Pookalitas

Giants!

2012-02-08T20:31:00.001-05:00

Pooka Family…..yes I am still reeling off of the Giants win on Sunday! There’s nothing like a sporting event to get folks together laughing, talking loud and rooting for their team! Donna and I (and our hubby’s and Taiye) attended a Superbowl party at one of our couple friend’s home where everyone was just having a good ‘ole time! What I also like about going to their Superbowl parties is that they incorporate an educational component to the party. At halftime, they do trivia! The trivia topics vary from year to year but one topic always remains and that’s black history. Not only do we have fun watching the game but we’re also stimulating our minds and keeping our history alive with the trivia questions. Another good thing is there’s a wide range of age groups at the party so we are not only re-educating ourselves on our black history but we are also reinforcing it for kids from age 2 to age 22! I encourage you family to incorporate a little black history in everything you do, not just this month, but every month!!

Pookas' Black Enterprise Shoot!

2012-01-27T21:59:00.000-05:00

The Ultimate Bath Workshop!

2012-01-27T08:15:00.004-05:00

Who's the Boss?

2012-01-25T21:03:00.002-05:00

For all of the youngest children in the family, you have to agree with me that you usually got away with more stuff than your older brothers and sisters. At the time you came around your parents were tired so they kinda knew if you did eat the dirt you weren't gonna die or if you didn't eat that balanced breakfast you'd be ok. All was good untill you did the one thing that your parents told you not to do OH BOY then all kinds of stuff broke out! My youngest Wesley turned 6 last week, we looked through the photo album of his pictures and ooh and aaahed over how cute he was and still is to this day. To know Wes is to love him, he is the ultimate entertainer- he sings, dances, raps, acts and just an all around charmer. Of course with him being the youngest I have not been as hard as him as I was/am on his older brother (sorry Will!) but I didn't think I would really need to correct him on anything much because he is just So Cute! Well! Welcome to the real world! Let me tell you how this boy just lost his mind! One day last week, he came downstairs ready for school with $15.00 in his hand. I asked him where did he think he was going with the money? Wes replied that he was going to school with it, where he was going to spend it at the school store. I told him No, you are not going to take that money to school, leave it home. Then I proceeded to put it on the counter and leave. Well obviously that was not good enough for Mr. Wesley, he decided that he was going to take the money to school anyway. As they are leaving for school Will sees that Wes has $ 5.00 in his hand. He says" Didn't mommy tell you not to take that to school." Wes replies "Oh yeah." and then fakes putting it back so his brother doesn't see him (Were you ever that sneaky?). Now we have two people that have told Wes not to take the money to school (I'll give him a little credit that he didn't take the $ 10.00 also). I come home and Wes is all love love to me. My mother, who is visiting us, said he came right home from school and got to work on his handwriting and math. He was so diligent, saying "I have to do my work for mommy". Uh huh. As I walk into the kitchen I notice the $10.00 bill but no $5.00 I asked my mother did she see a five? She said no. I asked Will and he started yelling at me, "I told Wes to put the money back!" I called Wes downstairs, "Where is the money?"....."I took it to school."......"After I told you not to?"....."I didn't know you didn't want me to take it." My mother had to put my eyes back in my head! " What!!!!!! Didn't I tell you not to take the money!", I said to him and of course he replies...Yes (he starts crying here, because he can see on my face this is not going to end well for him. " Go upstairs right now!" I proceeded to let him know who the boss was, I don't think I'll be having any problems out of Mr. Wes for a long time. P.S. and if you talk to him just ask him who the boss is!

Snow Day Fun!!!

2012-01-21T11:19:00.004-05:00

Snow Day!!! Don't miss out on the fun and specials!!!

Visit our fanpage at 1:00pm today and play some trivia, win some free Pooka!!!

Also enjoy $3.00 Shipping ALL DAY LONG!

Vote on our Pooka Flash sale and more!!

Click to visit the fanpage fun!

Gratitude

2012-01-18T22:12:00.001-05:00

Greetings Pooka Family! Happy New Year!! Here we are once again alive and well to see another year. Amen to that!!Time truly waits for no one. I really feel the speed of life as I get older. Makes me more conscious to be present in and appreciate each and every day. Whether good, bad or indifferent I am here to experience it! My sister Tricia and I do what I guess you would call a gratitude exchange. We send each other an email of what we are grateful for each day. Could be something very personal or it could be that I caught the train on time lol! The point is to take a minute to reflect on what you are grateful for each and every day. The exercise of writing it out and releasing it to the universe (well ok to Tricia!) is very reflective for me. It is right there in black and white what I feel for that day. My gratefulness is expressed to God for all He has done in my life. I usually send in the morning as a way to start my day in His spirit. Now we sometimes have those days that we don’t get our gratefuls until the evening but we always get them in! What are you grateful for family? Do you write them down and reflect on them? Do you share it with the universe?? Do you let God know what He has done for you? I would encourage everyone to start the year with this exercise and make it personal to you. You can send to a friend or just write down for yourself. Family this will be one of the best things you can do for the new year. Happy 2012!!!

New Possibilities for 2012

2012-01-12T07:21:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year Pooka Family! I am exciting about the New Year and what new possibilities are in {the} store (no pun intended) LOL! As you know from Dawn’s previous post; we have begun our Daniel Fast and this year’s theme as communicated by Rev. Watley (williamwatley.org) is New Possibilities for Faith, Family and Finances for 2012. I love Rev. Watley’s themes each year for the Daniel Fast because he not only lays out the guidelines for the Fast through the word of God but his themes also challenge me to look outside of just the abstinence to food but also inward towards what I am seeking for myself through God. This year I took the time to right down exactly what new possibilities I would like to see come to fruition. That was a crucial first step for me because once I write something down; I look at it every day to see if I’ve completed it so I can check it off. One other thing we (the Pookalitas) did this year that we didn’t do last year is that we each invited one other sisterfriend to join us in the fast. For the one who did join us, we are happy that she has taken on the commitment and to the others who were not ready to do so, we still include them in our Daily Word.

Pooka Family, I hope that each of you have thought about what new possibilities lay in store for you and are open to receive them

Oh the Possibilities!

2012-01-04T19:54:00.002-05:00

Hi Pooka Family and Happy 2012!! We are blessed and excited to start this new year!

I’m always excited every January because its a brand New Year and its filled with lots of wonderful possibilities! Make sure you start your year off in a positive way. Below are some of the things that I’m going to do!

I’ve decided to make no New Years resolutions, but instead to just make some positive goals. I found my list of Pooka goals that I made last year and when I looked at my written goals and looked at our Vision Board at the office one thing was on both a flagship location! 2011 was a big year for Pooka since we did open our first retail location! This just solidified my decision to make new 2012 goals.

Positive Affirmations!
I am big about writing things down and reading over them. Words matter and the words that you speak and your thoughts manifest in your life. Be careful of what you say and think, start your day looking in the mirror and say something wonderful about you and the day that you are getting ready to enjoy! This is a great book about healing by using positive affirmations called “You can heal your life”, by Louise L. Hay

Fasting

This is the 2nd year that the Pookalitas and I do a Daniel Fast. Its a wonderful spiritual fast, which we find strengthens our faith and gives us vision and direction for our year. Now fasting is not easy, there are many days when my only email to the girls is, “I’m HUNGRY” LOL! But then I munch on some carrots and keep it movin. Its something that we do together and that strengthens our friendships! Here is the outline of the Daniel Fast.

Whatever you do, fasting, setting goals, making resolutions just make sure to take advantage of this blessed New Year and DO something. Take time to be excited about all of the possibilites that this year could hold for you. Choose one and get started!

Come on Martha!!!

2011-12-14T21:53:00.003-05:00

Well Pooka family, being a member of the Indie Beauty Network, a group of us were given complimentary tickets to the Martha Stewart Show! I was so excited when I heard we were going and counted the days! Now you have to understand my excitement, many of you know that I may not be the most....domestic gal (my momma tried but it just didn’t stick) So why would I be so excited about going to the show you ask? GIFTS!!! Come on people its December and we’re going on the Martha Stewart show! I had been watching so many shows and the Holiday give-aways had been fantastic. I had a dual purpose the morning of the show, I had to figure out how I could pay attention to the gifts being given away but also learn NOTHING, thats right people, I didn’t want to mess up my non-domestic record and learning to make a cake or pie might just spoil that, LOL! If I increased my domestic knowledge people would start asking me to cook something besides body butter and I have no time for that! As I marched into the studio audience I was armed with my Christmas List because I had gifts to get and then give away! I had no idea what kind of amazing goodies we would get, would we get ipods? ipads? or maybe even........a CAR!! Now my christmas list wasn’t for items I wanted it was for people I needed to get gifts for! All of my items from Martha were going right to the folks on my list, saving me time and money! The studio was beautiful, lights, cameras and staff buzzing around everywhere! We were taken to our seats and awaited Martha’s arrival! After about 15 minutes finally she arrived and the show began.

The first thing she did was make a cake, I shielded my eyes so that I wouldn’t learn about baking and finally the segment was over. I waited anxiously for them to pass around the cake that she made and....THEY NEVER DID!! Are you kidding me! We don’t get to eat the cake!! I decided to calm down because we were moving to the next segment, I thought about my list and was excited to see what they would be getting. The next segment, Martha had a crafty woman making leather bracelets, she explained how it was done, by punching holes into the leather and then you string the beads. At that moment Martha exclaimed, “Everyone in the audience will be getting my craft leather hole puncher!” WHAT???!!! A leather hole puncher, I quickly, mentally scanned my list, who the heck could I give that to? Alright, I decided not to panic, I knew there were more segments to come and I’d get the latest technology gadget to give someone! So now Martha moves to the next segment where she starts making planters and garden items out of cement, now I was getting worried but I was still being positive and thats when Martha says, “Everyone in the audience will be getting this book on how to make garden gifts out of cement!” WHAT!!!!!!! A cement makin book, really Martha!! So now we move on to the last segment and I’m sweating bullets now, I need to finish my Christmas shopping. Martha starts looking at a bunch of pretty picture frames and announces that we will all be getting gift certificates to an online photo website, where we can upload our pics and print them out. I was floored! No ipod, no computer and definitely NO CAR! NO MARTHA NO!!! Finally Martha ended the show by making Chicken Liver Mousse and something about the whirling of the stupid food processor caught my eye and I was in a trance and couldn’t turn away. So on top of getting no good gifts I now know how to make Chicken Liver Mousse!!!! The devastation!!!!

All in all it was a good time and getting to meet other members of the Indie beauty network was the best! Unfortunately Donna will be getting a leather hole puncher and my mom is getting a cement garden book and I will be making Chicken Liver Mousse sandwiches for my dad and brother, all together now....THANKS MARTHA!

End of Another Year!

2011-12-08T08:52:00.002-05:00

Well Pooka Family….we’ve just about made it to the end of another year! We are so thankful for God’s mercy in bringing us to it and through it! We thank him for his mercy, his love, his gifts and his blessings and lastly we thank God for you! Dawn, Donna, April and I are so thankful for each of you and your continued love and patronage thru this journey of Pooka which HE has bestowed upon us. As we enter into the Christmas season, we hope that you will continue to be a part of our family!! Please make sure you come to our Christmas party on December 17^th so we can give a Christmas hug to each and every one of you!!!

Love Always,

The Pookalitas

Pooka Workshops this week!

2011-12-05T09:05:00.002-05:00

We've got lots of Holiday Fun Planned this week! On Friday join us for our Relax & Unwind soap making workshop and Saturday its time for our Annual Pooka Girl gift making workshop! RSVP today! Click to RSVP or for more information!

The Tap Dance….Lady!!

2011-11-16T18:17:00.002-05:00

Greetings Pooka Family! Hope everyone is well. I am still basking in the glow of a two week vacation. You don’t realize how much we do, every hour and every day until you take a much needed time out! I recommend it to all. One of the highlights of my vacation was meeting Savion Glover!! Now those of you that know me realize I have a tap dance dream! I want to be a tap dance SUPER STAR!!! I have always had an obsession with this art of dance. Something about the rhythm, movement and story that can be told through tap. It is a form of expression that is deep rooted way back to the Nicolas brothers all the way up to Savion. I feel like Savion is a cross between my son and my mentor lol! I have seen him perform as a child in the Tap Dance Kid to an adult in Bring the Noise on Broadway and beyond. Tap is his gift and talent (as a blabbed to him when I saw him!!) and I see that gift every time I watch him dance. I have not tapped since I went to the Evelyn Brown School of dance when I was five! However, I believe that it is never too late to follow your passion. I will one day buy a pair of tap shoes size large and I will tap my heart out! All of you will be invited to the recital. I didn’t get my lesson from Savion but I did get my picture!!

