This has been a wonderful journey for me. The main reason why I did Blogmas this year was because I wanted to activate my creativity. Dealing with brain fog and memory loss makes it hard to be creative. One thing I can say is my brain is working at 80% instead of 20%, much better than last year. I am so happy about that! This is my last post for Blogmas and it has been a blast. My creativity was working so well I even wrote a short story. I am very proud of myself for completing all 12 days with special guest posts. Did you all enjoy it as much as I did? Ok, lets get back to the title of this post: decorating and doing R.A.C.K. (Random Act of Christmas Kindness).
I like decorating but not as much as my daughter loves to. We got a late start with decorating this year but we were able to decorate our trees, a big one and two little ones.
We went out to see Christmas lights & decorations at one of the places featured on Blogmas Day 1 – Miracle on South 13th Street. All of the houses were decorated so pretty. Me and my daughter had a great time. We even ran into Santa.
Another one of my favorite things I love to do is R.A.C.K. This year, I was able to give out Gift cards to strangers, donate to a toy drive, and surprise the lovely ladies that work at the clubhouse with Bath & Body gifts. My daughter and I also drove around giving out Homeless care packages (blankets, hats, gloves and socks). Random Acts of Kindness brings me so much joy. I wanted to spread a little bit of kindness and I think it was accomplished.
Well, Beauties it that time to closed out Blogmas 2023. I would like to thank the ladies who participated in Blogmas. It was a joy to have you. I would like to thank everyone who has read, like, comment and follow my journey. I hope it made you smile. ♥
This is my last guest post by Noni D’vyne. Sharing what Christmas means to her by answering five holiday questions asked by Goldie! 1. What does Christmas means to me? Christmas has meant so many things to me over the years. As a child it was strictly about how many toys you had under the tree and if Santa got you everything you wanted. When I was a teenager all I was focused on was the latest fashion and what nice gear the parents had copped so I could be fly going back to school. Fast forward as an adult I’ve come into my own spirituality and don’t conform to the traditions, however, I like some of the symbolizations surrounding Christmas. I like family, unity, peace, joy and the giving aspects because these are interchangeable with family and friends during this joyous time and you don’t have to put a label on it. The holiday season is ultimately about family and your ability to give of yourself freely without anything in return.
2. What are you looking forward to this Holiday season? When the holiday approaches I look forward to, first and foremost, the day off from the 9-5. I also look forward to seeing the beautifully decorated houses and business in their festive Christmas colors. I like the calmness and joy that you can feel in the air when the holiday approaches as you enter stores. The smells of fresh pine & baked goods (sweets), glitzy ornaments and ugly Christmas sweaters. Holidays bring out a larger presence of relatives and friends, some that you haven’t seen in years, which can soothe your heart and bring on a warm smile.
3. What is on your Christmas Wishlist? My Christmas wish list is simple on one hand and on the other hand one is asking for a little too much. But if Santa could so kindly stick these items either under my tree or in my stocking it would be greatly appreciated.
A white gold & diamond Ankh necklace
Prada Perfume- Pardoxe Intense
Louis Vutton Neverfull GM
Lime green & black woman’s air Jordan retro 1 mid casual.
A world full of peace, joy and happiness.
4. What are you top three favorite Christmas songs?
Mary Did You Know by Ceelo Green(Disclaimer: Music belongs to Youtube user/Ceelo Green)
Joy To The World by Whitney Houston (Disclaimer: Music belongs to Youtube user/Whitney Houston)
This Christmas by Donny Hathaway (Disclaimer: Music belongs to Youtube user/Donny Hathaway)
5. What is the one movie you must watch during the Holiday season? Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas until I watch the Best Man Holiday. It’s that one movie that embodies Love, Life, Family, Friends and the ups & downs that come with the season and how love can prevail through it all.
Thank you Noni D’vyne for being my last guest post for Blogmas. It has been a pleasure to have all my guests on Blogmas this year.
Here is another guest post by Ronnie. Sharing what Christmas means to her by answering five holiday questions asked by Goldie!
1. What does Christmas mean to me?Family and Love
2. What are you looking forward to this holiday season? Spending time with loved ones, decorating my home and putting up a tree and watching my favorite Christmas movies. I love shopping for the special people in my life especially my grandchildren. I like going to holiday parties, eating a lot of good tasting food and enjoying time with my family. We always have a good time when we link up especially around the holiday time.
3. What is on your Christmas Wishlist?
Everyone’s favorite Money!
This perfume smells so good – Chloe’
I’m a sneaker head, so they have to be on my wish list.
4. What are your top three favorite Christmas songs?
This Christmas by Chris Brown (Disclaimer: Music belongs to Youtube user/Chris Brown)
Give Love on Christmas Day by Jackson 5 (Disclaimer: Music belongs to Youtube user/Jackson 5)
Let It Snow by Boyz II Men (Disclaimer: Music belongs to Youtube user/Boyz II Men)
5. What is the one movie you must watch during the Holiday season?
Thank you Ronnie for being my guest on Blogmas. I hope you have been enjoying all the guest post for Blogmas this year. We are almost at the finish line. ♥
Hey, everyone! It’s me, SiddeeQah, back again with another guest post.
