DINOSAURS ARE WAY OLDER THAN JESUS!!!!

Hiya,

This post is dedicated to my little boy. I don't really like to get too deep on here cos, I dunno, some things are best kept to yourself. But I thought, as I do have a lot of readers, I can use my page to create awareness of something that is so close to my heart.
My son has Sickle Cell Disease. As you can see from the picture, he looks perfectly healthy and sometimes I even take for granted (for a split second) that he is ok because his disease is not visible.
However, this is a very serious disease and everyday we (my family and I) have to take precautions to make sure he is well, as a simple trip to the swimming pool or outing to the park could mean he is sick for a week if he is not wrapped up properly, hydrated etc.
As he is getting older, in a way it is a bit easier because he can tell me if he feels pains or is tired, but also he is realising the realities of the disease and I think it kinda scares him.
The other day he had a bad day and was feeling weak and nearly broke my heart when he started questioning the fairness of being dealt such a bad hand. He never complains and him saying something made me realise he must really think about it...
I was lost for words. How do you tell a child that has felt pain you can't even imagine that it IS fair??? I was speechless.
Luckily some friends of mine have given me suggestions of ways to explain to him that he was given this because he is strong enough to cope with it. And it is true. He does all the things the other children do...as you have heard me tell you loads of times, he plays football every weekend (when he is in good health). He just has to rest more before and after as he tires quicker and has asthma too!

So anyway, he had a bad day, which in turn made me have a bad day. But like I said in the last post, if you stay in that frame of mind, things will never get better. My friends reminded me of what a special gift he is and when I picked him up from school he was so full of beans and had probably gotten over it before I did! He is a great example. I know everyone thinks their child is special, and they are, but I have to congratulate my son for his approach to life. He doesn't give up because it is harder to achieve the same as everyone else, he pushes that bit harder. And because of this, despite being the youngest in the class, he is one of the highest achievers. So I am a proud mum!

I have been involved in projects relating to Sickle Cell before and would like to continue to raise more awareness and funds as there still is no cure and there are so many sufferers out there. So I would like you all to support me and will be giving you details on how you can do so in due course.

On a lighter note...this child really makes me laugh. On the way back from dinner last Sunday we were listening to Luther Vandross in the car and he says to me "Mummy is he dead? " and I was like, "yeah, actually he is", so he said, "how did he die?",
I told him "I think he had a stroke", "what's that" he asked. " Oh I think something to do with the nervous system" (probably totally wrong information)
He says "Oh I get it, he died cos he was really nervous"...LOL

I couldn't stop laughing...that was soo cute.

And today, totally out of the blue as we are coming home from dinner again he says to me, "Dinosaurs are way older than Jesus"....I just looked at him and shook my head. The things that go on in that boy's head! LOL

Anyway night people
Till the next time

Love
Nads xxx

LIVING MY LIFE LIKE IT'S GOLDEN :)

Hey people,

It is a glorious day, the sun is shining and, you know, even if it wasn't I'd still be happy!
Now I am not saying I don't have off days, I have even told you a couple times that I am feeling a bit sad or p'd off , but generally, I am sure you can agree that I seem pretty happy...Well it wouldn't be a lie.
I realise I am blessed though because of what I have. A family and friends that love me and a great support network that appreciates me.
Sometimes doubts creep in and if you hold on to them they will drag you down. The worse thing a person can do is not appreciate the blessings they have in life and not acknowledge and use their gifts.

Have you noticed that when you are feeling bad, bad things seem to surround you?

" Your thoughts determine your frequency, and your feelings tell you immediately what frequency you are on. When you feel bad, you are on the frequency of drawing more bad things. When you feel good, you are powerfully attracting more good things to you." (The Secret)

I feel this is very true because I have been in certain situations recently where negativity has tried to distract me and get my attention, and I am not saying it is easy to ignore, but in ignoring it, I have had more time to concentrate on the positive and am now reaping the rewards!

I am just human, and like I said, sometimes I have down days but trust me being positive, thinking positive is the way forward.

Like Jill Scott says, "I'm living my life like it's Golden" ! You should too.

Nads xxx

MY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND !!!!

