Archives for April 2013

My BIG, HUGE Announcement: I Have A New Baby-And It’s A Girl!!!!

April 30, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 11 Comments

Remember back on April 1st when I told you that I would have a special announcement to make at the end of the month?

Well, my BIG, HUGE announcement is:

I Have A New Baby-And It’s A Girl!!!!

*Beaming with pride*

Just kidding. Sort of.

(I am shrieking with laughter, because even when I’m totally serious, I play too much).

I don’t have THAT kind of new baby!

No, I have THIS kind:

You’re looking at the brand new face of my upcoming blog and website:

For Church Girls

Traditional . . . .Yet Contemporary Women

That’s right, I’m launching a new blog designed specifically for women of faith. The Proverbs 31 woman in the Old Testament and the businesswoman Lydia of the New Testament serve as the inspirations for the blog. Both were traditional women in that they were women of faith – yet they were contemporary for their time.

The purpose of For Church Girls is to serve as the go-to blog for women of faith. The blog will focus on spiritual things including inspiration, empowerment, and personal enrichment, as well as natural things that are also of interest and concern, including health, wellness, hair, fashion, and beauty. Moving forward, we will also hold monthly empowerment calls featuring guests who will lead discussions on a variety of topics.

This has been a particularly exciting week for me, not just because I’m undertaking this new venture, but because other bloggers like Christelyn Karazin of Beyond Black & White are forming networks and coalitions, and launching new websites.

This is a win-win situation for women seeking quality content.

I recently completed a Blogging School conducted by Rosetta Thurman, Blog Mistress of the Happy Black Woman. The class was filled with women who are starting new blogs and launching websites.

Writer and social commentator Angela Gatlin Keys is working on a new website. Celebrity stylist Kaye Flewellen of Just Ask Kaye is working on a new book and companion website, as is blogger Toni M, Blog Mistress of Petals.

Just this Monday, blogger LC Coleman of Colored Girl Confidential launched a new online networking and accountability group called The Colored Water Fountain.

And as for A Swirl Girl? Well, she’s going to Keep Calm And Swirl On!

No worries; this blog will continue. I’ve got more good stuff coming up, including a special guest post from dating advice specialist and freelance writer Miranda Santiago, who will share some juicy tidbits about interracial dating and Latin men. Look for more profiles of interracial romance writers, and stories and photos from interracial couples.

And, of course, news and updates regarding my Swirling activity.

Back to the matter at hand:

Isn’t it wonderful that bloggers and writers are pursuing and fulfilling their dreams? And that’s the beauty of dreams: Everyone can have a dream, a goal, a vision – and everyone can realize their dreams.

The vision I foresee in For Church Girls is a website that serves as a safe haven for women of faith. Far too often these days, “Church Girls” are portrayed in a negative light, and viewed as thirsty, man hungry, gullible hypocrites who are silly and vapid. Yes, the Bible aptly describes such women; they do exist. Their egregious behavior needs to be challenged! Even though For Church Girls will project a nurturing environment, we won’t coddle anybody: Stinkin’ thinkin’ and behavior will be called out and addressed!

Our launch is set for May 11, 2013.

Till then, head on over and sign up for our updates to ensure you don’t miss a bit of the action!

Join in the Fray: What’s your opinion of modern-day “Church Girls?”

I have blogged every day in the month of April for BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading and do leave a comment!

So Much To Say . . . So Little Time!

April 29, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 3 Comments

I have so much to tell you! I promise to catch you up tomorrow.

P.S. I have a HUGE announcement to make, so stay tuned! Woot Woot!

Join in the Fray: What projects are you working on?

I’m blogging every day in the month of April for BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading and do leave a comment!

The Cure For BIG Mistakes

April 28, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

My Mom and Dad do a great job of keeping up with the progress I’m making (or not) on my dissertation. Last week I was a bit bummed out about the edits I learned I’d have to make after hearing back from the Quality Reviewers. I got past it, squared my shoulders, and determined that I would Keep Calm And Write On.

After my Mother was assured that I was ok, she sprung into action. She’d seen something at the Dollar General that would be perfect for me. When I came in Friday evening, She had this waiting for me:

Of course the size of eraser brought a smile to my face. Even so, I know my Mother well enough to know that: (a) She wasn’t trying to make a joke, and (b) because she knows me so well, she knew I needed it and would use it. (I usually write before I type, and as a result I’ve amassed a vast collection of mechanical pencils). I erase. Often.

