Are the Holidays a Blur?

By Phenola Moore

November comes and it’s on! From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, some are running around trying to get things prepared for families like shopping, decorating, cooking, traveling, etc. And don’t forget the school and church events that you have to attend.

Before you know it, the holidays are gone and the sad part about it is that it’s mostly a blur. You’re exhausted and why? Because you’ve overextended yourself and didn’t take time to settle down to enjoy the one (God) who made all of this possible?

In the article, “Don't Let Stress Ruin Your Holidays: Some Stress Reduction Strategies,” Lynne Neary, Chicago mother of two said "About two weeks into the season, I feel like I’m ready to capsize" "This year I’m determined to get through the holidays with a minimum amount of stress."

“According to the American Institute of Stress, more than 110 million Americans take medication for stress related causes each week. When the holidays come along, people already predispositioned to stress can find themselves feeling blue and more stressed out than usual” (http://www.healingwell.com/library/health/alden1.asp).

So, stop the madness right now! Re-evaluate your schedule for the next few weeks and edit it by deciding on what you can and cannot do. No, it’s not selfish but it actually may be beneficial to your health.

And using power phrases like, “No, I can’t commit to it.” or “Not this year.” will let others know your boundaries. Because in all that you do, you need to rest, too (now, that’s a catchy phrase – LOL).

And think about what you can do that is fun and relaxing. Maybe a leisurely ride through neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights, attending a sports event with family and/or friends or curling up on the couch, while watching your favorite television show or movie.

You have the power to slow it down, so that the later part of 2012 will not be a blur.

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Avon’s Make-up Maven Contest

How are doing?

As an Avon Representative, there is always something new and exciting going on with my business. This week, I entered Avon’s Make-up Maven Contest spotlighting my “fierce” eye makeup application tips.

Click on http://youtu.be/ganogHwA6ww to view the video because I need as many clicks as possible. So please share it with your family, friends, on your page, etc. Thank you so much.

I used the following Avon products to achieve this “fierce” eyeshadow look for the day.

1. Avon’s True Color Eyeshadow Quad - Vibrant Spice – Item No. 770510 -- $4.99 (regularly $9)
2. Avon’s Glimmersticks Eyeliner – Black – Item No. 387801 – 4 for $10 (regularly $7 each)
3. Avon’s Wash-off Waterproof Mascara – Black – Item No. 864301 -- $5.99 each (regularly $9.50)

You can order it at www.youravon.com/pmoore. Thank you.

The Right to Vote Didn't Come Easy

“My grandmother and my uncle experienced circumstances that would break your heart. When they went to vote, they were asked impossible questions like, ‘How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?’ When they couldn't answer, they couldn't vote,” said Dr. Maya Angelou.

She was referring to the “Black Codes” that were passed the same year that all men over the age of 21 were given the right to vote by the passing of the Fifteenth Amendment (1870). The “Black Codes” restricted the freedoms of African Americans. Among the freedoms restricted was the freedom to exercise the right to vote. Literacy tests, poll taxes, hiding the locations of the polls, economic pressures, threats of physical violence, and other strategies to suppress the African American vote were either found in the Black Codes or flowed from them[1].”

When America was founded in 1776, only white men over the age of 21 who owned property had the right to vote, except for Catholics, Jews, and Quakers[2]. But through centuries of suffrage movements, marches, etc. other groups gained the right to vote.

Take a look at the voting timeline to see when different groups got the right to vote.

Voting Timeline

1920 (19th Amendment)	Women – The Nineteenth Amendment (1920) prohibits the United States or the states from denying or abridging the privilege of voting "on account of sex"[3].
1924	Native Americans – Native Americans can vote in 1924 when Congress grants full U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans via the Indian Citizenship Act. This Act declares all Indians who have not yet been granted citizenship through marriage, military service, treaties, or other specialized laws and who were also born within the U.S. to be citizens, giving them the right to vote. However, many Native Americans continue to be denied the right to vote by states until 19482.
1961 (23rd Amendment)	Residents who live in the District of Columbia are granted the right to vote3.
1964 (24th Amendment)	Made it illegal for states to charge poll tax to voters[4].
Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965	It banned literacy tests and provided federal enforcement of voting registration and other rights in several Southern states and Alaska1.
After 1965	Asian Pacific Americans2
1971 (26th Amendment)	Lowered the voting age across the nation to 184.
1975	Latinos2
Voting Rights Act of 1970	A federal law that seeks to prevent voting discrimination based on race, color, or membership in a language minority group3.
Disabilities Act of 1990	It provided for ballot and poll access for those with disabilities1.