Boooo Walgreens!

2011-11-10T06:14:00.003-05:00

Greetings Pooka Family! Welcome to November! If you’ve been following our blogs from the beginning you’ll know that November is the month of my favorite holiday….Thanksgiving!!! But sorry family, I don’t want to talk about that – I need to vent about an incident I encountered at Walgreens.

Last week Taiye’s preschool phoned to tell me that she was wheezing and having problems breathing. I instantly pulled her prescription documents and called in a renewal to our local Walgreens using the touch tone refill procedure then headed directly for the pharmacy to retrieve the prescription. Once I arrived I explained to the pharmacist named ________ (I’ll be kind and leave her name blank) that my daughter’s school called and that she was having breathing problems and I’d just phoned in the prescription for her inhaler. _________ told me that I had to wait at least 30 minutes because she had several orders ahead of mine. Please note: although she may have had several orders pending, there was only one customer sitting in the wait area. I explained to __________ again that my 2 year old daughter is having problems breathing; hence, the urgency of this order. ____________ said to me again that I had to wait until she processed the other orders ahead of mine. In the background another pharmacist heard my plight and passed the inhaler to her but ____________ proceeded to take a phone call and then she proceeded to take care of another customer who had subsequently walked in. Needless to say, I was extremely upset and began to feel enraged. At that moment my phone rang, it was Taiye’s school again and the Director informed me that she is throwing up now. _________ overheard my conversation and with that she decided to take action and process my order.
Why do we have to go through situations like this family? I was doing my best to be very calm and not reach behind the counter to snatch the living @#$% out of this woman! I have to admit, I came very close to doing so but instead I took her name, paid for Taiye’s prescription and left to get to my baby. Of course, I have written a letter to Walgreens executive offices and will await their response. Regardless of their response, they will not receive my business again! Hello CVS, you have a new customer!

Our Grand Opening Day Video!!!

2011-11-07T07:21:00.000-05:00

POOKA Grand Opening from Will Caldwell on Vimeo.

What not to wear!

2011-11-03T07:04:00.003-04:00

I love this show!! If you haven’t seen it, it’s on TLC and they take a woman and go through her closet and basically, throw away all of her non-fitting, outdated, just plain should not be wearing clothes! This weekend I decided to do my own version of the show. I went into my closet and looked at each piece I had, well let me tell you, I’m glad the cameras weren’t on, I found, deep in the bottom of my drawer.........one...LEGWARMER!! Really Dawn! The things that I pulled out of my closet were shameful! I even had a shirt from college, smashed into a corner and college was at least...5 years ago? WHATEVER?! Well I encourage you to do this, you may feel like you have a lot of clothes but when you take out the silly things you haven’t worn in years, you”ll be down to 4 things like me! I have to say I feel so much less cluttered and i was able to make a large donation to salvation army. It is so easy when I get dressed now, even though its a lot less to choose from I know exactly what to wear. The sock drawer was not let off the hook either, all of those without a partner were put out! So people cleanse not only your body but your closet too!

Scavenger Hunt Today!!

2011-10-31T09:45:00.000-04:00

I share..because....I love you!

2011-10-26T21:33:00.001-04:00

Well people this blog is VERY personal to me!! I am only sharing an embarassing moment because I love my Pooka family and know they won’t judge me! and I have to share some lessons to maybe help someone else.....

So............here goes............

As you all know we have opened our new Pooka Boutique! It’s been a tough time trying to get everything up and running! Since we’ve opened in Sept we had no phones due to the Verizon strike and backlog of service. We finally got our phones up and running but it was at no small sacrifice! I was on the phone with verizon for days, trying to get the techs out, then dealing with them sending the wrong tech and a such! Finally after much frustration I called and spoke to a woman who said she would resolve the problem. I stayed on the phone with this woman for 45 minutes and when she finally got some answers she said that I’d have to wait to speak to someone in another department, so.......I waited another 30 minutes!! I had now been on the phone with verizon for over an hour. Finally she came back and said that I needed to wait more, I told her to just transfer me over the the department where I could CANCEL the service and while transferring me, she disconnected me!! I was enraged so I called back and told my story to another woman, who was shocked at the wait and promised she’d take care of it! So since I was on my cell phone, I waited at pooka on the phone with her for another 30 minutes, then I decided to just drive home, so still on the phone with her I went to the grocery store and picked up dinner and drove home, now I’ve been on the phone over an hour and a half. Finally when I get home and still on the phone with her, she lets me know that the department that I need is still not answering her! Its has now been almost 2 hours on the phone! I ask her to call me back when she’s reached someone but she says that they are not authorized to make outgoing calls! Okay so now that i’ve been on the phone for over 2 hours there is no way i’m hanging up without fixing this problem. I have to admit the woman on the phone was as disgusted as I was and very nice. So finally she says, “Ms fitch, I just spoke to the department that will make the appt. for a tech to come out they said it would be another half hour wait to make the appointment!!!” she says, “But, just put the phone down and I’ll hang on with you. Do what you need to do and I’ll scream out when they are ready”. I was impressed, that was nice of her, so I put the phone down and put it on speaker phone and start making my dinner. Now, hold on people, this is where I need your...understanding! Let me give you some background info, It had been a LONG day, I was tired, I had black bean soup for lunch. Another 30 minutes passed and I totally forgot that she was on speaker phone in my kitchen, so as I’m preparing my dinner and in the privacy of my own home.......................lets just say, I, “released” some wind and not from my mouth!! Yup, the most embarrasing moment ever! As I pooted the soft breeze (that makes it sound so much prettier) I realized I was on speaker phone, I froze and in the quiet of my kitchen I heard a tiny giggle come from my cell phone!! I WAS MORTIFIED!!! I couldn’t even say anything, I just ran into the other room and hid!! DAMN YOU VERIZON!!! When I gathered myself and went back into the kitchen thats when i noticed the MUTE button on my phone!(learn all of the features of your phone people) At that point it had been 3 and a half hours on the phone and she announced that she had made the appointment and then she hung up, never mentioning my wind escapage! Here are the lessons I learned:

Choose AT&T, Cable or 2 tin cans with a string tied between them for phone/internet!

Don’t eat Beans for lunch and then put yourself on speaker phone!

Learn where your mute button is!

Getting Older!

2011-10-20T00:58:00.001-04:00

Greetings Pooka Family! I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful October weather! Here in NJ we’ve had some 80? October days and some 60? days and I am not complaining one bit!

So recently we celebrated Dawn’s birthday and next month we will celebrate mine. We each react differently when our birthday’s come around so of course it sparked another one of our many discussions - if we could, what age would we like to return to i.e. high school or our 20’s or 30’s? As each of our responses varied, this got me thinking about our future and getting older. We usually joke about our age but then I began to think seriously. What will our lives be like when we reach our parents’ age? Will we be as active as some of them are with trips to Atlantic City, Senior Line Dance Classes and active participation in our respective churches? Will our destinies have taken us outside of Jersey to another state or even another country? Or will William, Wesley and Taiye have checked us into some Senior Living facility and have gone on with their lives! LOL!!! Whatever our senior years hold for us, there is one thing we all agree and that is what we do now will affect how healthy and happy our senior living will be. With that said, we all made a renewed focus on eating right, exercise and reducing the level of stress in our lives today. As our bodies and minds grow older, we are not able to readily adapt to the evolutionary change as we could in our younger years. Therefore, it is imperative that we keep our minds strong with thinking exercises like crossword puzzles, suduko and game shows like Jeopardy and of course reading books; and keep our bodies limber with exercise and healthy eating. We look at our parents and think about how proud we are that they are embracing their age with how they have chosen to live their lives and we hope that we can emulate the example they provide by simply living gracefully!

Customer Appreciation Day!

2011-10-14T06:08:00.004-04:00

We just want to say "Thanks!" 11 years and you all have given us so much love and support! Drop by the Pooka Boutique, this Saturday, October 15 so we can show the love!!! Check out all of the fun we have in store for you!!

Our favorite Pooka Products!

2011-10-12T08:29:00.002-04:00

What are your Favorite Pooka Products!!!?

Well I LOVE every Pooka product, LOL!! Actually I definitely have my favorites, I love the fresh sugah whipped cream its a staple for me and something about the coconut scrub makes me feel exhilirated when I use it and my new love is the deodorant powder, I use it everywhere and I feel so Au Natural!

My new fav is cocoa baby, I love the consistancy its great for me, hubby and Taiye! This is my all year round staple foot butter, great for your feet, headaches, muscle aches. Can’t forget my guava polish, I feel brand new everytime I use it!

I am all about the Papaya Orange, maybe its my move to sunny NC, but that Papaya Orange Oil and gel get my day going everymorning! I put the Guava Butter on wes and his teachers love it, amazingly enough Will, my oldest is starting to go to Caliente Man Butter!! My little man!!!

Hmmmm.......I’m going to have to say pomegranate polish, I love anything pomegranate!, The papaya butter is also a favorite its nice and soft, perfect for anytime of year and of course my hair butter, how else would I keep my fab fro maintained!

What are your favorite Pooka Products?

Pooka Pink Party!

2011-10-07T09:25:00.003-04:00

Join us this Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Pooka Boutique for our Pooka Pink Party!

Pooka Pink Party!
This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Join the Pookalitas at the Pooka Boutique this
Saturday, October 8 and THINK PINK!
We all know someone who has been affected by
Breast cancer. We need to educate ourselves and others.
This Saturday for every purchase you make we’ll add a foot butter to our Pooka Pink Basket! At the end of the day we‘ll donate our basket to a Cancer Treatment Center.

Stop by for some Pooka Pink Cupcakes
and relax in our Pooka Pink Lounge
Shareyour stories, inspire and educate someone!

Gender or Race???

2011-10-05T15:56:00.000-04:00

Greetings Family! Hope all is well. I was talking with my sisters and just reflecting on life as we often do. I made the comment that I felt especially favored that God made me a woman of color! I am proud of the skin I am in!! I would never change the color of my skin or the gender of my body. It then led us to a deeper conversation which posed the question….Are you a black woman or a woman who is black??? So fellow Pooka family, I pose to you the same question. I know that you, our family, are made up of many different nationalities. I also know that our Pooka family contains many men! So do you define yourself by your race or origin, by your gender or maybe you are just from Jersey! Interesting discussion to have and I would love to hear your thoughts. Oh me…….I am a black woman!
Didn’t you see my fro!

Peace Family

Wind Down Wednesdays!

2011-10-05T10:16:00.004-04:00

Make sure to drop by and unwind after a long hard day at our Wind Down Wednesday! Every Wednesday at the Pooka Boutique, just sit and relax for a moment. We'll supply the Herbal Teas and the Lavender, you just bring you! We started just for the teachers but we got so many people that needed to "unwind" that we've made it open to everyone!

Every Wednesday
Pooka Boutique
15 South Essex Ave.
Orange, NJ
973-677-1985
3-6pm

Pooka Boutique Scrub Bar!

2011-10-04T19:36:00.001-04:00

Fall Butter Up Sale!

2011-10-03T09:05:00.004-04:00

Well everyone Fall is here! We all know the great benefits of shea butter, so lets do all we can to keep our skin moisturized before the weather gets colder! Take advantage of the Butter Up sale, its extended til today!

Click to get some!!

Thanks Madame Noire!

2011-10-03T09:00:00.003-04:00

Madame Noire did a great story on us! What a blessing! Check it out!

Entrepreneurs to know!

Anniversary

2011-09-28T21:13:00.002-04:00

Greetings Pooka Family! Welcome to September! All the kids are back in school, traffic has increased on the GSP and the weather is beginning its transition into those cool nights! This month also marks my 5 year wedding anniversary! YAY!!! I am very proud to have made it to 5 yearsJ! My husband and I, like many couples, have experienced and continue to experience the ups and downs of marriage but I am proud that we are both committed to becoming a strong Black Family! During our anniversary dinner, we reflected on some of the things that we need to be mindful of in order to nourish our relationship with each other. It’s so easy to get caught up in our day-to-day responsibilities i.e. work, Taiye’s needs, grocery shopping, cooking, Pooka responsibilities, business travel, etc., etc., etc. We both acknowledged that we have made very little time for “us” so we’ve committed to put a little more emphasizes on doing so. I hope to never have to utter the D-word and provide a positive image of Black Family for Taiye. My prayer is the same to each of you Pooka Family!

What a Day!

2011-09-23T09:28:00.004-04:00

Hey Pooka Family!