The writing on the eraser proudly proclaims: “For BIG Mistakes.” I thought about those words, what an eraser does, and wished the Dollar General made one that could be used on life’s big mistakes.

Have you ever done something you wished you could undo?

Made a decision to go right – when you should have gone left?

Said “Yes” when you should have said “No?”

Walked away when you should have stayed?

Spoken some words that would have been better left unsaid?

Unfortunately, neither life nor the Dollar General comes with an eraser For BIG Mistakes. We have always been told that we should learn from our mistakes, and that’s certainly true enough. Mistakes don’t have to be self-made for us to learn from them; shucks, we can look at the mistakes of others and take a lesson if we choose to pay attention.

Sometimes the cure for a BIG mistake comes when we start over. We take the eraser and start swiping. The relief and the release come when we erase.

We let go; choose to forgive ourselves if the mistake was ours, or forgive someone if the mistake was theirs. Erase; erase. We accept the concept of imperfection: Screw ups, blunders, lapses in judgment, missteps, major disasters.

I believe the cure for BIG mistakes comes when we dust off, regroup, recover and keep moving forward. Sadder? Maybe. Wiser? Definitely!

Yet, we move forward: Onward and up to the next step. We put one foot in front of the other; physically and emotionally. Soon, we discover that we have progressed; we’ve grown and matured. Ultimately, we see that we are better for the mistake.

And that’s when we know the cure is complete.

Join in the Fray: When have you had to use a BIG eraser?

I’m blogging every day in the month of April for BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading and do leave a comment!

Something I Need To Remember . . . .

April 26, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 4 Comments

. . . . when I start working on the edits for my dissertation:

Join in the Fray: What’s your current favorite quote – and why?

I’m blogging every day in the month of April in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Just Had To Share This . . . .

April 25, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 4 Comments

Saw this on a friend’s Facebook page and just had to share:

Join in the Fray: I’m not only in the process, I’m seeing results. How about you?

I’m blogging every day in the month of April in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

What About Mom?

April 24, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 12 Comments

I received an inbox today from a guy who reads the blog.

Thankfully, he’s enjoying the blog, but he wonders why I talk about my Dad all the time, but don’t say very much about my Mother.

I was able to refer him to a previous post I made about my Mother and the blog – and the fact that she’s not at all keen about being a topic of discussion.

Lest anyone think I don’t give her equal time, I’m sharing a note she wrote to my Dad concerning their joint obsession: Rabbits.

(At this point, I’m swearing you to secrecy. You have to promise you won’t tell her I posted this. *Snickering*).

Mom and Dad have some pet rabbits that they treat like celebrities. It’s cute to see them share this fondness for those critters ~~even though I believe my Mother takes it way too far~~. They each have their individual time of checking on the rabbits, and at least once a day they go look at them together.

*Rolls eyes*

Before I gag, check out this note my Mother wrote my Dad:

Did you read that last line? See what I mean about my Mother taking this rabbit thing too far?

SMH & LOL!

Join in the Fray: What’s your obsession?

I’m blogging every day in the month of April for BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading and do leave a comment!

3 Reasons Why You Should Like Corny White Guys

April 23, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 4 Comments

(or corny Asian guys, or corny Latin guys, or . . . . )

I had an epiphany today. I finally realized why I like/am attracted to corny white guys. Let me give you the back story:

When I swung by my parents’ house today, I was eagerly anticipating the delicious taste of the vegetable soup my Dad had promised to make for dinner. Nobody makes veggie soup like he does – just the right amount of spicy tomatoey heat, and fresh garden vegetables in every mouthful.

I walked through the door, and had to choke back the laughter when my Dad proudly showed me his latest acquisition: A television remote. What’s funny about a tv remote, you might ask? Whelp, this is his new remote:

Daddy began to tell me all the features: The remote allows you to program all your other devices; television, DVD player, satellite, etc. The remote’s crowning glory?

“I’ll never misplace this!” my Dad bragged with glee.