Embracing the Winter Solstice!
Amidst the chaos of the holidays, we often forget the true star of the holiday season – the winter solstice. It’s a time to unwind, reflect, and focus on self-care. It’s the longest night of the year, marking the start of our collective journey towards summer sunshine. So, let’s bring balance to the season, instead of getting swept up in the frenzy of it all. Give your body and emotions the TLC they deserve with these self-care tips inspired by the energy of the winter solstice!
Transform Rest with Release
The longer nights of winter is the Earth’s way of telling us to get more rest. But what does that really mean? Sleep patterns can’t change overnight and our stressors don’t go away at the snap of our fingers. We can change the way we rest by implementing a physical release practice before we do. Most of these are lazy-proof for those of us who have a hard time staying disciplined. Give one of these a try:
1. Somatic stretching in bed to release negative emotions and trauma that gets stored in the body, keeping us from mindful moments and better sleep.
2. A talk diary – the practice of speaking out loud to yourself or recording yourself. You can use this diary to make lists, laugh about your random thoughts, cry or vent about heavy situations, whatever you choose! Essentially you are dumping your brain and body of the stimulating thoughts that may keep you from proper rest and mental wellness.
3. Paper ripping. Whether you can fill a journal page or can only manage a few words, the paper ripping practice is a great way to experience a physical release. Write, draw, or scribble your challenges at that time on a piece of paper. Once you feel you are complete and accurate in your expression, rip the paper into tiny shred. Practice as needed and be sure to support the planet by recycling the scraps.
The Gratitude Habit
Gratitude may be a very popular buzz word in the wellness and spiritual communities… and for good reason. The self-care approach to gratitude is intentionally taking time to say “thank you” to yourself for everything you’ve done this year. It isn’t just a reserved for the goals you reached or the hurdles you overcame, it’s also acknowledging the tiny choices you made for yourself even if you did not feel or do your best. It is showing appreciation to the people and experiences that influenced your year.
Here’s the How-To: Infuse gratitude into your actions daily for 21 days gently. Choose something every day to say “thank you”, whether it’s the comfort of your bed or the warm water from your shower. Get custom with the things you say, there is no right or wrong way to be thankful. You’ll find that your gratitude will grow stronger with time. We are in a season of gift-giving and should be mindful to not gift out of obligation and instead, gift with gratitude. Gratitude practices have shown to improve moods and mental well-being. How do you think you can benefit from a 21-day gratitude practice?
Light a Candle for Yourself
…or a lamp or a small led light. Whatever you choose is meant to illuminate a moment for yourself. Similar to the gratitude habit, this is a 21-day practice you implement gently. Don’t be hard on yourself if you miss a day, however, attempt to light a candle for yourself daily. When this candle is lit, you are exclusively tending to yourself; this block of time is reserved for you alone to do an activity or nothing at all. If you find yourself saying, “I don’t have time to light a candle for myself today.”, it is a clear indicator that change is needed. Finding moments for yourself should be easy and not a concept you’re chasing day after day. This practice pulls directly from the winter solstice energy, creating a balance of self reflection and self celebration.
There we have it, Beauties! I ask us all to partake in at least one of these self-care tips…we deserve it.
While traveling and taking vacations can be a great way to unwind and explore new places, sometimes it’s just not possible. Whether due to budget constraints, work obligations, or health concerns, there are times when staying at home is the best option. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice fun and relaxation! There are plenty of holiday activities you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
One idea is to have a movie marathon with your loved ones. Choose a theme, such as holiday movies or your favorite genre, and stock up on snacks and drinks. This is a great way to bond with your family or friends while enjoying some classic films. Yes they are DVD’s and they play on Xbox.
from the left: Man on Fire, Equalizer, Creed, Last Samurai, Kingdom of Heaven, Zane Sex Chronicles
If you’re feeling creative, you can also try your hand at Paint & Sip. This can be a fun and budget-friendly way to add some festive flair to your home. I found some good pictures on Amazon. Plus I did a Virtual & Sip online.
If you’re looking for a more relaxing activity, consider reading a good book or starting a new hobby. This is a great way to unwind and pass the time while also improving your knowledge and skills. Here are a few books I will be reading over the winter. Plus I have a few fictional ones on Kindle & Audible.
from the left: The Four Agreements, The Way of Mastery, Warren Buffett Invests Like A Girl, The Automatic Millionaire
If you’re not into reading you can always partake in some games and puzzles. I love putting puzzles together. It helps stimulate my brain and keeps it laser focused.
No matter what you choose to do, the important thing is to enjoy your time at home and make the most of your holiday staycation.
Leave a comment below
What are some of the activities you like doing at home during the holiday?