Well last week we celebrated the Grand Opening of our new Pooka Body Boutique! It was such a blessed, amazing, successful, proud day in Pookaville! At noon we had an official ribbon cutting with the Mayor of Orange and we all gave our little speeches and then snipped that ribbon and we were open! I could'nt believe how many people flowed through our doors that day. It was a steady flow all day long! It was a great celebration, we had food and drinks, an R&B singer, we had a photowall and a fabulous Pooka Cake created for us! I have to say, If I never have a wedding, this will be a good stand in, LOL!! Enjoy the photos!

Click to see all GRAND OPENING PICTURES

The Earthquake

2011-09-07T21:20:00.001-04:00

Greetings Family!
Well I don't even know where to begin. Family we had an earthquake.....in New Jersey. It was one of the most out of body experiences I have ever had! Very scary yet very powerful at the same time. It made me think that you must truly live in the moment. Not in an end of days kind of way but just that every day should be cherished. I truly believe that God does not want us to live in fear. So honor your relationships, check off the things you write on the to do list, practice those random acts of kindness. Make those phone calls, write those letters, take time to make yourself smile! I sometimes send my sisters the Daily Word as a way for us to start our day. Of course since I have been extra busy I have not sent in awhile. Well today I needed to send more for me than for my sisters. I would like to share with you. Allow every earthquake in your life to energize you!

Energized
I am energized and rejuvenated.

Each morning when I awake, I have the opportunity to start my day with prayer. Aware of my innate creative power, I am invigorated by Spirit within. I then move ahead empowered, choosing uplifting thoughts, positive statements and purposeful actions that reflect my greatest intentions.

If ever I feel sluggish or unmotivated, I pause and pray. A few minutes of communion with Spirit revives my vital energy and awakens my enthusiasm. In Spirit, I am confident, knowing that all things given to me will be accomplished, that all that is not understood will be revealed, all that is difficult will be made easy.
Amen Family!

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-31T23:50:00.003-04:00

Greetings Pooka Family! Hope everyone here on the east coast made it thru Hurricane Irene okay. So here’s my video blog of being stuck in the house with Wale and Taiye during the storm…..enjoy! (and yes, the house is a mess!)

Day 1

Day 1 continued

Day 2

My New Baby!

2011-08-25T06:50:00.003-04:00

Hi Pooka Family!! Well, as you know, I have two boys and people would always ask me if I was going to have a girl. I would just smile and say "No, no more kids for me!" I was happy with the way my life was going, my youngest was about to start kindergarten and I was ready to get back a little freedom. That was the way I felt until I fell in love, after that nothing has been the same! One saturday my kids and I went to Petco, to check out the birds and fish. This is something that we usually do so it was no biggie. Little did I know they were having adoption day and there were about 50 puppies and 30 kittens waiting to be adopted! Of course my kids dived right in, "Oh we want this one, no this one" there were so many choices! Me, being the parent, the voice of reason states, "You can look but we are not bringing anybody home with us!" Of course my kids didn't even pay attention to me as they went around looking for the perfect pup. Then they found her, a buff colored lab mix named Gracie. "Can we keep her mom?" They asked me with big round eyes. Of course I started spouting off all the reasons we couldn't......"Carpet throughout our house, no time, too much money,who's gonna take care of her? Not me!" As I'm standing there debating with them, one of the workers walks up and starts talking about how Gracie would be such a great dog for two growing boys. I look at her like yeah whatever lady! She then says they are not a no kill facility (which means if you don't get picked to go home with soneone, your pretty much fried!) So now I'm feeling guilty, but I don't let that totally stop me, "We don't have the money right now", I tell the children. Just then a couple steps up and they offer to give me a cage that they have, for free! Great! Then the adoption agency throws in a free bag of dog food, with treats! Gracie has had all of her shots and she's spayed! Alright give me the damn dog I say I guess it was just meant to be. I already have a million Gracie, stories to tell, for next time, so stay tuned....

Respect my mode!

2011-08-17T22:39:00.002-04:00

This is more of a rant instead of a blog, sorry! But I gotta get it out, people...you have to respect peoples modes of communication! Let me break this down, I am a texter. Mostly beacause I’m really busy and sometimes I’m cooking pooka at the warehouse, its easier to text a quick short answer than to have a full conversation. As an entrepreneur I have to be careful about my time, because I work for myself, friends and family call to chat all day long. So I usually send a quick text and time when I’ll be able to chat. So when people call me and the phone just rings or I don’t answer they get very upset, but I say, “text me”. Folks don’t seem to like that so they call anyway only to get my voice mail. Now on the other hand I have friends that don’t text so I know If I want to talk to them I have to call them because they don’t text. I have other friends who prefer email so when its time to chat with them I know to email them. I respect their mode of communication. So all I’m saying is if you want to get in touch with someone you have to respect their mode of communication. My favorite are my friends who text me and say....”call me!” I can’t win, LOL! But I have to say that I’m glad that I have this problem because it means I have great friends and family in my life! (you know I had to clean that one up or I would be gettin some angry texts today, LOL!)

Attack of the Protein People!!

2011-08-11T12:00:00.001-04:00

Hey Pooka family, this actually tickled me! Our office manager brings her daughter to work with her sometimes in the summer. So we’re all pretty chummy, having a good time laughing at Pooka. The other day her daughter came into Pooka not so happy, so I asked what was wrong. Apparently she had to go to a birthday party for a cousin of hers but she didn’t want to go because they were “Protein People”, I was shocked!! "What are protein people?", I asked. So she says, “You know they eat raisins and salads and stuff, nothing fun...like you Miss Dawn!” Wow, I was shocked to find out that I am one of the “Protein People!” I felt like a scary zombie that chased kids around and threw boxes of raisins at them, LOL! Although it was funny, I realized we have to make sure our children know that we want to be “protein people”. Our children need a well balanced diet to get them through school and all of the wonderful endeavors ahead of them! So pooka people get your kids on the road to becoming Protein People!!

The New Pooka Body Boutique

2011-08-07T19:04:00.001-04:00

We have been blessed with a new Boutique! Please drop by and visit us! 15 South Essex Street, Orange, NJ! Our hours are 11am-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday.

Who's eating this!!

2011-07-27T16:49:00.002-04:00

Well Pooka family, There isn't too much I can say about this! Living in the south now I run across all types of delicacies! I wanna know who is eating this!

The Change

2011-07-20T08:36:00.002-04:00

Greetings Pooka Family! Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! We’re half way through it already and Mother Nature has definitely made up for that extended winter we had. If anyone is complaining about these 90+ degree temperatures just remind them of that week of snow storms we had in March!

So family, I want to talk to you guys about “The Change”. No, not the change in weather…I’m talking about the change in life. I recently had one of those “ah-ha” moments when I realized that I’ve made the change from that young, single, happening lady to the older, married with child, still happening but not-so-much woman. I guess it came to me when I was reading my email accounts one morning and I received a Groupon or Living Social emails for a 1 day whitewater rafting singles event. I said to myself, “this is something I always wanted to do. I should buy this Groupon/Living Social.” Then I realized, “wait a minute, how am I going to be able to do this and who’s going to do it with me?” I’m not single anymore so I’d have to ask my husband to come with me, but then I would need to find someone to watch Taiye. I could ask the girls if they wanted to do it with me but then thought about this again, no one’s is gonna want to get their hair wet, Donna would look at me like I was crazy and Dawn would say she’s not sure her arms could handle the work of rowing, oh and by the way, who’s gonna watch the store while we’re gone? I guess that’s when I realized that I’m at a stage of my life where those spontaneous events I used to do without a second thought now requires a little more planning. That’s not to say that I have totally given up on doing anything new and exciting. I’ll still think about doing those fun events when I get those emails, I’ll just have to really think it through before I purchase.

Our Big Announcement!

2011-07-18T08:44:00.002-04:00

Get Me to a Trainer!

2011-07-07T06:55:00.002-04:00

Hey Family! Happy summer! This past 4^th of July weekend was a blast. Lots of sun, lots of fun and of course lots of eating. My favorite things lol! Also celebrated Daddy Fitch’s birthday…..go Daddy! Now as I ease my way back into the work week I hear that voice again. That after a long weekend voice that says “Donna did you exercise today??” Now family I don’t particularly like that voice but I can never seem to drown it out. Sometimes that voice sounds just like my husband’s but I digress. I should be inspired by my sister April running her way through Raleigh. Tricia and I have not run since our last debacle lol! But I still hear that voice. I used to be a contender people! I would work out with a trainer at 5:30 am three days a week. That seems like so very long ago. I just can’t seem to find the right thing to motivate me. My name is Donna and I hate working out! There I have said it. Now that I acknowledge it maybe I can overcome this obstacle. I tried yoga, which I actually do like. It is also much more challenging than people think. I just can’t seem to make it there on a regular basis and the studio is located next to a pizza parlor…really yoga people! I tried Zumba which was also fun. I didn’t realize I was going to pass out because I was distracted by the great music. Again…that Zumba instructor keeps dancing her way to a new location which I can never find. My husband and I have been doing a two mile walk around the neighborhood and that has been fun. While walking we passed the local tennis courts and I inquired about lessons. I was all set to become the next Serena Williams until I found out I had to pay! We need to watch our wallets in this day and time family. But I will not give up! Exercise is mandatory for good mental and physical health. It also helps to keep us tight as we get a little older…you know what I am saying Pooka sisters! I will continue my quest until I can write to share the fabulous work out regimen that is custom fit for me. Hmmmm…does tap dancing count as exercise!

Peace

M.I.A.

2011-06-29T19:47:00.002-04:00

Ladies I would just like to shed a little light on something, if you decide to work out and you work out hard, make sure you have enough money for surgery because after you lose the weight your gonna need it! I've been working out pretty steady for about the last two years, I didn't really notice any change in my body or my clothes. My 8's still fit and my legs didn't look any different then when I started but then about 3 months ago I started running and woosh! it was all gone! Yes I lost my boobies! They just ran off my body! I had also dropped two sizes (yep I'm a 6 now) and while that is all fine and well I want my boobies back! For me its almost like I lost an arm or a leg, I had to go out and buy new clothes and bras (No I'm not telling the size!) and while some people would say,"Oh thats still plenty big", its not to me. They were very much a part of me and now I feel lost without them. Yes I tried the push-ups,the push together,the pads, even tieing them together with a string but to no avail! So you will not find me running outside anymore or taking extra cardio classes, nope! I'll be at home on the couch eating icecream waiting for them to come back! LOL!

Join us this Saturday! Pineapple Summer Splash!

2011-06-20T09:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Fathers Day, Big Guy!!!

2011-06-15T22:29:00.003-04:00

Happy Fathers Day!!  In honor of my dad and all that he does (and let me tell you its not easy being Poppa Pooka), here is my blog tribute of my favorite dad blogs!

Thanks for always being my NUMBER ONE VALENTINE and buying me Sugar Free Gluten Free Chocolates for Valentines day!   

Thanks for WATCHING MY CAR when I’m on vacation and even though you didn’t remember where I parked it, I knew it was safe.

Thanks for making sure all of your kids know your STUMP speech and being understanding when I violated rule #1 and RAN OUT OF GAS!  

and Thanks for still letting me be THE KID and taking me on vacation even though I’m _____yrs old!!!

Love ya Dad!!!!

Pookalita Dawn on Essence.com

2011-06-12T10:11:00.001-04:00

Ready, Set....wait a Minute!

