life to the party and definitely keep the laughs going. Their spirits are as beautiful as they are and I miss them so much! I owe them a big visit when I return to Ohio next time. I missed them on the last two visits. But they know that I still love them.    2008 This angel is my heart. She has really taught me the true meaning of friendship. I met her at the same time I met Nikki and Deb. I can return back to Ohio and hook up with her once again and it's like we never missed a beat. This pic was taken on the day of my stepson's funeral after everything was over. She and her wonderful husband, Joey, invited us back to their home with their neighbors to relax and just "breathe." She's the one in partnership with my husband who encouraged me to pursue my writing dreams.

2012(L-R: Veronica, Tiffany, Me, Glynnis, & Alimah)
February 2012 Book Club before I became a published author. I don't even recall what the book was we were reading, and I don't know if we got to discuss it too much. The only thing that I remember is that the food was good, the company was good, and the glass of "such and such" was definitely good!
Usually I host the meetings at my house and we might have something light. I'm not sure what our hostess put in our drinks that night (they were soooo good!), but all I do know is that I'm not a drinker and whatever I did that night or didn't do...I plead the 5th. What I do know is that I was on tilt, my attitude was on tilt, and I'm sure my actions were, too.
That night I drove my husband's truck to the book club meeting. My girlfriend, G, (to my left in the picture and your right) had to drive me home that night. She picked up my husband so he could get his truck and bring it back home. We were only 5 minutes away from home...I never caught the lecture that night because I was out of it before he came back home.
These ladies all mean something special to me and have taught me something about life and even about myself. From Veronica and Tiffany and to Glynnis and Alimah, these women are exceptional and beautiful in every form and facet, despite disagreements, wild times and confusion! I've not seen some of them in quite a while, but I still love them fiercely!
"G" has had my back in so many ways and I love her for it. From Girl Scouts to Beta Club, to band and through middle and high school...we connected through our kids, but our bond far surpasses that. If you've got a bestie, tell her you love her today.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until the next time I'm just...
WRITING MY DREAMS, CHELLE RAMSEY

FRIDAY NIGHT FEAST II_WRITER WEDNESDAY

This week's theme is all about girlfriends. We've all had them whether they grew up with us, met them in high school, or after we were grown they've been a critical part of our lives. Some gave you a shoulder to cry on when he broke your heart, while still others took you out to party to forget all about that loser. Then there were those who set you up on that blind date that you'll never forget and always live to regret. Whether you were the one bailing her out of trouble, or she was the one taking off her earrings and rubbing Vaseline on her fists to have your back, she's been right there through it all.

Today's #writerwednesday brings you a special group of women from my novel, Is The Grass Really Greener?

Five women, five lives, five secrets. Each woman is battling her own personal demons, and hiding a secret from her friends and family.
Each of them envying one another's life, wishing her life was different, wishing she had what the other woman had. But what happens when what appears to be real, is all a façade? Battling breast cancer, single parenthood, infidelity, the loss of a child, and managing the single life, can become overwhelming for these ladies.

Not satisfied with their lives, looking for something better, they contemplate alternative choices to improve their lives; crossing over to the other side of the fence is a very real possibility. They can't see beyond the choices they make, but they must be held accountable for them.

And after they have crossed the fence, they realize two things simultaneously. Yes, the grass was greener on the other side; and their grass could have been just as green, had they taken care of it.