Good morning, Wow it's Monday already...time really does fly when you're having fun. Okay so, I told you about Saturday morning, going shopping etc. I was home by 2ish so I just chilled for a few hours and chatted on my fone, responded to my first few Birthday messages etc. Then started slowly getting ready for the evening ahead. I had a lovely bath with some lovely Laline products and came out with the softest skin and smelling as sweet as a rose! The bath is always the longest part of my 'getting ready regime', but once that was out of the way, it was all go. Nails, hair, makeup ...and before I knew it, my friend was ringing my doorbell armed with her camera and a gift...A beautiful Swarovski necklace. Really simple, but elegant. When you get past 16, you don't really expect much, well I don't so I was surprised that I actually got so many pressies... So, the night started off great already. I felt a million bucks in my new dress and was overwhelmed, by my first two generous gifts so I jumped into the car and headed to Carbon in Marble Arch (Central London). We arrived at the venue and it was buzzing already. Quite a few of my girlies were there already and the music was off the hizzle. The D & G Specialists (the promoters) did a great job of hosting and catered to all our needs. They made the night run as smoothly as possible and always kept a smile on their faces. So Geran and Antoinne, I salute you xxxx http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21630862054&ref=ts#/group.php?gid=21630862054 (check out their facebook group if you want a night out to remember) It was a joint birthday celebration for me and one of my best mate's Nadia! Her birthday was a couple weeks ago, but she was abroad so we thought we'd do a double celebration. So you can imagine...It was WILD!


It was such a nice atmosphere, no pretentiousness, just good vibes and we had the people with us that we love! We all let our hair down and had a good old boogie :) Surprisingly, I survived my 5 inch heels and even wore them the next day to dinner...

PART TWO


My actual birthday was yesterday and my mum recommended we have dinner at the Mandarin Kitchen in Bayswater...she had been there before and vouched for the food. Anyone who knows my mum, knows she is fussy so I took her word for it and i am glad i did. The food was exquisite and the service was excellent. We all came away satisfied and I also had loads to take home!!


By the time I had reached home on Sunday evening, I had received over a hundred messages wishing me happy birthday. I felt bad not replying to them one by one because I actually personally know at least 70 % of the well wishers. But as you can imagine, I am tired so I made them all a little video message and posted it on fb...i hope they all see it and don't think I am a rude cow for not responding, or if you guys are reading this, THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your messages, much appreciated! I'm gonna get some shut eye now, because I have a few hours on my hands till I have to pick up Mr. Trouble. Catch ya later Nuff Love Nads xx

:) Happy birthday to me!!!!!!

Darlings,

This is just a quick one as I should have been sleeping ages ago. But I keep getting birthday messages and phonecalls etc, so I am still up!
My birthday has not been a happy time for me for the past few years as someone very close to me passed away around this time. So usually, I am very reflective and a bit down. But this year I think I have broken through a barrier. I still missed that person, who played such a big part in my life, but I was able to appreciate the fact that although he is no longer with me, I have my life and it is a great one.
So I just wanted to share that with you...time is definitely a healer and I know he is watching me...but I hope he missed the part when I was tipsy last night though ;)
Anyway, it has been an eventful and wonderful weekend. I will fill you all in tomorrow.

Nite nite

Nads xx

It's time to party...

Hey,

I haven't got long....I am getting ready for my bday party! I know it's only 6:30pm but it's an extra special day so I have to make sure I pull out all the stops and also get ready slowly cos I don't want to stress myself out.

I'm feeling great and glad that I will have a whole bunch of friends and family there. They've been phoning me all day asking me what they should wear...normally I am the best person to ask because I love fashion, but today I am pre-occupied with ME! A girl can be selfish once in a while can't she????


I have been shopping two days in a row...yesterday at the crack of dawn I made it down to Westfield shopping centre...and it is pure heaven on earth!!! Wow...I was in Paradise.
I picked up a killer pair of heels, accessories and a bit of make-up and reluctantly left because co I had to get to the school for 3:15... :(

This morning I took my son to football at Westway sports grounds and decided to do a bit of shopping on Portobello road. It was so busy, so I quickly grabbed a couple of bits and headed out of there within half an hour. I hate crowds.

