I'm back to bloggin

My goodness..its been awhile.. I have been through about 4 different blog names and several years of ups and downs and I think I am ready to return to the blogging world. 

I finally did it yall..(well I know there isnt really a following anymore but u know..) I MOVED!

I created a post awhile back about moving into my 30's and what that meant for me.. and I never would have imagined there would be so many changes this year. I am 3 months away from completing my 30th year of life and true to what I anticipated it has been a life changer!

To start - I got laid off.. in november of 08 (shortly after my 30th bday). I got my first corporate client through my newly founded company ShoeString Elegance..I ended a three year relationship last year..explored an old flame and realized it  needed to stay just that..lol..and now I've actually moved! 

If you know anything about me you know I   have wanted to move for soooo long. Just tired of the city. I explored NC, VA and most recently DC and MD. I decided on MD. I'm in PG county. Cheverly to be exact. and I LOVE IT!. I got a small one bedroom in a residential area and my daughter is happy as well. I am already feeling happier and more at peace being out of the craziness of NYC.. 

Though I will miss lots of things about the big apple.. i just knew it was time to move on...

So I'm back here now - and ready to talk and share and just vent.. life isnt easy but im making it.. and I thank the gods for that...

I'll be catching up with all the blogs that I've followed and look forward to returning to the blogging world. 

Decorating

I love to decorate my home and have actually become obssesed with it. It seems I have a problem with stability LOL - I always want to change around the room or get "better" furniture or color schemes or change the curtains.

While my $$ is limitied I can't move as fast as I want and its been slow going decorating my apartment. I have been in this apartment about 3 years now and I have painted the living room, part of the hallway and my daughters bedroom. I committed to finishing one room at a time rather than trying to do all of them at once cause then they all look incomplete.

Its so funny but when I go to a store I will pass all the shoes and clothes and head for the home decor section.. ahhhh just thinking of throw pillows and candles brings a smile to my face..

Anyway I am going to post a picture of my latest project, my curtains. I made some curtains when I first moved in becasue my windows and ceilings are very high so the standard 83" curtains dont do it. I need 94" at least and the height from my floor to my ceiling is 115" so its a challenge ( I cant do the puddle look that I like unless i make the curtains myself..

Anyway - my living room a rust and yellow and brown color scheme and I have really dark brown couches right now. Word to the wise - dont buy microfiber -that crap is hard to clean !

Anyway I came across these couches and I am IN LOVE ...wait for it....wait...

TADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I'm in heaven)

Now my curtains are slightly darker than the ones in this pic but I absolutely love these couches from JCP and they are affordable..only problem - I have an 8 year old who spills shit everywhere ! I would die if these got stained..so do I wait till she is older or ban her from my living room ! lol ..thats it for now ... (daydreaming about these couches)....

I am officially a student. My first class has started and I have lots of reading to do ! Im excited but  nervous..

Here is my first "paper".  We had to write a intro for the other students to read about us. I been out of school for 6 years now so I'm definetely a little rusty lol

My name is Stephanie Stewart and I am pursuing the BA in Social Science with a concentration in Education. My professional career goal is to be a teacher.



I am very excited about starting classes, as it has been many years since I have been in school, six to be exact! I hope to gain a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in college and life in general from this course.



My long-term goal professionally is to open my own charter school. It has always been my dream to start a program that encourages and utilizes domestic and international travel as a means of education. My target audience is inner city children and those from poor and working class families. These are often times the families that simply can’t afford to travel with their children.



I feel exposure to other cultures and ways of life opens the door to acceptance, tolerance and respect for all mankind. I strive to show my students that there is so much more to this world than what they see outside their front door. By experiencing new places and people I hope to cultivate a love and appreciation for knowledge.



When I was younger I had the opportunity to work as an assistant teacher in a pre-k class. One of my most memorable experiences was when I was able to help one of the students learn his ABC’s. He had struggled all year to pick it up and suffered from a speech impediment. I took extra time to sit with him after and before class. The look of joy in his eyes at the end of the school year when he recited his ABC’s in its’ entirety, was more rewarding than any other professional accomplishment to date. That’s when I recognized the reward in teaching.



My short-term goal is to start an enrichment program that teaches children about other cultures and exposes them to local arts. Because of financial constraints I was not able to experience these things as a child. As an adult I realize the importance in being well rounded and cultured.

I feel one’s economic state should never limit one’s ability to experience all life has to offer, and that is what I strive to provide for the children I encounter.

I look forward to getting to know all of you and wish you success in your endeavors!

Before 30 Goals

I am going to be 30 in about 4 months - and as I mentioned in my previous post there are some things I want to get in order. One of them being enroll in school and finish my BA.

Last night I did it ! I enrolled in Ashford University which has a campus in Iowa but also has a complete online BA program in Social Science with a concentration in Education ! So I can complete my entire degree online. I take one class at a time and the class last for 5 weeks.