  EXCERPT: FEBRUARY FRIDAY NIGHT FEAST II 
Each woman retreated into silence, thinking about her own personal demons she was battling. Davina felt as though she were betraying each woman that night by holding the secret and not telling the truth about Pavi. She knew they all loved her with an equal amount of affection, but she couldn’t betray her friend’s secret either. Damn you, Pavi, she thought, why did you put me in this predicament?
“We should do the life swap thing, but call it something different and take turns living each other’s lives. I think it would give us a new appreciation for each other,” Rayne suggested.
“Girl, you done lost your damn mind!” Davina said, “I love you, but I ain’t sharing my man with no one,” she said, rolling her neck and wagging her finger from side to side.
“I’m not saying sharing your man. But just like on the show they go into each other’s homes and see how the others live. I mean we’ve known each other for years and we know each other’s families, hell, we are family. But to truly have an appreciation for others and even our own lives I think we should do a swap,” Rayne explained in a serious tone.
“Hmpph…I’m down for it, if it will get me away from the tension in my home,” Courtney said only half teasing.
“Well I will go in and make that fine ass Nate forget all his worries,” Christina joked, “or that fine ass Ronnie. Both of y’all men got it going on!” she said, holding her glass in the air for a toast.
“Uh uh, hell no, Hot Tina. You are not sharing anything with my man and if I so much as see you looking at him cross eyed, this girl gon’ take you for a few rounds in the ring,” Davina said, checking Christina.
“I don’t think it would be such a bad idea. We might actually gain something to make our own lives better by doing it,” Courtney stated.
“Mmm hmmm,” Christina said, “I’m open if you ladies are. Just don’t mess up my black book, is all.”
“What are we going to do about our jobs, though?” Courtney asked. “I know I couldn’t go on the news and do Chris, and trying to manage all that you do, Davina, I would lose my mind. You are so freaking organized,” she complimented.
“Well it won’t matter, ‘cuz it ain’t gonna happen,” Davina said.
“Come on D, just think about it; don’t shut your mind off. Aren’t you the one that always encourages us to think outside the box and live a little?” Rayne pleaded.
“Look, I might be a freak, but I ain’t thatkind of freak,” she replied.
“It’s not being a freak, ‘Vina…it’s just doing something different. I really agree with Rayne. We should try it,” Courtney said.
“Yea, and all that damn therapy done went to your head; you’re a psych case if you think my husband is about to go for it, even if I did,” Davina said.
“All I’m saying is you shouldn’t knock something before you try it. Hell, I’ll even talk to Ronnie for you,” Christina said with a sly smile on her face and a wink.
“Uh huh, I bet you will. That’s why it aint’ gonna happen. I come back home and I won’t have a man…slut,” Davina said, laughing and downing the last of her champagne in her glass.
Davina was seriously denying it, but the other three ladies were deep in contemplation. And that’s the way Ronnie found them when he returned with the kids.
“What’s going on, ladies?” he asked, peering his head into the room where they were.
“Nothing.”
“Oh you know…girl talk.”
“Same ol’ same ol’.”
“Okay, well you all keep on with what you were doing…the kids and I are headed upstairs; don’t let us stop y’all from whatever,” he replied, leaving the room.
Ronnie could tell that something was off; his wife was leaning back on the couch with a smirk on her face and not saying anything.
“Ladies, you know the saying…the grass is always greener on…” Davina started.
“…the other side of the fence,” the other ladies chimed in as they clinked glasses.

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY TODAY

IS THE GRASS REALLY GREENER?

I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until the next time I'm just...
WRITING MY DREAMS, CHELLE RAMSEY

AIN'T NOBODY_ADRIENNE THOMPSON

Today it is not only my honor, but my pleasure to host author Adrienne Thompson on Writing My Dreams. It's a new release day for Adrienne, and she's stopped by to share her newest women's fiction release, Ain't Nobody. And when I tell you this book has definitely peeked my interest, I can't wait to get my hands on my own copy! During our week of "Girlfriends" theme, let's all celebrate and support our girlfriend, Adrienne, on her new release. Happy Release Day, Adrienne! So, read the excerpt below and then go out and get your copy! I'm getting mine now... New Release: Ain’t Nobody by Adrienne Thompson
About The Book:
Genre: African American Women’s Fiction/Interracial-Multicultural Romance
Release Date: January 27, 2015

Blurb:
With her biological clock ticking like a time bomb, Alex Weaver issues her long-time commitment-phobic boyfriend an ultimatum. Soon, things are back on track and Alex is well on her way to her “happily ever after.” That is, until she makes a discovery that rocks her to her core. When Alex decides to take control of her future, she begins to make some life-altering decisions that set her on the path of fulfilling her goal of having a family. But will she be able to deal with the consequences?

Excerpt:
Prologue:
Sometimes a woman’s just had enough. No matter how she may feel about a man. No matter how much she loves him and wants to be with him, there’s always that one, teeny tiny little straw—the last straw.  It usually pops up after she’s done all she can humanly possibly do to make things work. She’s cooked for him, cleaned for him, praised him, had sex with him, ignored his annoying ways, and yet, she still finds herself holding the short end of the stick. 
 
