An Ordinary Day...

Wednesday, April 12th started off as an ordinary day. The alarm sounded off at 6:00 a.m. like it always did. Reggie did his work day morning ritual, showering, grooming, selecting a suit and accessorizing with the perfect accents for Read more

Why are some people mean?

Why are some people mean? I'm not talking about a little mean, but bazaar, go out of their way to be mean. Recently I've encountered a few mean people, I remind myself that these situations will make me a stronger Read more

Maldives

Our last trip of 2016 was to the Maldives. Last year was one full of excursions, We traveled to Cameroon, Paris, Bali, Hawaii, New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Lake Tahoe, Atlanta, Napa, San Francisco, Dubai, and I must say Read more

Quote

It's okay to venture out of your comfort zone... Lately I've been doing it quite often. This weekend is going to be one of renewal, my personal Super Bowl. What are your plans? I will be working today and tomorrow. Happy Read more

Do you enjoy yourself?

Both of my kids are in New York, my son is in school in the Hudson Valley and my daughter is living in Brooklyn and working. So we are officially empty nesters, and have been so for a while Read more

Aging

Golden Gladiator #1 Rosetta

Posted on by Gigi in Aging, Girl Crush, gladiator, Inspiration, Mother's 5 Comments

I love celebrating women who live life to the fullest, especially women who are of a certain age, that are embracing who they are at every decade never missing a beat. So I am thrilled to present to you my first “golden gladiator” Rosetta.

Rosetta

Rosetta

 

Rosetta and I met when our girls were in pre-school 20 years ago. Initially it was a friendship based on our little girls, getting them together for their play dates.

They were like siamese twins, so of course our friendship blossomed over time we spent sitting in the park watching the girls and talking about everything. Now those girls are young ladies finished with college and starting their careers. Although we were blessed to be able to focus on our families, we never forgot about who we were as women, outside of our role of full time moms. I sat down with Rosetta and over a cup of tea we chatted about her recent graduation from law school (btw at the top of her class) at the young age of 56.

GIGI: I remember when we met, two things you shared with me: 1. that you were fluent in french and had lived in Paris 2. that you wanted to be a lawyer.

Rosetta: At the age of 15 I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. After graduating from USC I moved to Paris, while there I had a near fatal accident. I moved back to the states to recover. While home I attended a party where I met my husband, we got married started our family, and I put my law school dream on the top shelf.

Rosetta

Rosetta

GIGI: Why did you decide to go to law school now? I remember you went back to school in 2006 and completed your real estate license, and then you got your brokers license and had established your business and were doing quite well.

Rosetta: It was always my plan to get my law degree at some point. My older daughter had graduated from college and my younger daughter had started college so the time was right for me, my husband was supportive of my plan as well.

GIGI: Was it difficult returning to school, considering you were a little more “mature” than the other students? I remember when I returned to school many times I was older than my professors.

Rosetta: Not at all…quite the opposite, I was not “trying to meet someone” so there were no distractions, I was so much more prepared than some of my younger counterparts. I could manage my time- all those years of balancing my family and their lives came in handy. I also stood out in my class, I “dressed everyday” the younger students were very casual and I was focused on my course work.

GIGI: Were there times when you got discouraged?

Rosetta: Yes, every semester I doubted myself. But what kept me going was my husband, morning runs with my running partner Angie, and my support system of 3 women who I met with regularly. I also always had a positive attitude and studied nonstop, basically I did what ever I had to do to do the work.

GIGI: What is your passion? And any advice to those who may be thinking about making a life change, later in life?

Rosetta: My passion is for women and property. Through my real estate business I have seen so many women who are not prepared and as a result they end up in poverty by making uninformed decisions. My advice is to follow your passion whatever it is, and never give up. Do not let your age be a deterrent.

GIGI: Well I know you will make a difference and come up with a plan or a program empowering women you have always been a “giver” as long as I have known you.

Rosetta J.D.

Rosetta J.D.

