Prayer For Guidance

In The Name of Allah, The Beneficient, The Merciful

Praise Be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds

The Beneficient, The Merciful

Master of the Day of Requittal

Thee Do We Serve 

and Thee Do We Beseech For Help

Guide Us on the Right Path

the Path Upon Whom Thou Hast Bestowed Favors

Not the Path of Those Upon Whom Thy Wrath is Brought Down

Nor of Those Who Go Astray

                                         Amen

Talking with my children on this rainy Friday night after a good day and decided to put this song on and dance with my son.

I count my blessings ya'll.

The More I Strive To Live

     About 2 weeks ago the thought came to my mind that the more I strive to live my dreams the more I inspire others to do the same. I felt a little guilty by the thought because it seemed a little ... I can't think of a word to describe precisely what I am thinking. So I brushed the thought aside, especially since it was more of a feeling I was getting. I don't believe that I was told. I think I was gathering it by the energy I was getting from folks. Then a friend called less than 24 hours later and said that I was inspiring her to do something she had been wanting to do. I responded PRAISE BE TO ALLAH. Then a few days later another friend sent me a text that read, " I'm convinced that you're an angel sending me these messages because it's what my family needs too." Once again, PRAISE BE TO ALLAH! Then yesterday, I was speaking with another friend and she said, "That is so inspiring!" At that point I once again said, PRAISE BE TO ALLAH and I submitted. God, at this particular juncture in my life, is blessing me to be an inspiration to others.  Hence I decided to write about it. But not really focusing on me per se, but on all of us.

Can you envision a world where everyone was actively pursuing their dreams? Ok, 75%? 50%? Let's even take it down to 25%? The world would be a different place. Image the energy level of folks. The love that would be more freely circulating. The respect. Namaste comes to mind. (The god in me bows to the god in you).
     Today we participated in the black history club. This month's theme was mathematicians and engineers. It is inspiring to see someone making their dreams a reality. That is one of the reasons we learn about people that are successful, to inspire us. One of the presentations was on Sylvestor Gates, Jr Theoretical Physicist. The interview was brief and I have included the link if you are interested. He was asked, "What advice do you have for students looking to go into science as a career?" I love his response and it fed into a brief but meaningful dialog as well. 

     Anyway, the point I am making is that we all can and do inspire each other so PLEASE do what you can to make your dreams a reality. I am not speaking of just the BIG dreams, but rather all of them. 

Sit Down, Shut Up, & Get It Done

Sit Down, Shut Up and Get It Done
As many of you know I believe that is a skill. And it is literally what I am telling myself right now as I can and have several other ways to spend my time, but there is one project that I would like to make significant progress on that I need to focus on. With that, I'm off to sit down, shut up, and get it done.

Oh and I have written several blog post in my head this past week. Maybe after I get a good amount of this task done I can actually share them with you all.

Good Times

I was asked to find a few photos and was blessed to get sidetracked by looking at a bunch of photos of when the children were younger. Those years were beyond special. I was trying to pick a few favorites but that proved to be impossible. I wouldn't want to bore you with fifty or so pictures so I am going to randomly pick 7. This is going to be difficult.

Act like I can't count and I hope I didn't bore you. I am not sure how I selected but this is what made the cut.

You Can Have My Vote

Today as I was washing the dishes and pondering the various issues in the upcoming elections, I asked myself am I taking educating my children too far.

Backing up a bit
Peace has been very interested in politricks, I mean politics, lately so we have been discussing. During one of our discussions I blurted out that if she researches the issues and can articulate why she would vote a particular way she can have my vote. She got pretty excited.

Now, (a week later), I am wondering... REALLY Erika?

I have settled on that I vote for her. Whatever I can do to help improve her mentally, physically, and spiritually I am all for it.

So Yes, Peace can have my vote. I am excited to see what and who she picks and why.

Going Abroad!!!!!

Greetings and Peace!
To The Folks in the Bay Area or those willing to advertise for us in the Bay Area...

Our two products: Laundry Detergent and Chinook Books

 We are officially set up to distribute Chinook Books. If you have no idea what the Chinook Book is please keep reading or check out this link. Chinook Book

In case you are wondering why we are selling the book. We are attempting to raise money to help us go abroad. We have been desirous for quite sometime to travel abroad but have not made it a reality. We are attempting to make it happen and would love your support in the effort. 
We have been very picky in what we have decided to use as a fund-raiser. We want products that we use ourselves and that are also guilt-free. I have personally purchased a Chinook Book ($20) for the past 3+ years and recouped my investment every time and believe you will as well. Hence, it is a win-win for both sides. This is my first year using the mobile app ($14) as this is also my first year having a smart-phone. I think both (book or app) are great deals. Below is a list of my favorites and I must admit, I mostly stay in the Grocery and Garden sections. However there are coupons in Dining, Entertainment and Family, Fashion and Gifts, Home & Garden, Travel and Recreation, & Wellness. They also have all kind of helpful tips and recommend earth friendly apps and such. Basically, it is a good product and I hope you purchase one from us. If you plan on getting the mobile app give me a call, I can get you started today.


-Chinook Book is a one-of-a-kind resource – a coupon book, a directory and source of ideas for living well and enjoying the best of what’s green and local in the East Bay.

-We are selling it to raise money for our school and to help connect the sustainable economy. Buy the print book for $20 or the mobile version for $14 and earn your money back while enjoying fabulous businesses that are making a difference.

-Valuable neighborhood offers include:

•      Ace
• Natural Grocer
• Piedmont Grocer
• Alameda Natural Grocer
• Monterey Market
• Diablo Foods
• Farmers Markets throughout bay area
• Lakeshore Natural Foods
• Farmer Joe's
• Grocery Outlet
• Andronico's
• Diablo Foods
• Arizmendi
• Cafe Gratitude
• Thrift Town
• Grand Lake Theatre
• Stonemountain & Daughters
• East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse
• East Bay Nursery
• Wertbrae Nursery
• Flowerland
• Amtrak

Chinook Book makes a wonderful gift and it’s a great tool for exploring your community.


Learn more about what's inside and how the app works at bay.chinookbook.net

And of course, A BIG THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ALREADY!