As I sat there on the side of Quincy’s bed, the last straw flew in through the bedroom window and landed right on my camel’s back. Quincy, my fiancé and the love of my life, was in the shower whistling. He was whistling like he didn’t have a care in the world. He was whistling like I wasn’t thirty-seven and kicking the hell out of forty. He was whistling like I wasn’t unmarried and childless. Like we hadn’t been engaged for five years.  Five years. He was whistling like he hadn’t refused to set a wedding date. Like my biological clock wasn’t ticking as loud as a time bomb.
 
I’d been with Quincy Wright for eight years. I’d been his lover and friend. I’d bent over backwards, neglected my own needs, and done all I could do to be a good woman. I wanted a husband and I wanted children and he knew it. We’d discussed it at length. And what was his response? His black behind was in the shower whistling. That was it and whether he knew it or not, it was over. O-V-E-R.
 
Link to Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/RqJrao7MZhM
Link to Book Soundtrack: http://ow.ly/HTy53
 
Purchase Links:
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RW1VDFQ
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00RW1VDFQ
 
Author Bio:


Adrienne Thompson has worn many titles in her lifetime–from teenage mother to teenage wife to divorcee to registered nurse to author. This mother of two young adults and one teenager currently resides in Arkansas with her daughter where she writes and publishes her stories full time.
     You can connect with her at:
Website: http://adriennethompsonwrites.webs.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrienneThompsonWrites  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_H_Thompson
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ahthompsn/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ahthompsn/
Tumblr: http://authoradriennethompson.tumblr.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/muusikluvver

Thank you!! 
I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until the next time I'm just...


WRITING MY DREAMS,

CHELLE RAMSEY

GIRLFRIENDS_MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY MOMENT

A good friend knows all your stories. A best friend helped you write them. - UNKNOWN (Stylecaster.com)

She's been that shoulder to lean on, the one who gave you hope when you were hopeless. She was the only one who understood your brand of crazy and she was your ride or die chick when it was time to bring it! You've shared her scariest secrets and she's comforted you in your most embarrassing moments. She's your best friend.

We've all been lucky enough to have at least one in this lifetime, and if you're like me, you've had two. Not everyone you can call a friend, but she was the one that had your back until the very end. It's "Girlfriend" week here at Writing My Dreams. Whether she was your mom, sister, cousin, or even your daughter she was one of the best things in life to ever happen to you.

It may have been some time since you last spoke or saw one another, but when you get together again it's like you haven't missed a beat. Don't let too much time pass without letting your girl know how important she is to you.

And if you're upset with one another at the moment, squash it because life is too short to hold grudges. Forgive her for whatever she's done and keep it moving. After all, if you want your Heavenly Father to forgive you of your sins, then you must forgive others. And if you've wronged her, be woman enough to pick up the phone today and ask her forgiveness. She might be missing you as much as you're missing her. And you know you are.

Today pick up the phone, shoot her a text or email...whatever your preferred mode of communication, let your girl know that you appreciate her for having your back. And don't forget to tell her that you love her 'til the end...cuz she's truly a ride-or-die, and in the words of my girl "G," you'll always be down like 4 flats.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until the next time I'm just...

WRITING MY DREAMS,
CHELLE RAMSEY 

THE BUILDING BLOCKS TO A FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP

The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.
Rumi

When you meet the one that's meant for you, you will know it beyond a shadow of a doubt. It's not required that the person fit the ideal image that your family, friends, or loved ones believe they should fit. It's not required that they fit into the mold that they have dreamt of for your particular life. The only thing that's required is that the person loves you unconditionally and treats you well.

We receive words of advice and wisdom from those closest to us on how to handle our relationships. Everyone from your parents to the elderly neighbor wants to give you advice.

Friendship is the most important factor of any relationship. Can you sit in companionable silence with each other? Do you have one another's back? Can you share the world with him/her? Can you sit and kick it about nothing and everything for hours on end? Whether you started out as friends or grow into friends, friendship with the one you love is critical to the survival of the relationship.

What I've learned?
It's impossible for anyone to give you relationship advice. Why? No one knows the other person in the relationship and how they react to you and how you react to them. The best person to listen to in that relationship is the other person. No one  can tell you best how to treat him/her, except him/her.

When you listen, heed, and respect that person's feelings you're building the most beautiful friendship in the world.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until the next time I'm just...

