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My Year of Change Challenge!

A new year generally comes with new resolutions. Lots of them made, and lots of them unsuccessful. “According to U.S. News, approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February, so the odds are against you.” I must admit, I’ve contributed to that 80%. The most common resolution, at least for me, is to lose weight. I’ve had mixed results. Some success, some failures. You know, it happens. I’m not going to beat myself up about it.

Instead, I’ve decided that 2018 will be the year of challenge for me. Challenge myself to live a better life by creating a better me! Sounds lofty right? How will do this, I’m sure your asking? Well, my plan is to create a new challenge for myself monthly. Per Scott Young, “Three to four weeks is all the time you need to make a habit automatic.” Committing to a whole year, I know for me is overwhelming, and also where I seem to go wrong. I get bored, overwhelmed or frustrated and I quit.

So, instead, in 2018, I’m taking baby steps. 30/31 day baby steps. Creating a habit in those 30/31 days and hopefully letting the lesson and the momentum to carry me forward. First challenge of the new year is the Vegetarian Challenge!

Let me FIRST say I don’t want to be a vegetarian! Shout out to my loves Courtney and McKenzie. Courntey gave up pork ages ago and is joining me in this challenge and McKenzie who decided she wasn’t eating meat and has moved full steam ahead. I’m proud of you both. But that’s not me! NOPE! NO WAY! I subscribe to the school of thought that everything tastes better with bacon. Yes, indeed! And if you have spent any amount of time with me you’ve probably heard me say some version of “I’ll probably die eating a cheeseburger” OR “if I’m on death row my last meal will most definitely include a bacon and blue cheeseburger.” I’m just a cheeseburger type of girl! So, no I haven’t watched the documentary on the meat and/or poultry industry. I’m just not there yet. However, if it interest you here’s the link, and another link, and another. Knock yourself out! Knowledge is power and far be it from me to keep you from it. Just know that I have not watched any of the items I just provided to you. So, don’t @ me about what you might see. (You have been warned).

However, while I’m not trying to be a vegetarian, I am trying to create a better, healthier me. And I’ve decided to challenge myself to creating a better, healthier me and by extension a habit of eating better and healthier by going meat-less for 30 days! Less meat means more fruits and vegetables, which means healthier, cleaner eating, which means healthier cleaner ME!

Wish me luck! One week down and three more to go! I’ll be sure to keep you posted on my progress!

Dream Big,

Big Hair Tricia

Welcome 2018!

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Wow, it’s 2018 already! 2017 went be so quickly for me. It really did. My 2017 was filled some really awesome high’s and some unfortunate lows. I’ve learned something from them all and I’m excited and nervous for what is ahead in 2018.

As I reflect on the past year I’m reminded of the blessings of a daughter that graduated from college,

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A beautiful family vacation to Jamaica,

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and the opportunity to celebrate two young ladies who were headed off to college.

The year wasn’t without some low’s of relationships damaged, professional and academic challenges and too much self doubt. However, all in all it was a good year. I’m constantly learning to listen to God’s direction and to focus on the positive instead of dwelling on the negative.

I’m thankful for the people that help keep my focused, challenge me and cheer me on,

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and the family that loves me in spite of my flaws and all.

So cheers to a new year filled with promise! The sky’s the limit!

Dream Big,

Big Hair Tricia

About Tomorrow

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As I sit to write this, my mind is thinking about a ton of things, and one thing all at the same time. I know that probably doesn’t make much sense, but one thing can change absolutely everything in life.

If you would have told me five years ago, or even twenty years ago, at this moment in my life, I would be doing this one thing, I would have laughed. HARD. But as the saying goes, we make plans and God laughs. He had other plans, and truthfully so did I. Twenty years ago, my focus was singular, and it wasn’t on this. It was my daughter/family.

No regrets, because I now know better than to questions God’s timing. It wasn’t my time and it wasn’t His destiny for my life to be doing this twenty years ago. He kept removing people and things from my life and I kept placing myself back where I had just been removed from. Until now. I’ve done all I can do. A lot of pressure, and no pressure at all because I have faith.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (KJV).

Sabbatical

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So, as I’m sure I’ve said before, this blog is a lot of different things. I’m not just one thing and neither is the blog. I like a lot of things, I do a lot of things and I still have so many more things to become. I’m not limiting myself and I’m certainly not limiting this blog. Any who, fluidity in this blog will be ever-present. It will become just as I am becoming. Recently, I posted what is the beginning of a story. My story, some of her story, mostly the story of our friendship. I’m not sure what it is or what it will become, but for now I’m just sharing.

That being said, I wanted to share with anyone that’s reading along, Mia’s version of how, where and when the “Sabbatical” was born…..