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To read the rest of my writings, log onto www.pressonwebzine.com and www.youtube.com/thephenola to view my videos. Thank you.

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[1] History of Voting Rights in America. (2004). Cobb-LaMarche '04. Retrieved from www.iwantmyvote.com/recount/history.

[2] Eddins Zabela Geri. (2012). Who Gets To Vote? Retrieved from www.ourwhitehouse.org/whogetsvote.html.

[3] Voting Rights. (2003). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Voting_rights.aspx.

[4] Historical Facts. Retrieved from www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/hancock/pol204/history.htm.

Youtube Channel

How are you doing?

Y’all may not know this but I am writer who loves to sing. Therefore, I am sending out this blog to let you know that I have channel on Youtube, "ThePhenola." Now, it's nothing fancy. Just me singing from my heart and soul. :>0

When you get a chance, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKrhoq7oduc&feature=plcp to view my latest video, “That Name” originally recorded by Yolanda Adams, my other posts and artists that I have subscribed to. 

Take care and have a great day!

Baby, You Ain’t in the South



Phenola Moore
This is the outfit I was wearing.

“Baby, you ain’t in the South,” yelled the male passenger in the car that zoomed past me. He was pointing to my clothing as I was walking across the street at the shopping center. It was a warm mid-September day and I was decked out in a multi-colored orange/cream/fuchsia top, off-white skirt with matching shoes.

His comment was wrong on two ways. One, Maryland is a southern state. And two, you can wear white after Labor Day.

Although I am not a fashion guru, I was taught that you can wear white. It just depends on how you wear it, where you live, the occasion and thickness of the fabric.

“Dispelling the Myth: Wear White After Labor Day,” article stated, “… beginning in the early 20th century, white clothing was a symbol of “well-to-do” Americans. It was a status symbol for those who were able to change their clothes by season, white during the summer and darker colors in the winter. It wasn’t proper etiquette to wear white after Labor Day, specifically any clothing below the waist.” (http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/08/30/dispelling-the-myth-wear-white-after-labor-day/). Therefore, wearing a pure white blouse, shirt, tie, etc. was acceptable and is still worn without questioning all year round.

And people in warmer clients usually don’t haggle over whether they can wear white after Labor Day. Ryan Patterson, Access Hollywood said, “Here in Southern California and in places like Florida and Hawaii, white can absolutely be worn after Labor Day,” (http://www.accesshollywood.com).

Also, wearing white during certain religious services year round is acceptable. Traditionally, the bride and flower girl wore it during the wedding ceremony. And now, sometimes the groom and other participants in the wedding party wear it, too.

Members of the clergy wear white robes. And congregants in certain denominations wear white during ceremonies like Communion.

A white linen jacket may be too thick to wear during a New England winter. But white clothing in thicker fabrics like that in a downs coat, leather, corduroy, etc will work.

But if you are still uncomfortable with wearing a pure white suit, jacket, pants or dress, other shades of white like ecru, off-white, cream, winter white, will satisfy your white attire requirement.

Finally, Project Runway Mentor, Tim Guinn’s said in a “Shine” article “I really believe most of these rules are made to be broken. Maybe not head-to-toe white after Labor Day, but for goodness sakes, it's still hot out! People should simply dress in a way that they feel confident and that they feel they look good in.” (http://shine.yahoo.com).

Click on http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/short-but-sweet-michelle-obama-talks-about-first-kiss-with-the-president-on-the-steve-harvey-show to view Michelle Obama in her off-white pants suit that she wore on the Steve Harvey Show in October.