WRITING MY DREAMS,CHELLE RAMSEY 

THROWBACK THURSDAY_FRIENDS 2 LOVERS

It's #throwbackthursday on Friends 2 Lovers week. My best friend, Marvelous taught me everything that I know about everything. He's believed in me from the beginning to the end, even when I didn't believe in myself. He's the reason that I share my writings, the reason this blog exists, the reason my works are published today. He gave me the courage to speak my mind and shape my own perspective on life. He freed me from the limited confines of my former thinking. When he walked into my life in October 1995, I had no idea that life as I knew it would never be the same again...


One of the earliest pics I could find was March 2002 when we took our new babies to Chuck E. Cheese.



My baby, thanks to his risk safety management practices, his company won an all expense paid trip to Gatlinburg, TN. (June 2002)


 I officially became Mrs. Ramsey, June 28, 2003...seven years after our relationship began.    He's always supported me in pursuing my dreams. I couldn't have finished school without his support. In June 2012 I received my Bachelor's in HRM. I would go on to get my MBA afterwards with the love and support of him and our kids. 


Now it's my turn to be his cheerleader. I'm his #1 X-Box cheerleader. LOL!!! December 2013

 On a day when I'm supporting him after he laid his brother to rest, he still takes out time to show me love. (December 2014).   I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until the next time I'm just...
 WRITING MY DREAMS, CHELLE RAMSEY

WRITER WEDNESDAY_FRIENDS TO LOVERS

As I stated Monday, this week's all about going from Friends to Lovers. It's exciting when you discover that you have feelings for someone who has been a friend for a long time. What's even more exciting is when you find that the feelings are mutual between the two of you. And exploring those feelings can be an emotional roller coaster ride.

Lately I've been working on the third installment of The House of BeJeweled series. And today I'm going to share the raw, unedited excerpt from the 11th chapter: Friends to Lovers. Rory and Wesley have been co-workers for years and really good friends. She's stood by and watched him recover from a broken heart twice. Well they say the third time's the charm and she's determined to be that lucky charm hanging around his neck.


CHAPTER 11_FRIENDS TO LOVERS


Making peace with the fact that both he and Nikki had choices to make, Wesley had put her out of his mind. He was cordial to her at work, but for the most part he stayed out of her way and she stayed out of his. He didn’t want to influence her decision about divorce one way or the other.
He was cleaning the room after his client had departed when he heard a knock at the door. Turning around, he saw Rory standing there with a mischievous smile on her lips.
“Hey, there,” he greeted.
“Hi, yourself,” she said, walking into the room closing the door behind her.
“What’s going on, girl?” he asked, turning his back to her and putting his bottle of disinfectant back into the locked cabinet. He walked to the door preparing to open it. He knew that it didn’t look good if the two of them were in the room together with the door closed. That wasn’t a game he liked to play, he hadn’t even taken that chance with Nikki. Although Mrs. Olivia was seldom around anymore, he knew she didn’t like that and he wanted to give her the same respect he would if she were here.
“Can you stop for just a moment? I know the rules, but I need to talk to you for a sec,” Rory said, placing her hand over his stopping him from opening the door. Standing at 5’11” he towered over her petite 5’2” frame. She glanced up at him with an appealing look in her slanted hazel eyes, which he could not resist.
“Sure, what’s up?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I just want to apologize to you. I know I’ve been distant and I’ve given you a really hard time these last few months. I think you were going through enough on your own without me adding to it.” She cleared her throat before proceeding. “I really cherished our friendship and I know you did, too. It took a while for me to realize that you were trying to protect that friendship and I appreciate that, Wes. But, I want you to know that I’m very much attracted to you. And while I know that you care about me and wanna protect me, I need you to know that I’m a big girl and I can handle myself,” Rory said, pressing her hand against her chest. She continued on, “I just want you to give me a shot. If it doesn’t work for you, I can handle it.” Rory had been standing in front of him while giving her speech. At that moment, she placed her hands on the side of his face and pulled him down towards her.
She softly, but firmly pressed her lips against his. Wesley placed his large hands on a small waist and then lowered his hold to grasp firm round hips. Rory moved her right hand behind his head and softly caressed his neck, encouraging him to go deeper with his kiss. Her tongue tasted like butterscotch in his mouth, and her kisses were soft and cool as they explored each other’s mouths.
Wesley didn’t deny her one single bit. If this was how she wanted it, then why should he deny her? He was done playing the good guy role, it hadn’t worked for him. Hell, Rory was a helluva girl, and neither one of them had ties to anyone else. Why not give her a shot? He thought. She rubbed both of her hands up and down his face as she began gyrating her hips in circular motions. He held her closer to him as she began to moan.
“Damn, girl, why here? Why now?” he asked, pulling back. “Come on, I gotta get you outta here before someone finds us in here together.”
“Why, are you worried about someone finding us?” she teased, looking devilish as the overhead lights danced around in her hazel eyes.
“Nah, but you should be. I think enough drama has been going on lately for us to be concerned about appearances.”
“Let ‘em think whatever they want to, we’re two grown adults.” He couldn’t tell if the pink coloring in her small puckered lips were from the lip gloss she wore, or the kiss they had just shared. But damn, them lips was doing something to him right now. He had thoughts about what he would like to see those lips doing.
“I tell you what, what you got planned tonight?” he asked.
“Whateva you tell me to,” she taunted, as she licked her lips and smiled at him.
“A’ight, I see ya. What time you get outta here?”
“I should be done by seven,” Rory replied.
“Cool, you flow on home, get changed up and I’ll pick you up about eight. How that sound?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow to see if she was game.
“Panties or no?” she asked, with a little fire and sass in her voice.
“Baby, it’s up to you. Cuz ain’t no pair of panties ever stopped me.”
“Mmm, I bet they haven’t,” she said, and opened the door to leave the room.
She walked out just as Nikki was walking towards the break room. Rory tossed a look over her shoulder at the room she had just exited, making sure that Nikki saw.
Wesley closed the door behind Rory and missed seeing Nikki go into the break room. He needed to get some things under control before he went back out into the salon.
I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until the next time I'm just...
 