I tried to not laugh; I really, really did. But I couldn’t keep the laughter in – in fact, I shrieked so loudly I startled my Mother.

“Daddy, are you sure this remote is BIG enough???” I asked, howling with laughter.

Nonplussed, my Dad replied, “Yes, I think so. And not only that, YOU are going to program it for me! Now laugh about that!”

I couldn’t let it go.

“Daddy, that remote is HUGE – I’ll bet it’s as big as my FOOT!”

Not to be out done, I put the remote next to my foot to demonstrate:

Then it was my Dad’s turn to not let go.

“Look at your little fat feet!” he crowed.

That was all he needed.

He went in.

For the next hour, my Dad ran the gamut of doing the dozens on my feet.

In addition to “fat feet,” I also had:

Pig feet
Crow’s feet
Athlete’s feet
Stinky feet
Flat feet
Neat feat (he was especially tickled by this one)
Bird feet
Dinosaur feet
Rabbit feet
Platypus feet
Sasquatch feet

Last but not least, I had “pretty feet.”

(I love my Dad!)

I couldn’t stop laughing. Just when I thought he was done, he’d come up with another expression – and the laughter would start all over again. Sure, his “cleverness” was funny, but what was really funny to me was the sheer corniness of it all.

My Dad knew he was being corny – and he didn’t care.

And that’s when it hit me: Even though my Dad has a razor-sharp wit and is genuinely funny, he also has a corny side that he indulges.

Often.

I thought about all the corny jokes he’d cracked when I was growing up; particularly during my teenaged years when I had so much angst. He could make me laugh when no one else could. One joke or comment from him about one of my friends, one of my brothers’ friends (or even one of my brothers), or about a boy I liked, would immediately change my mood from gloomy to glowing.

That’s why I always laugh at corny jokes. That’s why I usually find corny guys attractive. I associate the corniness with good times, and being made to feel that everything is right with my world.

So, here are three reasons why I believe you should like corny guys:

Being corny requires a certain amount of bravery. Think about it: What do most people do when they hear a corny joke? That’s right: They groan. They give the offender the side eye, and then derisively shake their heads. They’ll say, “That was so corny!” or ask, “How can you be so corny?” as if being corny was a bad thing. The corny guy knows he’s being corny, but he doesn’t care. For him, the beauty of the joke lies in its corniness – and that very “corniness” defies convention. The corny guy is not afraid to buck the tide, and that takes confidence. Confidence is sexy.
Being corny requires a certain amount of vulnerability. When a guy makes corny jokes, he puts himself out there. He’s ripe for the picking – to be picked on, that is. When a corny guy reveals his corny side to a woman, he realizes that he’s taking a risk. Sure, nerds and geeks are cool now (Big Bang Theory, anyone?), but they haven’t always been so popular. When a guy is willing to show his vulnerable side, that’s a boon, because he’s letting his guard down. Vulnerability is sexy.
Being corny is indicative of a certain type of humor, and I venture to say, a certain type of intelligence and sensitivity. A corny guy is more than likely able to laugh at himself, so he doesn’t have to try to get a laugh at someone else’s expense. Corny guys don’t always rely on the obvious; instead, they see the humor beneath the surface. Corny guys recognize subtle nuances, and pick up on things that other guys miss. Corny guys have a sensitive side. Sensitivity is sexy.

And there you have it. I had to give a shout out to “corny white guys” because they seem to hold that reputation more than other ethnic groups.

Whatever your Swirl-flavor, pay attention when you come in contact with a corny guy. Make sure you dig a little deeper. You just may find that you’ve struck relationship gold – and discovered someone who’s a real keeper.

Join in the Fray: On a scale of 1- 10, with 10 being the highest, how corny are you?

I’m blogging every day in the month of April in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

This Right Here . . . .

April 22, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

. . . . is what I’m doing.

The fainting spells are done, deep breaths taken, and all is right with the world. I’ve had a chance to read through the suggested edits for my dissertation, and most of it consists of subjective, nit-picky things that are relatively easy fixes. Painstaking fixes, some of them, but relatively easy nevertheless.

Special thanks to each of you for your love, encouragement and support. An extra special shout out and thanks to Karla Fears, who hit the nail on the head in her Facebook post to me. She confirmed everything I was thinking, and having that witness from her gave me the jolt that I needed.