2011-06-08T20:36:00.002-04:00

Greetings Pooka family! My sisters and I are always looking to live a healthy lifestyle. You know eating right, being stress free and exercising. I mentioned to Tricia that I thought I might want to start running. A form of exercise I have not tried yet. Now I have never liked running except if someone was chasing me....but you never know! Tricia who actually listened when I made this latest announcement found a local two mile walk/run for us to enter and we signed up. We were really excited...ok not really but we decided to go anyway. I pulled up very early at Tricia's house the morning of the race. Someone jumped in the car wearing a white mask and I thought I was being robbed! I realized then it was Tricia. She had covered her face in sunscreen! No sun was getting on her Pooka family! We as serious runners were not down for sun burn. Tricia also had a nap sack containing energy bars, and fruit. I am sure there were baby wipes in the bottom of that bag but I didn't ask. All good racers need a Mommy...thanks Tricia! After she ran back in to get water we were on our way. When we got there we were actually excited! This was a real race Pooka family!! We gave our names and received our T-shirt, our official race number to pin on our shirt, and the reflective tag for our sneakers which I couldn't figure out how to put on. This is when that Mommy comes in handy....again thanks Tricia! We checked out the map of our route and headed outside to warm up with the other runners. Well we didn't actually warm up because we noticed the snack table. We did at least make healthy choices because runners do need energy people. It was now time to head to the start line. We were hyped!! The sun was shining, the music was playing and the organizers were pumping the crowd. Proceeds from the race went toward families in need so it was all good. It was time!! Ready, Set...wait a minute.....Tricia and I had decided that we were going to do the walk part of the walk/run since it was our first race. Ok did the walkers line up somewhere else? Were we supposed to wear a different T-shirt so the real runners wouldn't knock us down? I guess we could have found this out if we were not so busy getting snacks! Everything was going wrong. The morning dew was starting to settle in my hair and my Afro was getting bigger by the minute. Tricia's sunscreen started to run down her face. What was happening Pooka family! Well it was to late to figure it out. The runners started to take off and in a panic so did me and Tricia! We ran like frightened children or like someone was chasing us because they were!! This was not what we signed up for. Tricia was staring at me looking like her baby girl with a " help me Mommy" look on her face. I knew I had to do something and quick! I knew at this pace we would pass out before we got to the corner. I frantically searched the crowd looking for someone in charge! I spotted a man on the sidewalk wearing a number but eating a bagel. Good enough. You with the bagel I screamed....Is this the right race for the walkers! Are we in the right place!! Look at my Afro! HELP US!!!!! Relax said the man with the bagel. You're in the right race. Just stop running. Oh......just stop running. We didn't think that was in the rules. We then noticed plenty of other people......walking! After Tricia and I laughed until we couldn't breath we continued walking our race. We had a wonderful time and finished our two miles in thirty seven minutes! We made some new friends... Hi.......Go Bloomfield! We crossed the finish line to cheers and completed our first race! We are not ready for the New York City marathon but maybe next year. Just hope they don't have good snacks!!
Peace

Going Natural

2011-06-01T20:54:00.002-04:00

Greetings Pooka Family! I greet you on this BEAUTIFUL day as we enter into the month of June! Okay family, so here’s the thing….like many of us (woman), I’ve made the decision to go chemical free with my hair. I have not had a perm in close to 3 years. However, I’m finding it challenging trying to decide what will be my new style for the summer. I usually go to the doobie shop and get a wash and blow-out but this past weekend I walked into the doobie shop on the Friday before Memorial Day and I just stopped and looked around me. There were at least 25 women sitting and waiting. Some were sitting under the hot dryers others were sitting waiting to be rolled. Well family, I turned around, put my little $20 back in my pocket and walked right out that door. At that point, I made the decision; I can’t sit up in here another summer afternoon! So now I’m faced with the challenge of deciding how I’m going to wear my hair if I’m not going to continue to do the blow out. Now family, you know us (Pookalitas); Dawn and I rock the European hair styles (straight blow out with bangs); Donna and April rock the Afro-centric styles (braids and afro). But now, I’m leaving Dawn behind and I’m going over to team Afro-centric! Donna said that she would do my hair in a style that is both cute and I can manage without going to the doobie shop every week. Now I know this is a process and it will take some time to fully transition into a style that fits me and my hair type so the next time you see me family, please be kind if my hair has not made the full transition yet.

Enjoy your summer Pooka Family!

Getting to know the Pookalitas! Which country would you love to visit>

2011-05-25T12:40:00.003-04:00

Which country would you like to visit most?

France so I can use the 8 years of French I was forced to take as a child! (BTW I still can't speak a lick!)

I'd like to visit the European countries: London, Italy, France; but I'd love to vacation at the AsiaPacific India boarder countries: Maldives, Indonesia, Philippines

I would love to travel to England and France. I want to visit the muesums, the Eiffel Tower, sit at a cafe, drink wine and eat as much cheesey food as possible!

I would love to visit Italy to eat my way through it like Eat, Pray, Love!!

What place would you love to visit?

Taiye's New Hair Nectar Commercial!

2011-05-23T08:47:00.004-04:00

Evacuation

2011-05-18T20:12:00.002-04:00

Greetings Pooka Family!
Heading home early today because they just evacuated my job. This is my day job. Don't worry, Pooka is open for business! This evacuation though made me think about our daily lives and the world we live in. Bomb threats, evacuations, body searches, armed police. This is what working people get to experience on their daily commute everyday. Are we safe(I pray on that). Will I make it home and back (I pray on that too). We have to be diligent (see something, say something) but we have to continue to live our lives family. We must follow our purpose and our plan. Now more than ever. We must not adopt a spirit of fear but must realize how truly precious each day is. So to my fellow commuters keep your eyes open, your head up and your spirit bright....the weekend is just around the corner!

Peace Family!!

Auntie Dawn (kicks) Rocks!

2011-05-11T11:32:00.002-04:00

Well Pooka family I just wanted to share with you my Auntie Adventures! You know I pride myself on being a cool, fun Auntie Dawn! Aprils boys were easy, a little rough-housing, piggy back rides, wrestling and I was Super Auntie, then feed them and I was GOLD, you all remember my original post, AUNTIE ROCKS. So of course now that Tricias', Taiye is here, I figured all I needed to do was be me and once again, AUNTIE would ROCK!!! But, Taiye is a tougher cookie than the boys cause at 2yrs old shes a little woman just like us! I have to work harder with Taiye cause shes not gonna just fall for the old slippin on a banana peel joke that the boys did. So let me share how I may be deleted from her AUNTIE roster! I went with Tricia to pick up Taiye (pronounced tie-a) from daycare! She was happy to see me and I got my auntie hug! We went to the park and she was so excited! Tricia sat on a bench to change her shoes, while Taiye and I tried to decide what she wanted to try first, her eyes lit up at the slide! So I took her little hand and we climbed up the stairs to the slide, now this is where it all went horribly wrong people! Taiye sat down and I screamed to tricia and asked, "Can she go by herself? " I had no clue, being an auntie i wasn't sure when kids developed these little skills. Tricia shouted out, "Yeah she's fine". But i was nervous so I asked again and Tricia said, "She can do it!". Still needing just that one last bit of confirmation I said, "Are you sure?!" and Tricia said, "YEAH SHE DOES IT ALL THE TIME!" ( she forgot to mention that she never did it at this park on this slide). As I let my hand go from her little jacket, she took off like a rocket! Now Taiye was wearing a velour sweat suit and it was a metal slide, ENOUGH SAID. She flew down that thing like I shot her out of a cannonball. It was like slow motion, I watched as our little Taiye flew off the slide and landed in a pile of leaves, dirt and twigs!!!! She landed on her side and I was still way on the top of the slide, when I looked at her all I saw was her back, she was face down in the twigs, I froze. Then Taiye rolled over onto her back, her little body forming an x, and with twigs in her mouth she looked up and just stared at me for what seemed to be an eternity, I could see in here eyes she was mentally stringing together all the baby curses she could muster.."You son of a Elmo, what the Teletubbie was that?!!!" then......she CRIED like nobodies business! I hurried to get down the slide and Tricia came over and said, "I didn't realize the bottom of this slide was high". WHAT!! I HAVE DESTROYED ALL CREDIBILITY WITH THIS CHILD!!! I was devastated and I could feel the other "mommies" looking at me like and idiot, I even looked at one woman that was staring me down and said, "You heard me ask her, i asked her if she could do it!". The woman just shook her head and walked away. I know there were other "aunties" there in the park who were ashamed of me, so I hung my head low. I went to Taiye and asked her how she was feeling and she gave me the baby hand! She had no love for me at all. I kept trying and she just stared at me, I could see it in her eyes, she thought I was a straight BARNEY! Well the rest of our park visit was less than spectacular as she tried to act like she was alone with her mom, I've never been ignored like that (well...maybe, LOL). I texted Tricia later that night and asked her how Taiye was feeling and she said she asked Taiye if she had a good time with Auntie Dawn and Taiye said NO....AUNTIE DONNA!!! So now I throw down the guantlet, Auntie Donna I will reclaim victory!

Ps We all went out on Mothers Day and I spent 45 minutes pretending I didn't see Taiye sitting in her chair and then I would pretend to sit on her. She laughed the whole time and I thought I was good, called Tricia that night, to see if I got an honorable mention, but Tricia said that night in her prayers she mentioned AUNTIE DONNA!! I should have sat on her for real!!!!

Pooka in Juicy Magazine!

2011-05-10T16:04:00.002-04:00

The Little Things

2011-05-04T15:31:00.002-04:00

My birthday was this past monday and I have to say that my boys are really growing up! They came into my room in the morning with shouts of Happy Birthday as they threw themselves on me. They then handed me toys from their room that they had "bought" or fme. I, of course, thanked them and kissed them and told them how much I loved them and their gifts. It took me back to when I was younger and I didn't have anything to give my parents but my love and the wish to make their birthday as great as they made mine! Drawing a picture, singing a song, baking a cake for them, were all things I hoped they enjoyed. Parent's aren't looking for presents they are looking for your love. So the next birthday, holiday or any day that you can, show someone how much you care about them by making them something from the heart. Those presents and your presence in their lives are priceless! Happy Mothers Day (which is everyday) to all women who have ever helped a child in anyway! Be it a teacher, auntie, school bus driver, doctor, lunch aid, secretary,neighbor, you name it, Thank you!

Join us today online for the GRAND OPENING of our Facebook Boutique!

2011-05-01T11:17:00.003-04:00

We’re happy to Announce the Grand Opening of our Facebook Boutique!

This Sunday May 1, we’ll be launching our Facebook Pooka Boutique! Now you’ll be able to get your pooka products right on our fanpage! We’ll be offering specials, sales and discounts to our loyal FB Fans, sooooo......better join facebook people!! We’ll be celebrating all day Sunday with product sales, games and specials! Make sure to check out the schedule below and
Join us for our Facebook Boutique Ribbon Cutting at 3:30pm Sunday May 1 on our Fanpage!!

3:30-4:00pm
Ribbon Cutting Festivities!
Entire Store 20% off!

4:00-5:00pm
Guava Mango Butter
Interviews, Testimonials and of course it will be on sale for $7.00

5:00-5:15pm
Treasure Hunt!
One product in our store will be on sale for $5.00 for 15 minutes, you find it and stock up!

5:15-7:00pm
All Whipped Up!
All Whipped Creams will be 10% off!

A Foodies Guide to Dinner-Part 2!!

2011-04-27T15:35:00.001-04:00

Greetings Family!
Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather!! During my last blog I shared some foodie short cuts that I find helpful in my cooking life. I promised to share my favorite kitchen tools that I cant live without. These tools make me feel like all of the next top chefs rolled into one lol! They help me feel like I am doing a live demonstration right in my kitchen. You cant tell me Im not cooking!!

Tongs-Let me tell you. These are THE best cooking utensil to have in your kitchen. (Thanks to my brother Douglas who gave them to me one Christmas!!) It is actually time for a new pair. They are just fabulous!! You dont have to touch meat or fish with your hands and you dont have to worry about getting burned because the long handle can go into the pan so your fingers dont have to. You can easily pick up your food to transfer from pan to plate. You can use them when breading anything and no messy hands. Can you feel my love of the tong!! Most of all they make me feel like Chef Lynn lol!

Plastic sandwich and freezer bags-I honestly cant live without these. They are the best storage solution for everything! I put leftover cut veggies from my salad in the sandwich bags. More convenient (and cheaper) than foil and seal keeps them fresh. Next salad all my veggies are together in the same bag. Veggies, onions, garlic, cut fruit; everything goes in a bag until next time. When I wash my fresh herbs I wrap them loosely in paper towel and then store in larger freezer bags in the fridge. I put salad dressing in them when bringing salad to work or anything with a dressing. Seal holds tight and I dont have mushy food for lunch! Get the bags on sale family and I promise you will use them all the time. Oh yeah, I use them for sandwiches and snack foods too!

Glass and ceramic containers-Ok, are you noticing a storage theme here. I never met a leftover I didnt like!! We shouldnt really use the microwave people, (thats a whole other blog!) but if you do you should never microwave plastic. Very bad for you. Toxins from the plastic containers go into your food. Soif you must, always use a glass container. I have some great round glass bowls with lids (Crate and Barrel only on sale or Target or Walmart!!) My other favorite storage would be from QVC!!!! The line is called Temptations and they are fab! This discovery is thanks to my wonderful Mother who has her own phone number for QVC lol! (Hope my Dad doesnt read this!) Anyway, my Mom gave me a set when I got married and I have been adding to my collection ever since. They come in a variety of sizes and beautiful patterns and go from freezer, to oven, to table, to fridge. Cant beat that.

Mini chopper-I have had my chopper for so long and surprised it still chops!! I am not taking about a Cuisinart I am taking about a mini chopper with two speeds that you can get in Walgreens for $19.99! Perfect for garlic, onions and celery or herbs!!