I was approved for a Federal Stafford Student Loan. I really didnt want to apply for a loan but I dont qualify for financial aid. And through my research I found several programs that offer loan forgivance programs if you become a teacher and commit to work in an urban school for a couple years - so there are options. I am also applying for the "Project Working Mom" scholarship which awards full tuition for free ! (fingers crossed)

So its all surreal right now. I think once I start that first class in a couple weeks it will set in ..

But im on my way to achieving my "before 30" goals..

I am back.. I think..LOL

For those of you who know me this is the third blog I have started now. The reason is because I keep going through changes lol - ive gone from mylifemyshitmyblog to newyearnewme to contemplations of a woman now..why ..well shit its kinda like cutting your hair..you know ladies how we get out of a relationship and we do something drastic like cut our hair thinking it will make you feel "different" ..yeah like that

Anyway - for those of you who are new I guess I can describe myself as honestly vunerable.. I use my blogs to vent and talk about whats going on in my life..

I'm putting a little twist on this one because i feel that with the new title and new stage im entering in my life (my 30's) I can stay put now lol for the most part anyway.. ( I tend to jump around alot- not just with my blogs but in my life too) But now its time to start planting some roots ..

I'm going to be 30 this year ( in October) and its hit me - Dang I'm grown! Its time to get my ish in order..

I love to decorate, travel, spend time with my babygirl and my man and girlfriends.. so I will blog about those things.. More recently I am really starting to get into fashion.. so I'll blog about that too. Oh and of course finances - still trying to figure that ish out !

Oh well ..for now - Hello again to all of my old blogg fam..I been off the blogging scence but still keeping up with yall..and Hello for the first time to all my new friends..

Dilema

I have a dilemma ...

This year for me is monumental – moving into 30 for me really makes me want to get my shit together – get things in order and start to bring into fruition the things that I want to accomplish… I don’t want to do things the same way anymore – and I definetly don’t want to waste away the next 30 years behind someones desk pushing papers and slowly withering away both physically and mentally.. im NOT ok with working for someone more so in a capacity that offers no creativity

Although I haven’t figured out the best way to accomplish it yet I know whats important to me- quality of life.. because of all the things I have been through and death and sickness I have seen first hand I know its not all about how much time you have but how you spend the time you have…with all that said…

I want a better quality of life – I don’t enjoy what I do – that’s no secret – and now that I realize its not the companies but the type of work that I do I realize I have to get out of this type of work – at this point – school isn’t an option because I simply cant afford it . and I refuse to take out 30K+ loans to then take a pay cut. Im not happy… im not happy right now cause I don’t like the things in my life – I don’t like the work im doing – I don’t like the hussle and bussle of the city- I don’t like always feeling rushed etc etc etc.

Now I know I want to start my own business – and I am slowly winding down to a decision on which one to pursue .. but this is where the dilemma comes in . If I start a business here – that automatically means stayin here for at least another 5 years or more im sure – now I don’t hate everything about NY – there are a lot of advantages to living in ny – the city of course and convience of things – but trying to buy property here is hard – as we know – or rather expensive – but I know there are places we can move not too far from here that aren’t too bad ..

So my dilemma is – do I make the decision to stay here and start my business here… or move to the south and start all over – I know initially I would have to get another admin job until I can get a house, and start a business etc etc .. So I feel like I am at a dead stop until I make the decision to stay or go – cause everything else has to be planned according to that decision

2008 Already ??

It's 2008 - This is a big year for me. I'm going to be 30 years old ... whew gotta take a moment to let that set in .. Now dont get me wrong I know 30 isnt old . They say 30 is the new 20 right..well I dont know about all that lol

I remember being a kid and thinking 30 was sooo old - now here I am at 30 and I have destiny telling me that Im old and referring to the time I grew up as " back in the days"

She had the nerve to ask me if we had cars "Back in my day" ( little heffa ..lol)

Anyway - I was looking back at all my post and how I was so active at one time- and I asked myself what happened..what happened to all my plans etc ? Why do I lack the motivation to stay focused on the things I want to do in life ? Time just seems to fly past me.

Right now I am working for a junior clothing company as an admin - the pay is decent and Ive been here about 9 months now .. boss is cool - nothing exciting - I mean its a job .

Home is ok - my youngest brother is living with me - my cousin moved back home with her mom and Im still organizing and decorating lol ( the never ending project)

I'm ready to move out of NY - I'm looking at Atlanta right now - according to the research I have done the cost of living is 50% lower and the income difference is 16% . The houses are beautiful from what I have seen online and I know a good amount of people who have moved there from NY that love it..

Im almost done with my credit repair and will check on my scores once that is finished and start to rebuild. I want to get my scores up to the 700's before I move so I can get approved for a mortgage. I wanted to have a home by the time i was 20 but that is 11 months away so I dont know if that goal is realistic - especially since I want it to be in a different state - so now Im aiming to be in my home in my new state between 30-32.

Well thats it for now I have some things Im working on and plan to post them soon - Financial revamps etc .. till then - thanks for keeping up with me ..