And on my way home I popped into my new favourite designer boutique and picked up my birthday dress, which was a lovely treat from a special person :)

So I have been lazing around the house for a bit but now it is time to beautify myself...I am sooooooo looking forward to tonight ....

Speak to you when I have recovered ! LOL

xxx

LONG TIME NO SEE!

Hey my bambini..
I am so sorry it has been so long since I have written something on here. But I have been so busy. I barely have time to sleep. It's a good thing I can sleep anywhere because over the past 2 weeks I have had to sleep in some pretty random places and take any opportunity to catch some shut eye.

Last week I had the the honour of having Reverend Al Green watch me do my thang and I was ecstatic when he gave me a hug and told me how well I had done. To be greated with such warmth and to have him say such nice things was encouraging. When I have doubtful days or when people who have no idea about music try to put me down (because there will always be one or two) I can think, if Al Green says I'm alright, then I'm alright!
I also got to see him perform and was blown away with his energy. He has more energy than a lot of people half his age...we could all learn a lot about performing from him. He is definitely a legend!

So that was last week...
This weekend I went to North Yorshire to perform @ a charity gig. It was a long journey and a tiring day but it was worth it for the thousands raised for children!
There was definitely no rest for the wicked, lol, cos as soon as I returned on sunday I had to get ready to go see my friend and poet, Natalie Fiawoo perform at Sunday Chic. It was a well organised event with top class acts in a classy surrounding. And Nats smashed it with both her pieces. However her 'Ode to black man' where she touched on all the aspects of black men that she adores, grabbed the audience's attention! The guys were lapping it up and she was definitely in their good books for the rest of the night...but also the ladies, because they could relate.
I was having a really good time there but had to cut it short as I had another event to attend, the 'Freesoul sessions' @ Cargo.
Well respected and established Jazz musician and producer, Mark De Clive Lowe is leaving the sunny shores of Britain for LA so it was a Goodbye party. There was a nice vibe as a lot of my peers were there and there were great performances from Bembe Segue, Vanessa Freeman, Tawiah and Michelle Escoffery.
I was able to catch up with my friends and make new ones. I met two young men (who are friends of friends) who happen to share my birthday (16th November) and we clicked straight away...hopefully they will be able to make it to my celebrations this weekend! Trust me, it's gonna be a mad one!
So I went home Monday morning! feeling really tired but really happy.

Another thing, it was really strange being out on Sunday. I didn't really realise the full effect of all the marketing strategies and exposure I have had until then. I had numerous people coming up to me knowing who I was. Saying, I've seen you on Myspace/facebook etc. You may think I am a bit crazy, because obviously if I put myself out there and I perform on a stage,have a fan page etc people are gonna know me, but the reality is different from theory. It really is quite strange. But nice at the same time, because evryone was so complimentary about my work and all the things I am involved with, so yeah...it was a good feeling. And I appreciated them coming up to me because I am rubbish with remembering faces!

Monday....I got my hair did in the morning so it's nice and silky and fresh :) and pretty much chilled for the rest of the day.

Tuesday...I was meant to have a rehearsal, but ended up sleeping half of the day. I think my body was over tired from the past two weeks events. So although I was disappointed I didn't get to sing, my body got a rest. Which was needed so I could enjoy myself at the Raphael Saadiq show!
I had been looking forward to it for weeks and he certainly didn't disappoint. His band were on point and so was he! I feel sorry for all my friends that couldn't make it for one reason or another because they definitely missed out...But i have filmed some of it for you (actually quite a lot)...
And after the show, my sis and I went back stage to have a little chat with him. He was tired, but still made time for a little chin wag which was nice. I definitely can't wait to see him again soon.

I will be doing some more shows soon...I am waiting for some dates to be confirmed then will let you know, so please bear with me.

OMG it is nearly 4am and i have to be up in a few hours.
Gotta love you and leave you. Will touch base real soon.

Nads xx

Yay !!!!