I am truly blessed with a wonderful support system; women and men who wish me well and want me to succeed. My wonderful parents and brothers, of course, who are the wind beneath my wings.

I’m so close to being done I can taste it, and I have to say that I’m ready to move on to other projects. Until I’m done with this particular project, I’m going to Keep Calm and Write On. Thanks for the boost!

Note: The “Keep Calm and Write On” photo was obtained from the KEEP-CALM-O-MATIC website. I’m getting this one done in a poster, t-shirt, coffee mug, mouse pad . . . .

Join in the Fray: Please tell me what projects YOU are working on. What can I do to encourage you?

I’m blogging every day in the month of April in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

~Le Sigh (A HUGE One)

April 21, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 10 Comments

I received an email from my Dissertation Chair. She heard back from the Quality Reviewers concerning my dissertation.

This is the news she forwarded to me:

Overall, Michelle has produced a very interesting and important study. However, there are issues that need to be addressed prior to approving this dissertation. The main concern with this study is the reporting of the findings. Below, examples are provided to guide Michelle in her revisions. These examples should be considered illustrative, not exhaustive.

*Faints*

Gets back up.

*Faints*

Gets back up. Drinks some Coke Zero.

Reviews the list. Recognizes that the glass is always half full; never half empty.

I can do this. I am doing it.

Join in the Fray: What’s making you say “Le Sigh?”

I’m blogging every day in the month of April in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Pink Party Over Here!

April 20, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

A couple of years ago my major home base shifted from Texas to Louisiana. I have to say, one of the great things about Southwest Louisiana (besides the food) is the fact that you can pretty much always find a Festival or a party on any given weekend.

Last Saturday night I had the pleasure of attending a “VIPink Party” given by the Lafayette chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise money and honor breast cancer survivors. The blinged out pink affair was held at the Cypress Bayou Casino & Hotel in Charenton, LA (another thing about SW LA is that things aren’t pronounced the way they are spelled. “Charenton” is pronounced “Cher-ruh-ton” – and make sure you say it really fast!)

I’d heard quite a bit about the Casino but hadn’t had the opportunity to visit. We had to walk through the Casino to get to the banquet room ~~which meant I had to walk past the mindless Zombies seated at the slot machines and the fanatics at the crap table~~.

The sights and sounds were awesome! Here are some highlights:

We walked in on the “Pink Carpet”

The table decorations were gorgeous:

Pink, pink everywhere . . . .

Dinner was a fabulous buffet, complete with pink butter for our panini-grilled bread:

and dessert was . . . well . . . pink:

(Yes, not only is that a pink Rice Krispy Treat, that’s a pink praline over on the right. Yes. Exactly.)

After dinner comes dancing. We were treated to old school jams from the band Krossfyre:

Everybody loves old school jams . . . (even when they get off step):

And what’s a Southwest Louisiana party without some good rockin’ Zydeco?

See the rub-board he’s wearing? My Grandmother used to play one, only hers wasn’t nearly so fancy. It wasn’t a “body” one, either – just the good, old-fashioned scrubbing board (some people call it a wash board) framed in wood.

She held it up to her chin in the crook of her arm like it was a fiddle. The “pick” she used to play it? Visualize a wire clothes hanger. Fold the long sides in half. See the hook at the top? That’s the part she “scratched” with!

All in all, it was a wonderful night and I had a great time. I was happy to participate in such a worthy cause, and look forward to more of the same.

Next up: Festival International de Louisiane kicks off this week, April 24-28! ! Woot Woot!

Join in the Fray: What’s your thing: A Festival , Carnival, or Amusement Park?

I’m blogging every day in the month of April in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Archives for April 2013

My BIG, HUGE Announcement: I Have A New Baby-And It’s A Girl!!!!

Like this:

So Much To Say . . . So Little Time!

Like this:

The Cure For BIG Mistakes

Like this:

Something I Need To Remember . . . .

Like this:

Just Had To Share This . . . .

Like this:

What About Mom?

Like this:

3 Reasons Why You Should Like Corny White Guys

Like this:

This Right Here . . . .

Like this:

~Le Sigh (A HUGE One)

Like this:

Pink Party Over Here!

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Archives for April 2013

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Thank you!