Well family these are just some of my kitchen favs. Hope you find them helpful and happy cooking!!

Donna

Spring Season

2011-04-20T16:10:00.003-04:00

Happy Spring Pooka Family! Ahhhhh...Springtime for me means going to the Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook park, getting my first pedicure of the season, preparing for the Pooka Spa Foot Soak Workshop (save the date its going to be the first Saturday in May) and it also means going to the theater in New York. This season I dragged my husband over to the City to see a new play on Broadway starring Chris Rock, Bobby Cannavale (Will & Grace and Third Watch) and Annabella Sciorra (Jungle Fever). The name of the play is called, "The Motherf**ker with the Hat" Yea.crazy name, right? Well, let me tell you, the play was really good. At first I wasn't sure how good it would be. I mean of course you have Chris Rock and yes, he's hilarious, but the subject matter these characters take on is very serious. Well, I must say I really enjoyed the play! It was funny and serious when it needed to be. If you get a chance go and check it out.

Happy Spring Pooka Family!

Peppermint...The Movie!

2011-04-15T08:31:00.002-04:00

Wagon Trail

2011-04-13T10:22:00.003-04:00

Okay this was funny to me and I had to share it! Recently I started working part-time for a national retailer, the company seeing my natural enthusiasm placed me in a customer service position. So today I'm at work and a woman called saying that she couldn't walk and that she would need the "wagon". The "wagon" is a motorized cart that a person can ride in comfortably while shopping. Of course I was asked to go and retrieve the woman by riding in the cart to her car. Okay so I'm having fun zipping through the store (it only goes about 2mph) and out into the parking lot. I find the woman in her car and proceed to help her into the wagon and into the store. She shops and when shes ready to leave I have to go with her to get the wagon back. I go back with her to her car and it starts to rain, so of course in my head I'm like " Come on lady!" while she keeps moving slowly getting off of the wagon. I jump back into the wagon just as the skies open up and a tsunami hits. Wind, rain and I'm hunched over trying to make the wagon go faster which of course it can't! As I round the corner going straight for the door, I hear a horn beeping and its the woman I just left almost running me over! She may not of been able to walk, but she doggone it was able to put the pedal to the medal! I was able to maneuver out of the way (it was a crazy slow motion turn)and she rolls down the window to ask me if I'm okay. AM I OK? REALLY? Nah Lady!
This may not be the job for me.....

New Pooka Wholesale Locations

2011-04-11T15:03:00.007-04:00

We'd like to welcome our newest wholesalers to the Pooka Family!

Anytime Beauty Supply Store

1129 Oak Grove Road, Suite G

FOrt Worth, TX 76134

Mon - Thurs: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

Fri - Sat: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm

1-817-568-8463

Beauty For U Super Center

5145 Lake Ridge Pkwy,

Suite 115

Grand Prarie, Tx 75052

www.beautyforutx.com

Loveys

377 Marcus Garvey Blvd.

Brooklyn, NY 11221

Phone: (347) 770-8870

www.loveys.bigcartel.com

Getting to know the Pookalitas! What is your favorite midnight snack?

2011-04-06T22:35:00.003-04:00

What's your favourite midnight snack?

Peanuts and Raisins! When you eat them together its like a little peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

My favorite midnight snack is probably a cup of peppermint tea and a sweet treat!

My favorite has to be Goldfish, I can eat them all night and day long! Just don't tell the kids, because I tell them I buy the Goldfish for them!

Although I am a sweets person my favorite midnight snack is usually a bowl of cereal.

Whats your favorite midnight snack? (yes, we know you aren't
supposed to eat that late but sometimes ya need a little somethin)

How to get your rent to decrease in a recession!?!!

2011-03-30T21:32:00.003-04:00

Okay people, now you know I always have a story and Donna told me not to share this one because it makes me look um how shall we say, like a loser, LOL!!! But you know I always share with you Pooka family! I have to say I am happy today because I will be having my rent lowered this year! Yup lowered! I got a notice under my door that my rent was increasing by $10.00 a month this year,( my rent goes up every year). I was confused but when I looked at my old papers and found my last rent increase somehow I got the numbers transposed(that's a nice way to put it!) and for the entire year I have been paying $15.00 more a month than i was supposed to!!!! So now that my rent has gone up $10 a month this year I will actually be paying $5.00 less!!! Don’t JUDGE ME PEOPLE, I’VE BEEN REALLY BUSY,LOL!!! I decided to look on the bright side and realize that’s $5 extra dollars in my pocket and I’ll be contacting my landlord to get my extra dough back! So all in all my rent has decreased and when I demand my money back I’ll actually have saved a little something!!!! So in this case not paying attention paid off? Ahhh who am I kidding Donna was right, please stamp an L on my forehead,LOL!!!

ps maybe i could afford my prescriptions at walmart if i paid my correct rent,hahaha!

2 years ago today

2011-03-23T19:30:00.007-04:00

Hey Pooka Family! Well, time certainly flies! Two years ago today I threw up on Dawn's hand while Donna and Carlene held on to mine and I delivered the most beautiful baby girl in the world (unfortunately April couldn't get off of work otherwise she would have been there too)! I can't believe that she is 2 years old today! Motherhood has definitely changed my life for the better. Everyday I look at Taiye in amazement! I can't believe that wonderful baby came from me (with the help of Wale too). I know there will be trials and tribulations ahead of us when she hits puberty, adolescence and high school but until then; I'm enjoying this glorious time of her being a toddler.

Pooka at Womens Empowerment 2011

2011-03-23T08:58:00.002-04:00

Well to say we had an amazing time in NC would be an understatement! We had a blast! We were able to meet so many people that we interact with through our fanpage, twitter, blog and email. The love in NC was fabulous! This is our third year at this event and plan on making this an annual one! Check out Pookalita Aprils interview!

What a difference a day makes?

2011-03-16T20:52:00.003-04:00

I'm sure everyone has been watching the news and has witnessed the tragedy that took place in Japan less than a week ago. It is definitely one of the most mind boggling natural castasophies to have happened in recent years. The shear magnitude of being hit by an earthquake, a tsunami then radiation leak is just an unthinkable event.
My oldest son was watching the news with me and asked me what would we do if that happened to us? How do you answer your child? Of course the first thing that popped into my head was, "Don't worry that won't happen to us, but how many mothers throughout the centuries said the same thing to their children only to have a natural disaster or a person snatch their family away? I'm sure every mother, father, sister, brother, cousin, auntie and uncle in Japan were thinking about the people they love as they struggled to comprehend what was happening to them and their world. When you think about what has happened in Japan then look at your own life, what can you do without, who can you do without? What really matters to you? Don't let it take a tragedy for you to find out.

What we would do, I tell my son as I hug him is what we have always done, we pray and fight with every fiber in our being to stay alive. God bless everyone who was touched by this tragedy.

My Summer Pledge!!

2011-03-09T23:26:00.003-05:00

Well Pooka family I am soooo sick of this cold weather! When I was younger I was a winter baby, loved my boots and sweaters but as I get (slightly, LOL) older, the idea of going to Florida for the summer never leaves my mind! I am to the point if I see one more flake of snow or go outside to be greeted by 20 degree weather I might lose it! Now I have to admit I am usually just an all around weather complainer, even in the summer crying about how I’m melting and how “I can’t take this heat!”. But on this cold March night I pledge to not complain once this summer arrives, no matter how hot it gets! Below is my summer pledge:

I pledge to not complain about the heat even if my Pooka deodorant stops working and I become offensive to others.

I pledge to not complain about the heat even if a family of flies invades my apartment!

I pledge to not complain about the heat even if we are forced out of the pool because a child pees in it!

I pledge to not complain about the heat even if there is a heatwave and all of the Pooka butters melt!

I pledge to not complain about the heat even though my passenger side window is broken and gas will be too high to put the air on!

I pledge to not complain about the heat when its hot in the nail salon but I have to wait over an hour for a pedicure because my toes look like the Bernstein Bears!

I WON”T COMPLAIN! So bring it on summer, I promise I will BEHAVE!

We're looking for a few good stores.....

2011-03-05T22:09:00.005-05:00

At Pooka our mission is to provide products and services that inspire a sense of well being and relaxation.

Our “Mind” focus is to create an excitement about different methods of pampering by educating and creating an awareness of natural products and ingredients. Pooka will provide the vehicle to bring the spa to you everyday and inspire you to take the time to relax.

Our “Body” focus is to nourish the skin through our unique line of high quality products and provide natural alternatives to products on the market. By re-introducing tried and true natural ingredients used long ago we will help to naturally beautify the skin

Pooka fragrances will open the doors of the world and sweep you away to the most beautiful mountains, beaches, canyons and rainforests creating an experience of relaxation in far away places.

Our Goal is to become the leading provider for your bath and body needs. We hope to instill a deep sense of pride within our customers by providing high quality products and services and by embedding our sense of spirituality, warmth, love and family in the Pooka brand. Capitalizing on our current success will enable us to focus our energies and expertise on growing Pooka into a symbol of relaxation and pampering recognized throughout the world. We will continue our commitment to each other and the consumer as we stimulate the mind, body and soul through relaxation. Pooka was built on the foundations of peace and love and is guided by our faith.

When people see the Pooka symbol they will stop, breath and exhale, aaahhhhh.......

Pooka products line the shelves at one the most prestigious names in natural products, Whole Foods Markets and various boutiques across the country. Choose from an exciting array of products with delicious ingredients and essences. Call us to discuss wholesale opportunities with Pooka! 1-866-245-1403. We’ll put together a custom Pooka package that works uniquely for your location. Below are some examples!

The Butter Up!

Our decadent body butters make a wonderful addition to any boutique!

Moisturizing shea butter and avocado oil make these the moisturizers of choice.

Foot Fetish!

Perfect for your boutique, nail salon or foot spa!

Lavender Bath oil, Mint n‘ Roses soak and our signature Mint & Lavender Foot Butter.

Call us to discuss wholesale opportunities with Pooka! 1-866-245-1403.

A Foodie’s Guide to Dinner!

2011-03-02T09:12:00.006-05:00

Greetings Family! Hope all is well. If you know me then you realize I am both president and vice president of the Foodie fan club! I am a working foodie as most women today are. I have a long commute back and forth to my day job so when I get home I need to cook quick fast and in a hurry!! I wanted to share with you some of my Foodie tips that make my meal prep easy.

I always make sure to have the following in my pantry:

Chicken stock-Great base to make quick gravy or sauce for meat and fish! Add your own seasoning, fresh herbs, butter or wine for fab sauce. Cook my brown rice in chicken stock instead of water for added flavor.

Canned tomatoes-I use these often and you can get low salt ( same for the chicken stock!). I add a can of diced tomatoes when making my turkey meat loaf. It adds great flavor and makes the meat moist! Sometimes I use as a base (add brown sugar to make sweet or herbs and red pepper flakes to make spicy!!) and then when I make a quick fish fillet I serve on top of the tomatoes.

Beans, beans, beans!-Did I say beans. Black beans take five minutes. A lot of the time I buy black bean soup for flavor but then rinse off for less salt. Season with salt, pepper and cilantro and serve on top of brown rice and your seasoned canned tomatoes. Great dinner in 10 minutes!!

Smoked turkey-I don’t do pork so I use smoked turkey parts to season greens or even veggies for great flavor. I usually keep them in the freezer so they last longer. When I need just either boil in some water and add my greens or add right into a pot of veggies.

Fresh Herbs-This really makes such a difference. I always try to have fresh basil, parsley and rosemary in the house. I throw the herbs in if making a sauce and always add to my meatloaf. When I make my fish packets (fish of your choice) and add seasoning, fresh herbs, olive oil, fresh veggies and wrap individually in foil. Pop in oven and healthy dinner in five!!

Sweet Potatoes and Baby Carrots-We have sweet potatoes as a side maybe twice a week. Hubby and I love them! Sometimes I slice and add cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar for a quick stove top version or sliced and add raisins and cook in orange juice for great flavor or just pop whole potato in microwave and eat the healthier way. For the baby carrots just add to pot with some water and add the cinna, nutmeg and brown sugar combo and steam for 10- 15 minutes and you have instant sweet potato carrots lol!

Creamed/whole corn-Love corn bread and Jiffy is a gem! Sometimes I add the whole kernels for extra flavor or will add the creamed corn to the dry mix without any other wet ingredients. It makes like a corn soufflé in five minutes. I usually make in a muffin tin and then take any left overs for breakfast.