Hey you!
Been on the road. Was in Manchester yesterday, and it was a long uncomfortable drive. But I made it there and back which is a blessing in itself!
I'm excited because I have put on 3 pounds!!! Yay...I know it doesn't sound like much, but I have been trying to put on weight for the past couple months.
Maybe it's all the food I've been scoffing in my dressing room or on the bus. Dunno, but I'm just glad that finally I am winning! In more ways than one...but I can't go into that now...will save that for another day. ;)

Anyway. Gonna go now and put little man to bed, he's just had his bath so there are nice little footprints all over my nice wooden floors!!!!...have a nice evening xxx

I've got a lot to smile about :)

Hey my little chicas and chicos!
I hope you are all well, healthy and happy.
Lately I have been a bit pre-occupied with all the different crazy things that have been going on in my crazy little world!
I know I have a little moan to you guys now and again, but you all are such great listeners! LOL.
There's still a million things going on, but I feel a bit more in control of maybe a hundred of them, so that's something.
Although I am still in desperate need of a getaway, just so I don't go into virtual breakdown stage again, I feel like there is a light at the end of the very long, bumpy tunnel, and feel I can hang in there for a bit longer.
I have had some very generous offers and will almost definitely escape before the end of this year...but don't worry I will be back.

I had an early start today...football in Chessington @ 9:30am...no that wasn't a misprint..9 bloody 30 in the morning on a Sunday. Thank God X Factor was so boring last night that it put me to sleep otherwise I would be cranky right now! But no, X Factor put bored me to tears, and you know after a good cry you feel tired, so I slept like a baby! So I was able to get up in time to take the little munchkin to football.
Question to all the parents that are reading this...is it all kids or just mine, that has verbal diarrhoea from the moment his eyes opens to the time they close at night... and this child (of mine) also talks in his sleep!
I'm driving to this random football field in the middle of nowhere and Master Charles wants to talk the whole way there, which is distracting when you don't know where you're going. I could have strangled him! Stay away from those phones...I was only kidding. LOL

Anyway, as usual, they lost! pffft. What a waste of time? But at least he will go to bed early because he is totally cream crackered.

I am still catching up with the washing from last week, plus i have to fold it all etc...'sometimes it's hard to be a woman'...giving love to just one man is a piece of cake, but all this housework stuff is not the lick! HELP

I really need to get a cleaner again. But I find it hard to leave someone going through my personal stuff, but I simply don't have the time, energy or desire to do all the tidying up myself!

Anyway, gotta go pack my bag, I'm off to Manchester tomorrow. Not looking forward to it because it's so much colder up there than in London. Gonna have to get me thermals out...ooh sexy! LOL

Night night

Nads xxx

Sleep is under-rated!

So...I've had a couple days of pure laziness and it's done the world of good. I have a lot more patience and tolerance than I've had in ages. Prime example this morning. On my way to Tesco which is a 2 minute walk from my house I saw this elderly woman struggling with her trolley. So being the good samaritan offered to help and she reluctantly said yes. I don't understand why. So with all my strength I forced the trolley out of the designated area of the car park and onto the housing estate. Then the woman simply took hold of the trolley, without a second look at me, grunted and crossed the road. Pffft. Can you believe it? I have been brought up to respect my elders, even if they are grumpy, but this incident made me understand the youths a bit more because it's really hard to have respect for those who disregard you.
Oh well. I won't let this incident put me off. I will still help another elderly person. I used to work in Care home for a few years and realise that most appreciate any little gesture. So please people, especially the youngsters, don't be put off by the ignorant few!

Back to my point, if I hadn't been so well rested I would have probably given the cheeky lady a piece of my mind. But, her ignorance is not my problem, it is hers. I simply laughed and went about my business and got bits for my son's packed lunch as he is going to some BMX thing today.

So now I'm back at home catching up on all the washing etc that has piled up over the past week meanwhile I have been busy...and lazy!

I would just like to once again take this opportunity to apologise to all the people who came to my gig and were not able to stick around for my performance. My slot was changed without my knowledge and I hope this didn't cause too much inconvenience.
I will make sure that in the future that I perform as close to the scheduled show time as possible because you guys are important to me and I wanna keep you happy.
So BIG apologies from me and my team.

Going to get back to the housework now! A woman's work is never done...

Nads xx