The holiday season is not complete without the classic Christmas songs and movies that we all know and love. Christmas songs have a special place in our hearts, whether sharing memories of singing with family or listening to them while decorating the tree. Here are some of my favorite songs.
Boyz to Men (DISCLAIMER: MUSIC BELONGS TO YOUTUBE/Boyz II Men)
Marvin Gaye (DISCLAIMER: MUSIC BELONGS TO YOUTUBE/Marvin Gaye)
New Edition (DISCLAIMER: MUSIC BELONGS TO YOUTUBE/New Edition)
Loving Caliber (DISCLAIMER: MUSIC BELONGS TO YOUTUBE/Loving Caliber)
Temptations (DISCLAIMER: MUSIC BELONGS TO YOUTUBE/Temptations)
These timeless tunes are sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
Anyone who knows me knows I love me a good ole Christmas movie. One of the many things I do is go to the movies on Christmas day. Every year I look forward to new movies released on Netflix & Bet Plus. But who can forget about the iconic movies like Borrowed Hearts and The Preacher’s Wife.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic comedy or a family-friendly adventure, there’s no shortage of options to choose from. Such as modern favorites like Elf and The Best Man Holiday there’s a movie for everyone.
These films have become a staple in many households during the holiday season. Whether you’re singing along to your favorite Christmas song or snuggled up watching your favorite holiday movie, these tradition brings joy and warmth to our hearts and homes. So, let’s grab some hot cocoa, cozy up by the fire, and enjoy the magic of the holiday season through music and movies.
It’s me again: Siddeeqah, Goldie’s daughter, the Daur of Mo’daur! Today, I’m guest posting and I’m happy to be back. I hope you enjoy what I have written for you all today and I hope it brings you holiday cheer. Here goes:
1. What does Christmas mean to you? Christmas is that short holiday time to spend with my mom exploring so many activities and traditions. With our small family, we are redefining what this season means to us and every year looks different. I love that we can look back on the memories and see how intentional we were about choosing happiness.
2. What are you looking forward to this Holiday season? The Winter Solstice. Though winter is not my favorite season, I love to take that time at the solstice for reflection, introspection, and rest. I’m looking forward to the quiet time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the next season. It’s such a special time for me, I always receive a lot of blessings through my spiritual gifts.3. What is on your Christmas Wishlist?
My Christmas has changed up a little this year, but here goes:
A sound bowl – just one, maybe for the heart chakra, to take my readings and spiritual practices to the next level.
A cello or an electric keyboard – maybe not for this Christmas, but it’s been a long time that I’ve wanted to learn the cello. Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much I played around with an electric piano I had when I was a young teen. It has really brought a lot of joy to me daydreaming about learning of these as a hobby.
Tickets to the Velaris Starfall Ball – one of my favorite books is A Court of Thorn of Roses and this ball is literally inspired by one of my favorite scene from the series! The tickets are pricey, but the ball is in 2025, enough time for me to get the perfect gown. As one of the few black women who will be in attendance, I will already stand out, but what I have planned will be unforgettable.
4. What are your top three favorite Christmas songs?
Marvin Gaye – I Want To Come Home for Christmas
Julie Andrews – My Favorite Things
Kelly Clarkson – Wrapped in Red
5. What is the one movie you must watch during the holiday season?
Elf! I must watch Elf every year. This year, Ido hope we watch a few old movies I haven’t seen in a while like Jingle All the Way or the Preacher’s Wife..
Thank you all for reading my guest post! Look out for my next one and Happy Blogmas. ❤
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Until Next time…Enjoy Life 🙂
Disclaimer: I don’t own rights to this music and videos.
Blogmas is here!!! I am excited to bring you all the amazing things about the Christmas/Holiday season. I will be posting 3 times a week for the 12 days of Blogmas. Grab yourself a cozy blanket & some hot chocolate and come on this wonderful journey with me.
In case you miss Blogmas 2021 click the link here to catch up.
Thank you all for coming on this journey with me. I had so much fun writing content for you. I am so proud of myself for making it to 12 days of Blogmas. It was a little touch and go around day 8 but I push through it and Blogmas 2021 was a success. Yayyy
Now as we come to a closed of 2021 all I ask is that you Shine Brightly and Take some time to Enjoying Life 🙂
This has been a wonderful journey for me. The main reason why I did Blogmas this year was because I wanted to activate my creativity. Dealing with brain fog and memory loss makes it hard to be creative. One thing I can say is my brain is working at 80% instead of 20%, much better than last year. I am so happy about that! This is my last post for Blogmas and it has been a blast. My creativity was working so well I even wrote a short story. I am very proud of myself for completing all 12 days with special guest posts. Did you all enjoy it as much as I did? Ok, lets get back to the title of this post: decorating and doing R.A.C.K. (Random Act of Christmas Kindness).
I like decorating but not as much as my daughter loves to. We got a late start with decorating this year but we were able to decorate our trees, a big one and two little ones.
Goldie's Journey 