“As I read this, its rings so true, the part about how we are friends even if we are no talking. I cant help but remember how this has always been the case for us. My mind drifts back to 11th grade, to the four-hour daily ballet class we were enrolled in. It was an amazing experience over all, but I do believe that is where the “sabbatical” was born. Although, much shorter in length back then. Everyday before class everyone’s hair had to be placed in a tight neat bun, which was a huge challenge because Big Hair Tricia” was “Bigger Hair Tricia” back then. lol. Anyways, I remember walking in class on days when we were not speaking, and her approaching me with doe eyes and a brush in hand. I’d take the brush and commence to taming her hair, hand her back the brush and we would begin dance class still not speaking. I knew then that we had a forever thing. I Am… Mia”

Let It Snow

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It’s been eight years since I moved to North Carolina and I’m still slightly amazed and annoyed at the panic that ensues when snow is predicted to fall. The mad dash to the grocery store for eggs, milk and bread is not a myth. It is real! Having spent my entire life in a place where snow is expected and is certain to make an appearance during the winter months, I get some childlike excitement when it arrives here in North Carolina. Now, that doesn’t mean I miss the harshness that comes with the winter months up north, but a little fun in the snow was worth a brief photo shoot.

Enjoy!

@BigHairTricia

Coat: Inc. Macy’s

Pants: Joe Fresh

Wellies: TJMaxx

Hat: Gift from Morgan ♥

Goodbye to 2016, Hello 2017!

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I’ve seen a lot of comments on social media lately about how bad 2016 was and how glad people are to see it go. Well, I must admit 2016 was a “Sweet 16” for me. I achieved most of the goals I set out for myself and I had a lot more positive things happen in my life than negative.

On a personal level, I was able to celebrate my daughter’s 21st birthday. The woman she is becoming is giving me so much pride.

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I mended fences with a friend that I missed dearly. Which is a sign of growth for me. It’s often easier to walk away from something or someone than to admit your responsibility in a situation and extend and olive branch. While it was the death of dear friend that led to the mending of fences, I’m thankful that she is back in my life.

In my career life I was able to finally obtain my first degree. I took the path less traveled but I was finally able to achieve something that I have wanted to do for a very long time.

I was also able to get a permanent position with a company that value’s its employee. This was almost eight years in the making, but 2016 has taught me not to question God’s timing.

After 20 years of marriage, my husband and I were finally able to take the honeymoon that we didn’t get to take when we were married. Jamaica was even more beautiful than I remember. I am looking forward to going back in 2017.

I was able to see Rhianna, Alabama Shakes, Lauryn Hill, Anthony Hamilton, Beyonce, Maxwell (twice), and Jill Scott in 2016. It was a busy year in concerts for me. My love for music is obvious, isn’t it?

It wasn’t all the best of times in 2016. I have some relatives that I have grown further apart from and some “friends” that I had to move away from. But everything happens for a reason, even if I don’t know the reason just yet. So, for the first time in a long time I’m leaving a year looking forward with positivity rather than back in regret.

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2017!

@BigHairTricia

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2017 Coming Soon!

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A Mother’s Love

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Proverbs 31:25-26

She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.

I hope all the Mother’s out there had and awesome day doing whatever they wanted to do. I enjoyed my day emensly! I got to go to church with my family, the hubs grilled out to make my favorite dish, I got to spend time with some of my favorite people and my daughter and I took pictures together without getting into an argument! It was one of the best Mother’s Days of recent memory.

Motherhood has to be the most challenging yet rewarding thing I have ever done. I have been blessed with a family of strong women and they have provided me with amazing examples of motherhood. They have shown me how to LOVE my daughter. Some of them are no longer with us. But their love, lessons and memories will be with me always.

Until Next Time!

My Outfit Details: Shirt: Target | Skirt: Dorothy Perkins | Shoes: Marc Fisher/Macy’s

Courtney’s Outfit Details: Shirt: Joe Fresh | Jeans: GAP | Shoes: Sam&Libby/Target

Winner

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Well, March Madness is almost over. I always get a little sad at the thought of the season ending, but thankfully I still have a whole lot of NBA basketball left to watch. This weekend I attended the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Regional with my aunt and cousin. Women’s basketball can be hit or miss. But I have to say we saw some really great basketball this weekend. The TarHeels lost to South Carolina on Friday night, which was a bummer. However, we got to see a really good game between South Carolina and Florida State on Sunday. It came down to the wire, but South Carolina was able to pull it out and will be heading to the Final Four next weekend in Tampa, FL. I was glad to see Dawn Staley, the coach of South Carolina, make it to a Final Four.

This look was my casual, comfortable and no team affiliation look. I eyed this GAP tunic a few weeks ago and waited until I got a 40% off coupon to pick it up. And boy, oh boy, am I glad! It’s super comfortable, long enough to cover up some lumps and can easily be dressed up or down. I obviously choose to dress it down with these eye-catching sneakers that I picked up from DSW. This look was a winner!

Until Next Time!

Tunic: GAP | Leggings: JoeFresh/JCPenney | Sneakers: New Balance\DSW | Tote: GX Collection by Gwen Stefani/ShoeDazzle

Say It Loud!

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Ok, another thing you should know about me is I love music. Almost all kinds, really. That being said, you can assume that my blog post title is probably a song title. This being Black History Month, what better song, than James Brown’s Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud. Right?!

In honor of Black History Month, I decided to take a trip to the International Civil Right Museum which once was the Woolworth’s that four NC A&T State University students staged a sit in. I also visited the statue in their honor on the North Carolina A&T State University campus. Both trips were long overdue. Hopefully, if you are in Greensboro, you will make time to explore the rich history this city has to offer.

Until Next Time!