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To read the rest of my writings, log onto www.pressonwebzine.com. Thank you.

9/11 -- Reflecting

So many innocent lives lost in a moment’s time.

Snatched away from us and it’s effects will last a lifetime.

Your death, we prayed for God to deliver our thoughts.

Lonely days and lonely nights are still ripping at our hearts.

You touched us so and we see you in everything that we do.

Whether we’re alone or with family, you are there but we still miss you.

Celebrating, no. Remembering, yes.
Reflecting on your life with us. Remembering, the best of the best.

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This poem is dedicated to the families whose lives were forever changed. And to all who remember that day as if it were yesterday.

BET Sunday Best Alexis Spight’s Look is What Some Young Girls Needed to See

Growing up in the church, I was taught the ways of God by following His direction from what I read in the Bible and watching other believers live out their faith. But what I lacked was someone whose style I could emulate.

I’ve always loved fashion and wanted to wear the latest hairstyles but the looks that I saw either in the church or on Christian television, I thought, would make me look too old and/or outdated. Therefore, I had to carve out my own look (although it wasn’t always embraced). LOL But it was what I am comfortable with.

A few weeks ago, I started watching BET Sunday Best. And what was so refreshing to me is that they allowed a fly dressing, red haired young lady by the name of 18-year-old Alexis Spight to compete. Her look, although different, was fresh and modern. And it wasn’t so out there that any girl/woman believer couldn’t emulate.

I thought to myself, “Finally, the Christian/inspirational community was embracing a woman that girls/women who like me, are a little different, and I could identify with.”

Although she didn’t win, I believe that she will go far in her musical journey.

Congratulations to Joshua Rogers who is the first male to win Sunday Best.

Click on http://www.bet.com/shows/sunday-best.html to find out more about the contestants.

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Happy Birthday Whitney! Your Death Reminded Me to Love Myself From the Inside Out Blog

by Phenola Moore

At Whitney Houston’s funeral, Actor Kevin Costner said at “The Bodyguard” audition, she didn’t feel that she was good enough and/or pretty enough to get the part. He said because of her insecurity regarding her looks that she went in the back and put on more make-up and that it smeared down her face because of the hot lights.

And since her death, some people have been talking about how could such a talented, beautiful woman be insecure about who she was?

Let me speak from the perspective of an African-American woman. It is very easy to either live in that vein of insecurity or visit there from time to time. You see from the time that we enter the world the media and sometimes our community bombards us with images, comments, etc. that we either don’t have the ideal hair texture, skin tone or body type.

 

And when we wear make-up, different hair styles, etc. we are deemed as fake or insecure, while other cultures can freely experiment without judgment.

You see, we are taught someone else’s version of beauty is the best and it takes a lot of internal detoxing to get rid of these demons.

I realized that I still had issues a few years ago. My friend, Barbara Holt Streeter started a wonderful business, The PR and Protocol Group (www.prandprotocol.com) that includes apparel and accessories that empowers, educates and equips girls and women. And she gave me one of her “I Am Validated” t-shirts as a birthday gift.

I lifted the shirt out of the gift bag and read the inscription, “You Are Beautiful.” I was excited for the gift but cringed on the inside because of the words.

I told her, “You are trying to get me beat up. I can’t wear that shirt.” She laughed and told me that I was beautiful from the inside out. And I repeated, “I can’t wear it.”

We laughed it off but I was serious. You see throughout my life, especially when I was a girl I have been bullied or treated wrong because people thought that I thought I was cute. They were judging me without getting to know me but humans sometimes do that. And the inscription took me back to that place.

Yes, I’ve seen other girls/women wear that t-shirt with pride? But I couldn’t because of the internal scars that still existed.

Thank you Barbara because that t-shirt confrontation reminded me that I still had issues and it allowed me to push past the internal demons to outwardly express the real me. And Costner’s comments at Houston’s funeral about her struggle encouraged me to write this blog so that someone else will start loving themselves from the inside out.