Rosetta I want to share with my followers some of your tips on “keeping it together” you are beautiful inside and out and your body is slamming…

1. Pray everyday

2. I fast 2 days per week

3. I run 2 to 3 times per week (6 miles)

4. 2 days per week I go to the gym and do strength training

5. sit ups, push ups, hydrants 200 per day of each

6. weigh daily

7.watch my diet, but I don’t deprive myself of a treat now and then

8. always purpose to weigh what it says on my license on my birthday

9. Peace

There you have it from gladiator Rosetta…with her plan we would all be ready for “battle”.

Rosetta

Rosetta

Happy Weekend Everybody

XOXO,

GIGI

Enhanced by Zemanta

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Posted on by Gigi in Holiday, Mother's Comments Off on HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Brunches will be filled, flowers delivered, perfumes sprayed, trinkets opened, baubles given, to Mothers being honored for Mother’s Day all over the country. Mothers have so many roles and duties within the family. We are responsible for the physical, psychological and social development of others. We are the therapists, accountants, domestic housekeepers, chefs, gardeners, drivers, C.E.O.s, C.F.O.s, nurses, companions, teachers, fashion consultants, photographers, hair stylists, mediators, IT person, decorators, party planners, spiritual leaders,  bakers, confidants, writers, tutors, and lovers.  We mothers are everything for so many, and most of the time we do it graciously with a smile. So celebrate the mothers in your life this weekend and let them know how much you appreciate the sacrifices they have made for you.

"The Manhattan"

Amani & I

Amani, Gigi & Reggie

Amani, Gigi & Reggie

These are my kid-lets. I will see my son on Sunday and celebrate, Amani is in New York and I see will see her next month.

Unknown-3Unknown-7Unknown-4images-43Unknown-8images-5HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

XOXO,

Gigi

 

 


Things I Learned From My Mother

Posted on by Gigi in Mother's 6 Comments
My mother and father early 60's

My mother and father early 60’s

There are a lot of posts around the blogosphere about Mother’s Day and what it means, or gift suggestions for that special mom in your life. One that spoke to me was titled “What have you learned from your mom?”. I had never thought about that. There were the obvious things that came to mind such as “learning right from wrong” etc. But I wanted to dig a little deeper and come up with what I really LEARNED from my mother, Peggy (Geraldine).

Not in any particular order:

1. ALWAYS “watch” your weight. “I was wearing my same size a few weeks after I had my babies, I never wanted to be fat. What size are you wearing now?”

2. MARRY a nice man that can provide for the family. “There is nothing somebody broke can do for me. What does he do and where does he live?”

3. LONG hair is important, preferably straight. “Why did you cut your hair like that?” and “Are you ever going to get your hair “done” again?”

4. SEND your coffee back if it is not boiling (that applies to soups, tea and any other liquids) “Excuse me, this coffee is not hot, and I want a fresh cup.”

5. DON’T be a “BED BUNNY” hopping from bed to bed.  “Are you seeing someone? Is he your boyfriend? I met someone and got married again and I had 4 kids and was 38 years old. You are almost 30…”

6. GET your degree! “I know you have a business but when are you going to finish your degree?”

7. DON”T buy cheap clothes. “There is nothing I would ever buy in those cheap stores like Walmart, I don’t know how people do that…”

8. IT is important to have a house by any means necessary. “I could not and would not ever live in an apartment.”

9. CLEAN around the back of the toilet and underneath the bowl. “I know how to clean.”

10. USE lay away even if you can’t afford the item. “I wanna put this on lay away, please.”

11. LOOK nice everyday. “I would never go out like that.”

12. LOOKS are important. “What does he look like?”

13. PREPARE fresh food, do not use can or frozen food. “Did you make that from “scratch?”

and lastly…

14. ALWAYS put your kids first. “I always made a way for my kids…matter of fact I did to much for them. My kids never did with out.”

What did you learn from your mom? Please share.

XOXO,

GIGI


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers:




Designed by: Kgrafix Creative Design