WRITING MY DREAMS,CHELLE RAMSEY 

FRIENDS TO LOVERS

This week is "Friends & Lovers" week. All of my posts will center around that central theme.

Today I'm sharing snippets of the love lives of some people who enjoy beautiful marriages today. I'll start with my own...

SOUL MATES...it was their destiny to be. The first one that you opened up to and shared your most intimate secrets, and deepest fears shortly after meeting, you knew they were the one.

Confused, no direction, frightened of her own shadow, not having a voice of her own, and lacking insight. That was me in 1995. I will never forget the year that I met my husband, Marvin, or Marvelous as I like to call him. We worked together in separate departments at a large clothing store and became close friends over the course of the next six months. It was a beautiful friendship, which would eventually blossom into a wonderful love affair. I trusted him like I had never trusted another.

After getting to know him over those next 6 months, I decided one day to let him know where we stood. Women were crazy about him and I had to stake my claim. Very short and to the point it went something like this:

Me: You know I'm your woman right?

Him: No...I didn't know that.

Me: Well I am.

We've been together every since. We married seven years after being in a relationship and we will celebrate 12 years of marriage this year. The Lord has blessed us with 4 children (2 we brought into the marriage & 2 we had in the relationship) and 2 grandchildren.  


Nineteen years later after we started dating and he has helped me to gain understanding and shown me guidance, he has taught me to be afraid of nothing, showed me how to project my voice, helped mold my perspective, and allowed me to become empowered by understanding the power of Holy Spirit within me. - Chelle Ramsey


FRIENDS BEFORE LOVERS...some of the people that I connected with state that they have known their spouses many years and were long-time friends before getting married.

"I've known my wife since I was in 3rd grade. She lived four houses away from me. We lost contact for many years and then reconnected when I was 28. Got married a year later."
-Emanuel Carpenter.

"Met mine in high school. We hooked up after our 10 yr reunion. A year later we married. 18yrs." -LaShaunda Hoffman


"My husband & I met when we were 12 and 14. We dated off and on for many years, when we
were 22 and 25 we had a daughter. When she was a year he moved to Florida!! In 99 he tried to get me & the kids to move down here, but I was married...we ended up losing contact. In July 2010 we found each other on FB, started talking & realized that spark was still there, by Nov 2010 the kids and I moved down here and we married 4th of July 2012 never been happier. I didn't finally find my true love...I had him all along, I just finally got smart and kept him in my life!!!!!"
-Traci Gressler Estes





WHIRLWIND ROMANCES...other people that I connected with shared that they only knew their spouses a short time before getting married.

"...only six months and we were engaged. Six months later, we were married and that was 33years ago. I was only 20."
- Barbara Joe Williams




"We bumped into each other on the street. Perfect strangers. He asked for my number, I said no. He asked for my name, and I told him, LaQuette. He tracked me down 3 days later on MySpace.