Thank you God for loving me and by me loving you I can love myself (from the inside out).

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Please leave your comments here and log onto www.pressonwebzine.com to read my other writings. Thank you.

Why I Love Watching the Olympics?

By Phenola Moore

I remember the scene as if it was yesterday. My Uncle Harold was always amazed at my tumbling skills, when I was a girl. You name it, I could do it.

One day, I was doing a handstand outside along the wall of the building while he was visiting. He said that it looked pretty easy and proceeded to try to do one, too.

Needless to say, his handstand turned into a headstand as his arms buckled from under his weight, and soon after his legs came crashing down to the ground.

He finally stood up and exclaimed that he almost broke his neck trying to keep up with me. And that I made it look so easy.  But tumbling was my thing and I could do it without blinking. 

That’s why I love watching the Olympics because it takes me back to the carefree days of my youth as I reminisce on the practices with the tumbling squad in elementary school or playing outdoors with my friends.

And there are probably thousands of men and women like me who can relate to one aspect of an Olympic event. We had fun doing it and the events bring it all back to us.

For me, it’s gymnastics. I am on pins and needles watching them flip, fly through the air during their tumbling runs. I smile inwardly as I remember the freedom and joy that I felt with every cartwheel, headstand (freestyle or against a wall), handstand (freestyle or against a wall) or split (side and full) that I did as a girl.

That's my reason. What' yours?

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Update:

Congratulations to the Women’s Gymnastics team for winning gold and Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas for winning gold in Women's Gymnastics Individual All-Around. Also, for Aly Raisman for winning bronze on the balance beam and gold on the floor exercise.

To read the rest of my writings, log onto www.pressonwebzine.com. Thank you.

"Shout to the Lord" with music track

How to Prepare for a Power Outage?

by Phenola Moore

No matter what time of the year that a power outage occurs, it seems that we are never quite prepared. And Friday, June 29, 2012 the residents in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia experienced a derecho.

The Huffington Post article stated, “Virginia, D.C., Maryland Derecho 2012: Aggressive Storm Knocks Out Power To More Than 1 Million, “According to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, a derecho is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to that of tornadoes, the damage typically is directed in one direction along a relatively straight swath" (www.huffingtonpost.com).

If a power outage hits your area, will you be prepared? Items to provide light, phones to keep you in touch with the outside world, non-perishable foods to eat and items to keep you and your family entertained are just a few suggestions.

Candles, flashlights, lanterns and solar/tap light can provide temporary light.

Candles are available in various shapes and sizes. But the important thing to remember about using them is to make sure that someone is always in the room to keep an eye on them. And do not go to sleep with them on.

A flashlight is another light source alternative. A key chain flashlight can be used to guide you outside of a building, lead you to your car and open the door to your home. A hand-held flashlight is larger and can provide light for you as you navigate from room to room.

If you want an item that can light an entire room, a lantern is a good choice. They come in both battery operated models or oil.

And what light source can be used, when it’s time to go to bed? Solar/tap lights can be used as a night light and to navigate your trip to and from the bathroom. And if it a good light source to have, especially, if your child(ren) are afraid of the dark.

Phones are a way to keep you in touch with the outside world but cordless phones won’t work, if your power goes out. And your cell phone battery may eventually run down.

Therefore, a cord phone will work as long as your phone service doesn’t go out, too. And it’s good to have a car phone charger around to charge your cell phone.

After days without power, the items in your refrigerator and freezer will spoil. But non-perishable items like bottled water, canned goods, crackers, canned meat are a few foods that will keep during a power outage.  

And since we are so accustomed to technology, spending a few days without our gadgets may become monotonous. Therefore, I suggest that you always keep around books, magazines, art supplies (especially for the children), crossword puzzles, board games that will fill you and your families time with entertainment.

These are just a few suggestions that may make life a little easier during a power outage.

Note: Miscellaneous items like batteries (flashlight and battery-operated lantern) oil (oil operated lantern) matches (candles) are needed for these light sources.

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Contact Information:

E-mail address: phenolamoore@gmail.com

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