Well, all this food talk is making me hungry! I hope you found some of these helpful. Maybe next time I will share the kitchen tools I can’t live without…(this is big stuff for me lol!) Would love if you can share some of your tips. I will be waiting anxiously at the dinner table to receive them.

Donna

and the Oscar goes to....

2011-02-26T01:18:00.005-05:00

All the votes have been tabulated from Facebook, twitter and email (and you all voted a lot, LOL!) The Pooka Oscar goes to GUAVA MANGO Body Butter!! Congratulations!! In honor of this wonderful Oscar win Guava Mango Body Butter will be on sale today for $8.00!! Online or at the warehouse, don't miss out! Click on the picture to congratulate or order Guava Mango!

Getting to know the Pookalitas! What is the most embarrassing CD you have in your collection?

2011-02-23T18:26:00.003-05:00

What is the most embarrassing CD you have in your collection?

Rick Springfield, yup, I'm Jessies Girl (hey, its really old!)

I'm not embarrassed by any of my CDs; however, the girls make fun of me for my love for Journey and BonJovi!

Hmm...... their not embarrassing to me! I am the Disco queen, I love" best of CD's," Diana Ross, Donna Summers..

I still have a cassette of KJ & JoJo because I used to love them hard lol!

What is the most embarrassing CD you have in your collection?

Out of the mouths of babes....

2011-02-21T09:16:00.005-05:00

I was speaking last week at Glenfield Middle School for career day! I always enjoy talking to the kids and sharing my story and stories of other entrepreneurs. Usually during my presentation I ask the kids, if they know what an entrepreneur is? I always get various answers and sometimes some of them come close enough and I fill them in on the rest. While speaking at the school I told them the great parts of owning my own business, then I asked them what they thought would be the down side? One little boy raised his hand and said, “When you’re an entrepreneur you are poor and never know if you will get any money, so it’s sad.” Wow!!! I was shocked and all I could do is wonder how this child got access to my bank account, LOL!!!! All in all it was a great day and come next year I’ll do it again, Pooka loves the children!!!!

Slayin Dragons!!

2011-02-17T00:27:00.004-05:00

This week I am energized! I’ve just returned from a fabulous business cruise with other Handmade Beauty business owners. What a wealth of knowledge, sharing and yes fun! During the Indie Business cruise a friend/business owner said something to me that really stuck. I told her about being overwhelmed and just not feeling like I could get everything done and she said to me! “You gotta line up your dragons, get out your slingshot and start knocking those dragons down!” This has so stuck with me! There is something about visualizing myself in my armor and just taking down dragons one slingshot at a time. Instead of looking at the overall picture and everything I needed to do, I made a list of things I needed to do just for the day, not the week or month or even year, but the day! I started attacking my list one thing at a time, no procrastinating just slinging! By the end of the day I had crossed off everything on my list and I was amazed! I felt such a sense of accomplishment. So now everyday, I set up my daily dragon list and one by one I TAKE THEM DOWN! Sometimes all that we have to do in any area of our life can seem so overwhelming that it almost makes us do nothing. But make your lists people, just a few things and when you’ve done those things add a few more, then at the end of the week look at all the lists and see everything that you’ve accomplished! You will be so proud of yourself! So I am now officially Dawn Fitch...Dragon Slayer!

What are your dragons?

Wealthy vs Rich

2011-02-13T16:01:00.005-05:00

Hey Pooka Family!!
This saturday I had the opportunity to speak on a panel for the Omega Psi Phi Black Wealth Initiative! It was a great event! The keynote speaker was John Simons the senior personal finance editor at Black Enterprise magazine. He really made us stop and think about whether we’d like to be rich or wealthy? Rich, you have a lot of money but wealthy is money, power and equity! We as a people have to focus on becoming financially saavy and wealthy check out the Black Enterprise tools to do just that!

The Omega Black Wealth Initiative had 2 main parts, managing your finances and becoming entrepreneurs. This is where I came in, I really enjoyed speaking on the panel and answering any questions that I could. All in all it was a great day and I learned a lot! Pooka family this year lets focus on building wealth and not just getting rich or just getting by! Check out Black Enterprises 10 POWER MOVES TO HELP YOU BETTER MANAGE YOUR MONEY

I’m ready! are you?

Afro Power Continues!!!

2011-02-09T19:27:00.005-05:00

Greetings Family! Just reporting in that I am still perm free after 14 months and counting!! Very proud of myself!! Sometimes us natural sisters are standing tall and wearing our style proud. Some days well we are just…natural lol! I will say though, that I have met many people and received lots of compliments with my new fro and many seem to happen while commuting. Family you remember my Foxy Brown post!! Well that was a subway story but I must give equal time to the NJ railroad.

There is an older man who I see most mornings while I wait for the train. We have never introduced ourselves but always smile or nod to say good morning. Well my afro must have looked extra righteous this particular day because he walked over and said good morning and made it obvious he wanted to have a conversation. I noticed he had a very heavy accent...

“Gooda morning! I donta mean to bother you.” I returned the good morning as my parents taught me. “I lika your hair!” Oh, thank you. “My wifa, she hasa curly hair too! I wanta my wifa to hava her hair lika your hair! Well family I took the compliment but wasn’t sure how to proceed with this conversation because this was an older white man that I was speaking with. I said, “Well… is your wife African American?” “Oh..no. My wifa, shes Italian. I wanta her to go where you gotta your hair done so her curls cana looka like you curls.” Well… it is not for me to determine where people get their hair done. I proceeded to give him a card for my beauty salon (Thanks Kenya and Lisa!!) and gave him directions. “Oh thanka you! You see my wifa….shes a fat! Her curls goa out and I wanta her curls to goa down lika your curls. Thanka you so much” And away he went to get on the train. Well family while I stood there with my mouth open I wondered ….will I have to call my salon to tell them a new client is on the way, has he stopeed any other sisters to ask about their “curls”, does his wife know that he thinks that shes a fat! It was all too much to ponder so early in the morning so I patted my fro and decided to just go to work, my work there was done and I had used my Afro powers for Good!

Cocoa Baby! Whipped Cream!

2011-02-08T20:37:00.004-05:00

hmmmmm..... Cocoa butter or Shea butter? Two great butters with amazing benefits. I’m always torn between which one I love more soo whats the logical thing to do? Put 'em together! This week we’re introducing our brand new Pooka treat, COCOA BABY! Whipped Cream! This wonderful cream is for all of you who have ever asked if we had anything with cocoa butter, without added fragrance, that you can use on your face, that you can put on your kids, use on your entire body, that will help you with stretch marks and that will save the world(okay that was a stretch)! Here it is!!!!! COCOA BABY whipped cream is a natural body mositurizer with Shea & Cocoa Butters, Olive Oil, Coconut & Avocado oils whipped to perfection! Don’t miss this weeks introductory Special 12oz $14.00!! Get your Cocoa Baby! Whipped Cream at www.pookapureandsimple.com or visit our warehouse to try some!

Getting to know the Pookalitas! What reality show would you go on and why?

2011-01-30T18:18:00.004-05:00

What reality show would you go on and why?

Do you have to ask?? The Apprentice of course!!! So I can make Donald Trump wear Citrus Basil Elbow Grease!!

Shark Tank (although they canceled it). As an entrepreneur I'm always interested in other people's entrepreneurial endeavors.

I would love to go on the Amazing Race! How cool would that be to go racing all over the world? Dawn won't go with me though! LOL!

Because I am a foodie it would of course be a food related show. I would love to be on Cupcakes Wars. It is not too cut throat and you get to eat the prize!!

What reality show would you go on????

The most important oil of all.....

2011-01-26T16:39:00.003-05:00

Pooka family today I would like to discuss the most important oil of all! i’m always trying to tell you about oil benefits and which ones are best for you, well let me tell you the WINNER! MOTOR OIL!! Yes this is yet another blog about the life and times of my car, LOL! Let me rewind, I said this year no resolutions but after reading tricias’ blog 2011 A New Year I decided, this year my big goal will be to work on my procrastination, I mean really work on it! Now fast forward to my truck, which by the way is overdue for an oil change by 2000 miles! yup, 2000!(don’t tell my dad) So every morning i get into my car and I'm in a hurray as usual, i look at the sticker reminding me that i’m overdue and i say to myself “Dawn, this week oil change!” and then I drive off. Well yesterday morning I started the car and let her warm up, said my oil change speel and peeled off. As i’m driving I look in my rear view mirror and I realize I’ve got to get my car washed cause my window is foggy! But as I drove more I realized the fog was coming out of my exhaust. So what did I do? Drive faster of course, maybe I could burn it out with speed. At the next light while looking in the rearview mirror a driver on the opposite side beeped at me to let me know that smoke was now coming out of my hood! Now i’m in trouble, I didn’t want to stop because I was close to a gas station so again, I put the petal to the metal! Now as i’m rounding the corner I look over at my glove compartment and what do i see, SMOKE! coming out the the glove compartment and I hear sizzling like bacon in a hot frying pan(turkey bacon of course)! Now I’m really panicking, is the car on fire? is it gonna blow up? I finally made it to the gas station and lifted the hood, it looked like an oil explosion under there. The mechanic pulled it into the garage and they let me know that I had a massive oil leak and I wound up paying $450 to fix the leak and clean the engine! Now, If i had gotten my oil change when I was supposed to they may have found the leak and it probably would have cost me about $40 and I wouldn’t have been traumatized driving a burning truck through my city! I also could have pulled over if i had remembered to renew my AAA. Lesson Learned!!! So now when I get into my truck I don’t have to say “Dawn this week oil change” instead I look at the Jan 2011 registration sticker in my window and say “Dawn gotta get an inspection!” I’m a WORK IN PROGRESS PEOPLE!!!!

The Daniel Fast

2011-01-19T18:23:00.002-05:00

Greetings Pooka Family!

I want to share what has been a truly wonderful life changing experience. It is awesome so I wanted you, my family to have the same experience. A few weeks ago I started the Daniel fast with my Pooka sisters. Tricias church began this fast quite appropriately at the beginning of the year. Aprils church was also doing the same so Dawn and I decided to join in and fast together. This is not a fast for diet but for spirit! The fast lasts for three weeks. Tricias church also incorporated what they call the hour of power. While fasting you spend 15 minutes on the following: spirit (reading the bible, listening to inspirational music), mind (doing a crossword puzzle, learning something new), health (exercising the body) and finance (balancing your check book, make a daily budget). All of the areas we need to focus on to make this our best life (thanks for the phrase Oprah!!) During the fast which is patterned from the book of Daniel you are not to eat sugar, meat, dairy, bread, nothing white (rice or pasta), nothing fried and you only drink water. Basically you are eating all the fruit and veggies you like! We went to the supermarket so we would be prepared to begin our fast. Now family this takes a lot of discipline especially from a foodie like me who enjoys all things food! I will admit that week one was very challenging but then something happened. We started not to think so much about the food. We checked in to encourage each other every day. We shared recipes and daily inspiration and slowly our focus began to change which was exactly the point. Our study of the spirit became deeper and we focused on that word and the areas in the hour of power to help us grow. We are heading into our last weekactually Aprils church ends their fast in February. Go April! We each have our moments sometimes. You dont realize how much we eat, think, and talk about food. How so much of our socialization is centered on food! This fast has changed me for good. I have discovered some wonderful healthy recipes to incorporate into my everyday life. I am not going to become a vegan right now but I am going to be eating like a healthy foodie should because I know I can do it!! More important than the food, this fast has shown me that if I trust and focus on Him then I can do anything I put my mind to family!! This is something I of course already knew but this fasting experience truly helped me to focus living that truth. That is awesome news!! I encourage everyone to give this fast a try to give you clarity for all that you want to accomplish. I also ask my Pooka sisters to share their fast experience with all of you. What a wonderful way to begin this New Year. Wont you join us Pooka family!

Peace Donna

2011 A New Year!

2011-01-12T17:46:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year Pooka Family! Welcome to 2011 - A New Year to get it right! As you reflect on 2010 and all the things you've accomplished; what is the one thing you would like to focus on this year? I'm not talking about your standard resolutions i.e. exercise more, eat better, be more organized, I'm talking about that 1 goal you'd like to set for yourself to achieve with 100% success! This one goal is not something which is expected to be reached in 1 day, 1 week or 1 month. Those goals are a lot easier to achieve. This is your Challenge Goal. A goal which you will work on frequently throughout the year then set monthly or quarterly checkpoints for yourself to see how you're progressing. Think about this family. I know a lot of you are waiting for me to give an example or maybe share my Challenge Goal, but I don't want to do that. I think a Challenge Goal is something that you alone should come up with. It may take some soul searching, meditation and praying, but I truly believe that each of us can come up with 1 thing which we can focus on for this year so that on January 1, 2012 you can confidently say that I successfully accomplished ______________ this year! Fill in that blank family and let's focus on achieving our 2011 Challenge Goal!