After 4 months of biding his time as my "friend," (I wasn't willing to entertain anything else, was enjoying being single for the first time in my life, and getting to know each other, he proposed. He was so smooth that I hadn't even realized I was in a relationship. But when he asked me, even though we hadn't been a couple (at least in my mind anyway), I knew it was right and said yes.

Best decision of my life. 7 years together, 6 years married, 2 beautiful children. He wakes up everyday with one goal in mind, making all of my dreams come true. How can you not love a man like that?"
-LaQuette





COMPUTER LOVE...social media played a large part in another person's marriage:

"It was the era of Black Planet...before Facebook was...everything. I was a freshman in college when we met online. He was self employed and a young single father. I was 19, he was 22. He will tell you that he knew the moment he saw my photograph that I was his. Me on the other hand...not so much. In fact, I liked someone else when we first met. I told him that I wasn't dating, but there was someone that had the potential of becoming more. He respected that and we merely talked as friends. The more we talked, the more I enjoyed him. At one point he told me, 'You know...you're gonna fall in love with me.' I told him he was crazy. Long story short a few weeks later we were dating and I was absolutely in love with him. Eight months later we were married at the courthouse during my college fall break. I finished the semester and relocated so we could live together. We now have three kids a dog, and will be celebrating our tenth anniversary this year."
-Te` Russ

I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until the next time I'm just...


WRITING MY DREAMS,

CHELLE RAMSEY

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE_MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY MOMENT

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." James 1:22-24 (King James Version)

"22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. " (NIV_New International Version).

On yesterday my pastor preached this Scripture in conjunction with another Scripture. It was interesting to me because I have never quite understood this message in its entirety and was amazed to learn that he said he didn't always understand it either. But Holy Spirit gave him a revelation, which he shared with us and made it easier for me to understand.

We often hear the word of God, and repeat the word of God, but we don't always live the word of God. Walking in the way that His Word counsels us to would allow our lives to be a direct reflection of the Word. Just as we look into the mirror and see a direct reflection of our image, people should be able to look into our lives and see a direct reflection of the Word of God. Don't allow the things you have learned in hearing His Word to be forgotten soon after you hear it, but rather implement it into your life so that you will never forget it.

I believe that's exactly what Dr. King did. He not only preached the Scriptures, but he also lived them in a life of service, of promoting peace, and one of love. Every day should be a day where we serve and love others in some form. It is great that on Martin Luther King's birthday observance that we get out and do acts of volunteerism, but I think every day should be a reflection of the love of God that King preached about.

Every day we should serve to make someone's life better, whether it is through a random act of kindness, a word of encouragement, a shared prayer, or giving to those less fortunate, let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to God in Heaven above. (Matthew 5:16).

Go forward this week and be that light that shines forth into someone else's darkness.



I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until the next time I'm just...


WRITING MY DREAMS,CHELLE RAMSEY 

CELEBRITY GOSSIP GONE WILD_FUN FRIDAY

 Today's gossip is all about the fun and games. I have included a word scramble for you below. See if you can unscramble the names of these top news making celebrities of the last few years. They have kept gossip tongues wagging in some form or other. The answers are posted on my FB page here: Author Chelle Ramsey

AKET UNTOP___________________________________
RCBUE EEJNNR_________________________________
AMLECIH ONJASCK_____________________________
GRTIE OWSDO__________________________________
YAM UIEWNSHEO_______________________________
RD. CAODNR YRRMUA__________________________
YAEKN` TESW__________________________________
MAAM NJEU____________________________________
NRFEEIJN CLEWEARN___________________________
GIYG ALAAEZ__________________________________
TSPHEEN OCNLLSI______________________________
LNADRO WGGENRSREZAHC_____________________
WIEHNYT NOHOUTS____________________________
EJESS JMASE___________________________________
MKI HKAISDAANR______________________________
GSLNEOA______________________________________


It's been fun hanging out with you all this week and catching up on the latest gossip. But remember, if you find yourself at the other end of the spectrum, throw on your shades



and as Nene does...keep it popping!


And to put it in the words of one of my followers earlier this week, "Watch out for those 'Gossip Folks'.
  As suggested by my follower, I think I'll play Missy Elliott's hit:




I hope you enjoyed this post. If so, please share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until the next time I'm just...


 WRITING MY DREAMS,CHELLE RAMSEY