Gone Too Soon

Received an email this morning from a husband of a fellow African American Scrapbooker that his beloved wife Debra Pinder Symonette had made her transition from endometrial cancer. My condolences go out to Alan A. Symonette and his family. I don't know them personally, but because he assisted her with her crops and her events it just shows you the impact of family and the reason we, as Creative Memories Consultants do what we do. We help people to understand the importance of cherishing memories. It doesn't take much to sit down one day a month with friends and create something for your family. I'm sure Debra realized that and that's why she did what she did. Now she leaves her family with what I'm sure are beautiful, cherished memories. We will carry on in Debra's name to continue our job of teaching and creating a legacy for our families.



I know for me, that I will continue to talk about what I do as a consultant...I may still get the deaf ear, but eventually I will succeed.



May God bless the Symonette family.



Just Sayin'....Diane

It's A White Thing

You may be wondering what's up with that title...well I'm writing because I am so tired of hearing African American women say that Scrapbooking is a "White Women" thing. I am an African American female who is an avid scrapbooker and an Independent Consultant with a major scrapbooking company. I just can't get past this foolishness. We all take photographs, we create memories don't we? So what is this nonsense. We are a culture of people who have so many memories, great heritage and family so why wouldn't we want to preserve these memories. How is sitting down once a month, joining other women and creating beautiful pages for our families to enjoy for years to come a "white woman" thing. I know that there are a lot of African American women who scrapbook and I belong to alot of organizations; however, we already are scrapbookers and we love it. We would like to tell others of our enjoyment. I have tried, unsuccessfully to host get togethers, make presentations to my community and all I get is "I don't have time for that, " That's for White women," "That's a White woman's hobby." I'm just amazed. We can spend money on hair, weaves, nails, food that shouldn't even be eaten, clothes that are so over the top and other craziness...but yet we can't spend money on something that will be preserved for life. Where are our priorities? When my daughter's friends come over my house and they see me in my scrapbooking room creating albums of all my daughter's events the comment I get is "I wish my mom would do this for me." What does that tell you. Come on mom's your children want to see their memories. Why buy the darn camera and take pictures if they're just going to sit there. One day you will wish you had these memories.





With that, I'm Just Sayin"

What's a Mom to do?

Well I haven't been on the blog this weekend becasue it was my 54th birthday. Wow...I had a pretty good day. I scrapbooked with a friend and we had a delightful time together and then my family came over for a birthday celebration.

Now here I am this morning at work, feeling a little sad because my 15 year-old daughter and I came head to toe this weekend so she's not talking to me right now. I'm a very sensitive person and I really feel horrible that we had a fight. But I just don't know how to handle these teens today. Back in the day I never fought with my mother. We had such a close relationship my mother and I and when she transitioned in 1998 I was just devasted. My best friend gone!!! I guess I want that same relationship with my daughter, but as she has told me we can't have that kind of relationship because things are different today. How different can things be? What is wrong with family. I am a family person always have been and always will be. What in the world do these kids want. She has a beautiful home to live in, a beautiful room, a study for her to do her school work in, two great parents, we both work and own businesses so we can keep her in the private school she's in. I really try very hard to be certain that she's happy and gets the best that life has to offer. We're involved with our church. She's in Youth of Truth...but I'm wondering what do they want. These teens today are so in to themselves. Instead of communication...they text. What happened to good talking. It frustrates me. Anyway, if there are any moms out there with teenage daughters (or dads) give me some advice. Maybe I'm too close to her I don't know. Maybe I try too hard!!! So, here I am at work my good friend is staying with us so she's been a help watching my daughter while I'm at work. At least she's there if my daughter needs to talk. My friend is here because she's looking for a job. But I believe God sent her here to balance me out. To let me see that I need to relax and let go and let God. I do everything in my house for my family and I guess they've become dependent on that because I've allowed it. But I've always been the one everyone comes to for advice, assistance, you name it...Call Diane. I'm a perfectionist and I like things certain way. I like order, organization in my life and home. I'm just really feeling sad right now...the tears continue to flow and I'm getting tired of crying. I just want simplicity in my life. My family to be whole and happy. What's a mom to do? I've tried to get my daughter involved scrapbooking with me and she refuses...doesn't want to do that. So, I don't know what they want to do.

With that...thanks for listening...Just Sayin'

Happy Friday

Happy Friday to everyone. I got up early this morning to work on some legal documents for a client. Wanted to start early on this since I have to get ready for work. Yes, I run my own transcription business and work as well. Long story will talk about that later. Anyway, I wanted to get this done because when I get home I have to prepare for my Birthday Crop tomorrow. Can't wait a full day of scrapbooking. So I'm going to have a really great day today and get a lot done...but being grateful while I'm doing what I do. So have a Fabulous Friday and be kind to yourself and love yourself...then you can give it to others. Talk back to me I'd love to hear from you. Just Sayin'

Hello

Good morning everyone,



I am so happy that I've finally started this blog. I named my blog "Just Sayin" because I'm always saying something and this is a good format to express my thoughts. I think it's a New England thing because everytime I say something I end it with I'm "Just Sayin." I like to talk about a lot of different issues. I look forward to meeting new people and I hope you will follow my blog. I think I'm going to take certain topics and discuss how I feel about them and maybe get other opinions as well. I love to scrapbook and I would welcome talking with other scrapbook addicts as well. So, follow along with me. Have a great day!