My Shero!

2011-01-05T21:32:00.003-05:00

I've always liked Vivica Fox. She always played the roles I would have if I had taken my acting career seriously,(LOL) ya know being Will Smith's girlfriend in Independence Day, a femme fatale in Kill Bill volume 1 or the sassy younger sister in Soul Food. She's been in numerous movies, television shows and specials. She always seems to play the sister who is tough, don't take no stuff and smart as a whip. A person who knows how to play the game and get others to play with her. ( Which is how I imagine her to be in real life!) Now she is about to become a married woman again! That's right! Ms. V who is 46 is marrying a 27 year old club promoter. He gave her an eight-carat ring. (Didn't know promoters were balling like that!) Vivica has brought in her new year the way a lot of women want too; lots of money and a permanent honey! Go Vivica ! I see your work, I gotta make me a couple of Mil first though....Yo everybody buy some Pooka!

The More things change....Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T15:50:00.005-05:00

Hello Pooka Family!! As I sat down to write my new years words of wisdom I realized that they are pretty much the same as last year! Not in a bad way, but I read the blog I wrote last year and it really still applies so here it is for your viewing pleasure again, LOL!!! (ps I changed the dates to make it current for you!)

"Well this New Year's Eve I did a lot of thinking. I listened to a lot of people who were overjoyed to get rid of 2010 and I started thinking why is it that at the end of every year we can't wait to get rid of that year because it was horrible, but this was the same year we welcomed with excitement last January! Lets be thankful for every year we are allowed to see. Thanks 2010 for the good the bad and for just being here to experience it all. Now that being said or thought I wondered if I should even make resolutions? hmmmm....Let me think about resolutions past and see how some those turned out.....
1. I still don't look like Halle Barry
2. I didn't do the stairmaster every day, so.....my butt still doesn't look like Jennifer Lopez'(remember that blog?!)
3. Will Smith still hasn't called me if you remember my past blog, neither has Danny Glover or Morgan Freeman!
4. I still can't make collard greens and continue to eat free stuff at Whole Foods, just not with the kids, remember how that went....
5. I tried to live by my budget but you all read my ipod blog!
6. I haven't found Barack Obamas brother and married him to make myself Michelle Obama(oh you missed that one!?here it is!)
7. I haven't cleaned up yet.....(yeah there was one for that too!)
8. Hmmm...my hair, well I'm leaving that one alone and you should too, LOL!

The list goes on and on, LOL! So this year no resolutions for me, I'm just going to be the best I can be and when 2011 ends I'll be happy for a great year!

Sister Can You Spare a Car?

2010-12-16T00:01:00.002-05:00

Greetings Pooka Family!! I hope that everyone is in the holiday spirit during this time of year. That spirit of being with family and friends. That spirit of giving. Finding that special gift for that special someone. Now I always try to embrace this spirit because the holidays are a wonderful time for me. Well my spirit was momentarily shifted when I viewed a recent Lexus commercial. Family has anyone else seen this?? It shows a white woman and her clearly ethnic husband. She is so excited to present him with a brand new Lexus all tied up in a beautiful red bow. On first view of this commercial I was completely taken aback. Now I believe that you cant choose who you love. Real love happens that way. But.... yes, there is a but, I have a problem with this commercial. I feel that it feeds into the stereotype of our black man choosing woman that do not look like their mama! And because he chooses this woman he gets a new Lexus as his prize. Family is it me? Am I being the Grinch on Christmas? What message does this send to our young women of color? When black men see this commercial do they wish that was them? I need to hear from my Pooka sisters to see what you think about this. In the meantime maybe we need to get back to the Reason for the Season and we wouldnt need to worry about what kind of car we are driving on our way to church!

Peace Pooka Family

Dragon Universe!!!!

2010-12-08T20:48:00.004-05:00

Ok so everyone knows that I have two boys and I'm always on the look out for something for them to do. A friend of mine suggested joining MommyParties which I did and I was selected to host a Dragon Universe Party!!!! Soon after a large box arrived at my house and I was amazed with the products! I had to hide them from my sons because I knew if they saw them before the party, they would want to play with them right then and there! We live in North Carolina now but we actually traveled with them to New Jersey, where they and us were warmly received. We made fire-breathing bagel melts and enjoyed dragon Scales with Dragon Punch, while watching the Dragon Universe Video. Then it was time to create! Most of the boys picked the Dragons, while a few made the Alliance military pods. They were fairly easy to put together, nobody asked an adult for help! (which is really big!) Then they battled and ran around for the rest of the night! A good time was had by all!

Another Business Trip for Mommy

2010-12-01T20:28:00.002-05:00

Hey Pooka Family! Well I'm on another business trip without Taiye. Although I know I will miss her like crazy (oh yea, and my husband too) J I am soooo looking forward to this short trip so I can take some time for myself. The first thing I'm going to do is get a manicure and a pedicure. I haven't had one since the summer so I am looking forward to relaxing and having my hands and feet pampered without the worry of having to rush home to cook or go pick up Taiye. Next I think I'll go and do a little shopping. I love hitting Marshall's and TJ Maxx to see what "good finds" I can get. Afterwards, it will be the "piece de resistance" SUSHI! Luckily my business trip is to the city which has my absolute favorite sushi restaurant, Waraji. This place is like Cheers! It seems as though the sushi chefs and the regulars (customers) all know each other. When you walk in you're sure to hear, "Norm!" "The regular, Norm?" "Yelp, give me a Scary Jerry!" I can not wait to indulge in my favorite dining pleasure! I know I will miss Taiye and my husband, but Mommy needs this time for herself! I'll be back at home before you know it so I'm going to enjoy it! Have a great week Pooka family!

Black Friday at Pooka!

2010-11-26T01:48:00.002-05:00

For Colored Girls

2010-11-17T22:11:00.002-05:00

Greetings Family! Well Dawn told you that we had a girls night to go see For Colored Girls when it opened a few weeks ago. I am still completely absorbed by the emotion of this beautiful, raw, honest, funny, intense, emotional, heart stopping and triumphant movie. My sistersif you still have not seen it run dont walk and take your girls with you. I must admit that I was a little nervous about seeing this movie. The book is always better than the movie in my opinion. Especially a book containing poems that jumped off the page and into your spirit. I tried not to read any reviews because I wanted to formulate my own opinion of how this work would play out on the big screen. I did read one review however that thought Tyler Perry would not give this most reverent book and play its due justice. I am here to tell you it is his best work yet family! It was truly awesome. I believe that he was able to bring these powerful words to a main stream audience, especially our younger sisters, who might not have otherwise been exposed to these stories of us. The words of Ntozake Shange flowed like liquid on the screen and they moved us from story to story, sometimes drowning us and sometimes washing us clean. Our stories are not always pretty. Sometimes our stories have pain that crosses from generation to generation. We may live in the pent house but we are not so high up that we cant get hurt. But in the end we survive. We fight and laugh our way to the other side sisters! I am proud to be a Colored Girl because we are fierce and refuse to let anyone walk off with all our stuff!!
I love you Colored Girls!!

Black GIrls Rock!!!

2010-11-11T00:37:00.002-05:00

YEAH!!! I am sooo empowered this week! The last couple of days have been filled with inspiration and motivation! Let me tell you, I started out by attending the Essence Women’s Conference, you want to talk about AMAZING, it was an awesome day! If you don’t listen to anything else I say, listen to this, if at all possible attend this conference next year! I”ll give you a quick replay of my day... I arrived and was warmly greeted and given my very cool patent leather tote filled with goodies, I had a beautiful breakfast, and then listened to our welcome from Mikki Taylor from Essence who was followed by Lisa Nichols, best selling co-author of The Secret, Chicken Soup for the African American soul and many more, well all i could say was, YES!!! She was inspiring, she had everyone on their feet screaming yes, Yes! She told us we don’t just say yes, we gotta say it twice! So all day as women passed each other you would hear a yes, Yes! You feelin good?, yes, Yes! Enjoying your day? yes, Yes!! Are you motivated? yes, Yes! After getting us charged up you had your choice of individual sessions, I chose “How to make a million” and it was an awesome panel of dynamic women with real business advice. Then back to the main ballroom where Tamron Hall led a discussion on how to find your power! Then a fabulous lunch where the amazing Judge Hatchett was the key note speaker. I’m running out of adjectives but she was DYNAMIC!! After enjoying our lunch and rousing applause for Judge Hatchett, we were a part of panel discussion with Lauryn Lake, Finesse and others on men, women and relationships, where to find one, how to keep one and what to do when you have a bad one! It was so much fun and the men on the panel told all of the women in the audience that even though we don’t want to hear it most men like a women who can cook!!!(I’m going to live a lonely life, LOL) Once that was done we had more personal sessions and I chose a session on recharging with Lela Ali and Dr. Ian. Both were funny and gave great tips on how to relax and unwind. As our day started winding down we found ourselves back in the main ballroom for a closing message from Iyanla Vanzant! Okay now the ticket was $200 and thank goodness my fabulous family got me one as a gift but this seminar could have easily been $500!!!!  Keeping up with my wonderful weekend, on sunday the pookalitas and friends went to see For Colored Girls and our review is coming soon but I have to cheat and say I thought it was sooooo good! Later that night I was inspired again watching Black Girls Rock on BET! Well my wonderful weekend made me realize that as BLACK Women we are resilient, fabulous, fierce, beautiful, unique and WE ROCK!!!!   ps. When I got home and looked in my goodie bag, I found a TSHIRT that I’m gonna wear every day until next years summit, LOL!! 

For Colored Girls

2010-11-03T18:27:00.002-04:00

Hey Pooka Family! I hope everyone enjoyed their summer and you are comfortably transitioning into the Fall season. We had a great summer and I still can't believe we are into the last quarter of the year already!

Well, the girls and I are excited and looking forward to seeing "For Colored Girls" this weekend! I remember when we went to see the play years ago at the Schomburg Center in the City. What a moving play! I can't wait to see how Tyler Perry has transformed the play into a movie. The cast is phenomenal (also loving Janet's new haircut; thinking about cutting mine like that)! This is one of those movies where you get your sisters and sisterfriends and go see it together (much like we did for Precious and Why did I get Married). We're planning on catching the matinee on Sunday and doing brunch afterwards to fellowship and talk about the movie. Hope you get a chance to get out and see the movie this weekend too and if you do hit us up on our Facebook page and join our roundtable discussion on your thoughts of the movie.

For those of you in north Jersey..maybe we'll see you at the show!

Pooka Lifestyle Lounge

2010-11-03T18:20:00.000-04:00

Getting to Know the Pookalitas! What's your pet peeve?

2010-10-27T23:49:00.002-04:00

What is your pet peeve?!

People who call me when they know my favorite show is on!

Someone expecting that their lack of planning should dictate my sense of urgency.

People who think they are funny, but they are really just being nasty.

Well, I've got a few.....people chewing with their mouth open, people trying to take out a mortgage at the atm and people burping or otherwise letting out things that should be held in!!

What's your Pet Peeve?

The Magic Bracelet!

2010-10-20T20:19:00.005-04:00

Hola mi familia! Ok, that is Spanish for what’s up family! I have recently returned from a glorious week in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The main objective for me and hubby, of this trip for our anniversary/we need a break, was to relax big time! And relax we did so much that I was actually exhausted from the relaxation lol! Can I always have this problem? We stayed at a fabulous all inclusive resort. Now usually when you check into these all inclusives you are provided with a wrist band to identify yourself and to let the resort know you paid your money to be there! Well when we got there we were given these lovely wooden bracelets instead of the snap on plastic kind they usually give you. That is when I knew we were in for a treat. I truly believe that bracelet has magical powers! Well…we know that you booked this room but is it ok if we upgrade you to a suite said the concierge, magic! Come right this way…we have special chairs for you on the beach said the hostess as she eyed my bracelet, magic! I believe you need another beverage with an umbrella in it while you relax by the pool said the waiter, magic! And on and on it went for our entire trip. It was painful to leave but I decided to take the magic home with me by keeping on my bracelet. On my first day back to work the train conductor asked for my ticket and I showed him my bracelet. He said it was nice but still needed to see my ticket. I tried to pay for my lunch with my bracelet but the deli wasn’t interested. I kept waiting at my desk for someone to bring me a refreshing beverage but it never happened. When I finally made it home I waved that bracelet as hard as I could so someone would bring dinner for me and my husband. Well family this never happened either. The only person who noticed me waving around like a crazy person was my husband who asked when I was going to the grocery store! That is when I knew vacation was really over. Now I am still wearing my bracelet and have decided that it will stay on until it falls off by itself. My husband is also still wearing his but that’s because he doesn’t know where we keep the scissors in our house… but anyway! I realize that the bracelet still does have magical powers because every time I look at it I am immediately taken right back to that tropical paradise. Gracias Punta Cana!!

Happy Days are here Again!!!

2010-10-14T07:01:00.002-04:00

Well the summer is over,the air has turned crisp, the kids are back in school and now its time to get back on my second job again. Class mother! Yes its time to sell, sell, sell, cookies, candy, wrapping paper and everything else that the P.T.A. is pushing. Its time for class pictures, making lunch (I don't like lunch meat!) and lots of HOMEWORK!!!!! Are you smarter than a third grader? Yeah you think you are? Well try doing math (the new crazy math), spelling, writing, and reading every night! I am doing homework every night for at least three hours! Screaming every morning for everyone to get up, rushing around getting kids dressed, fed, packed up and on the bus with me running behind it because Will forgot his glasses. Fighting with Wes because he doesn't want to go to school today (this of course is everyday). Racing to drop Wes and the neighbor's kid off to school and this is all before 9am! Then I get to rest, (go to work)only to start the process all over again, picking kids up, running to the bus stop, making dinner, doing homework, giving people baths, reading stories, putting them to bed, putting them back to bed when they get out again. Where did the summer go, when all I had to do was wake them up and put shorts and a t-shirt on them?

Bullying!

2010-10-07T08:54:00.002-04:00

Hello Pooka Family. My heart is heavy and I am not in great spirits today, mainly because of two separate incidents on bullying that have been in the news recently. The first one is about the little girl in Florida whose father went on the school bus to berate and threaten the kids who had been picking with his daughter (who by the way has cerebral palsy). Some may not agree with his methods, but as a parent you can identify with his intentions. I'd always feel compassion when I'd hear about these incidents in the news but now that we have Taiye, I find myself more compassionate to the victim and angry at the perpetrators. Since day one when we found out that we were having a child, my prayers at night changed from, "God bless, my husband, my sisters and my family" to "God, I pray that we raise Taiye to be a strong, confident, Christian person loving God first, us second, her family & friends and her community." I think it is so important that we raise Taiye to be a confident child so she is not easily manipulated by what others think of her or influenced by some little boy who says she needs to prove her love to him by doing God knows what! As a teenager, I was insecure and not completely confident in myself so I definitely don't want to pass on those feelings to Taiye. I want her to be a leader and not a follower and achieve all the goals she sets for herself.

The other incident of bullying that has affected me was, in my opinion, a form of cyber-bullying. This was the incident where two students taped and then streamed on the internet an intimate encounter between his roommate and another person. As you may have heard the result of that incident lead to suicide. I'm sure these two student probably did not mean for this to happen and I'm sure they thought what they were doing was a joke, but what does it say about us/our children, that we find someone else's personal preferences a joke? Why are we so judgmental? Why do we feel we can make other people the butt of our jokes? Like I said, I am sure they did not mean for that young man to commit suicide, and yes, that young man could have possibly been suffering from some other issues that contributed to his decision to take his life. Nevertheless, it does not absolve those students's culpability of what they did. I feel sorry for the parents of all of the students involved in this tragedy. I'm sure they did not expect that when they sent their sons/daughters off to college that their children would end up being responsible for someone's death and for the parents who loss their child, this was probably the furthest from their minds.

Let's teach our children tolerance and confidence!

Gettin Personal with the Pookalitas!! What word do you have trouble pronouncing?

2010-09-30T00:27:00.004-04:00

What word do you have trouble pronouncing?!

Massacheutist, see I can't even spell it, LOL! i just say BOSTON!

None!

Lol okay when my husband and I were trying to decided what to call Wesley we couldn't agree on a name. We knew we wanted it to start with a W like William but we couldn't find a name we liked. My mom really liked Warren, for some reason I just couldn't say it! It kept coming out like Warhim, yeah that wasn't gonna work! LOL

Spell lots of words wrong can't think of one I always say wrong??

So what word gets you tongue tied?!

For the Love of Food!

2010-09-23T00:24:00.001-04:00

Greetings Pooka family! Now you know that I am both president and vice president of the National Food Association lol! All things food are right up my alleyreading cookbooks, watching the food network, cooking, EATING!! As a Foodie I have recently encountered an experience that I dont know how to perceive. It is both perplexing and disturbing to me. If I had not personally experienced what I am about to share I may not have believed it! I was waiting in line outside of the subway station for the shuttle that takes me over the bridge to my day job. A woman, who I had never seen before, came up on line behind me and we nodded good morning to each other. Now I noticed that she had in her hand a very large iced something and a bag which I assumed contained the rest of her breakfast. Now she was juggling this cup and bag in her two hands and as a result she dropped the breakfast bag on the ground. Now family when she dropped the bag the remainder of her breakfast fell to the ground. It was the most delicious looking croissant I had ever seen, it was light and crispy and my fellow Foodiesit was filled with chocolate! We both looked down on the ground at her half eaten croissant and stared at in for a minute or two as we both mourned the loss together of her culinary treat. I looked up at her with empathy and told her that surely that was the best part that was now lying on the ground. She couldnt even speak but nodded in agreement as she leaned down to pick up her remains. She looked around for a garbage can but none was present where we were standing. She then put the remainder of the croissant back in the bag where it had fallen from. She then shrugged her shoulders and put up her hands as if to say oh well, sometimes things happen or tomorrow I will have to get another croissant. But family I realized that is not what that shrug of her shoulders meant. For at that moment she reached down into the bag and pulled off a piece of that heavenly croissant.AND SHE ATE IT!!! No kidding family!! I stared at her with my mouth wide open. I wanted to say REALLY???? I understood about not wasting food or the 10 second rule (but remember we mourned the loss of her croissant for at least 1 minute!) Was this the fiercest Foodie I have ever meant or was she just merely disgusting lol! Is there any food that I have such passion for that I would eat it from the ground of the platform outside of the NY city subway. Sorry family..cant think of anything. I have pondered this middle aged woman, who seemed polite and was nicely dressed. What would make her eat that and not care that I saw her do it!! Oh well family. I guess you never know what some people will do for the love of food!

Business Trip!

2010-09-16T08:50:00.001-04:00

Hey Pooka Family! I am writing this blog while sitting on a plane staring at the back of a man's head (why do men usually go bald at the top of their heads) on my first business trip without Taiye! This is actually my third business trip since I started back to work in March. The first trip, Taiye and Wale went with me to Oregon. Wale wanted to check out Portland because he's mentioned on more than one occasion that he likes the northwest climate and we may be moving there in the next 5 years (yea, right! I can't see Taiye and me going that far away from her Aunties). The second trip was to Atlanta and just Taiye went with me but we have a lot of family there so she stayed with them while I went to my business meetings. Now it's just me...without my baby...away for 3 days and 2 nights. Surprisingly, I'm not too nervous. She'll be at day care during the day and they take great care of her. In the evenings my husband will pick her up and warm up the dinner that I cooked dinner for both of them. Can you guess what I made?..yep, chicken and rice! I told you that's my standby meal and it can last up to 3 days! I laid out her clothes; Miss Erica at Day Care loves to do her hair, so with all that, I'm not too nervous about leaving her. My main concern is for my husband and how he will manage with her throughout the night. You see, Taiye still nurses at night. She is used to turning over and having her milk on demand. So the nighttime will be the challenge for her (not having the boob), for my husband (because she is going to scream bloody murder not getting the boob) and for me (because my boobs are going to swell up with so many milk ducts that it will feel like they will burst). I am prayerful that we all will be able to manage this short trip away for Mommy. Keep us in your prayers Pooka family!

Gettin Personal with the Pookalitas!! Do you think the economy is getting better?

2010-09-08T15:00:00.007-04:00

Do you think the economy is getting better?

I do believe the economy is getting better despite the media rhetoric of a possible new recession with in the next 3 years.

Actually, I do. Usually at Pooka the summer is a very slow period, but this year was actually pretty good. I think we're in the thick of the recession and people realize they're surviving so they're not as nervous.

The economy will get better when I get a job!

I think it is heading in that direction but we have a way to go. My cost to commute has increased 25%! As most states are feeling the burden it gets passed down to the consumer. I am just more aware of what I am spending.

How do you feel about the economy? Are you still worried?

Blogger Buzz Contest! WINNERS!

2010-09-05T19:01:00.003-04:00

WELL LADIES! I GUESS EVERYONE WAS OUT ENJOYING THE SUN, LOL!! THANKS FOR PLAYING AND THE WINNERS ARE, GINNETTE AND MYISHA!! (MYISHA THAT COULD BE A BET MOVIE, LOL) PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL WITH YOUR FULL NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS TO INFO@POOKAPUREANDSIMPLE.COM TO GET YOUR $25.00 POOKA GIFT CERTIFICATE!

THANKS!!!!

Blogger Buzz Contest!

2010-09-05T14:13:00.003-04:00

It's time for Blogger Buzz!! Win some free Pooka! We're going to start a story below and you finish it in the comment section! The best story wins some free Pooka!!! Get creative people!

Check back at 5:00 and we'll announce the winner!

A Wedding You wouldn't believe!

Okay last week, I went to a wedding for a friend of mine. It was supposed to be a very upscale wedding and I was excited. Not wanting to bring sand to the beach, I decided not to bring a date. The ceremony was amazing so many different things, I couldn't wait until I got to the reception. When I got there a friend of mine stopped me and said, I don't know if you want to go in there because................

$3.00 Shipping at Pooka Today and Tomorrow!

2010-09-04T11:07:00.002-04:00

Technology Rocks!

2010-09-02T08:52:00.003-04:00

Greetings Pooka Family! Hope everyone is enjoying summer as it seems to be coming to a close. Well we cant say it wasnt hot! I am almost looking forward to fall (a little bit!) which is so not like me. Looking forward to sweaters and boots, cooking Sunday dinner in my oven, starting my intense winter work out (ok so maybe if I write it, it will be!!) and snuggling on the couch to watch tv. Now it is possible that I am feeling this way because of something new we just installed in our house. We just connected a DVR!!! Welcome to the 90s people!! I know that this is no big deal for most of you who have had a DVR forever. This is a big deal for me. My Pooka sisters make fun of me all the time for my lack of interest in technology. This is an even bigger joke because I work in IT!! I am a foodie not a techie. Now the DVR is completely simple and does not require that I get a certification to use it. The concept of it though is so fabulous. I will never miss another TV show. Did I mention how fabulous that is? There are never enough hours in my day just like anyone elses. Sometimes in those hours all I want to do is take a nap. Now I can take a nap and watch that show whenever I feel like it. I can tape my cooking shows! I can tape those shows that I pretend not to watch like the Kardashians. I can record while in the middle of watching a show. The DVR will also let me pause while watching live tv. (Thanks for that tip Nyika!!) Fabulous. I can fit this into my schedule and not the other way around. Just another tool to help make life simple and that Pooka family is truly fabulous!

Gettin Personal with the Pookalitas!! What household chore do you hate doing?

2010-08-31T16:25:00.007-04:00

What household chore do you hate doing?

All of them!! (don't tell my mom, LOL) being single can make you lazy, but i'm workin on it!

I hate ironing clothes! That was my job growing up, I had to iron everyone's clothes in the house! (Mom, Dad, Grandma, Brothers,Where was DYFS when I needed them?) Everyones clothes looked like accordions! I am better now though, my kids clothes don't look bad.........Do they?

IRONING! It's the worst. I have almost never met a wrinkle that I couldn't live with much to my husband's annoyance.

Folding clothes!!!!

Obviously the Pookalitas are a wrinkly bunch, LOL! What household chore do you hate doing!? 

Road Trip! Part 2!!

2010-08-25T23:40:00.002-04:00

When we were in college Dawn and I became Omega Essences/Sweethearts/Pearls for the mighty mighty Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. This happened our freshman year (Party all the Time, Eddie Murphy) and needless to say there are a lot of stories from college that can't be printed here or anywhere else! Being the beautiful, sophisticated (single) women we are now,(I'm on my own, Pattie LaBelle) we decided to make the trip to the conclave. We are still friends with the brothers we helped cross the burning sands and our fellow Que-E sisters,(That's what friends are for, Dionne Warwick and friends) so we were excited to see everyone. I needed to make the most of my vacation away from my children, so we decided to stop off and see another friend in D.C. (Shout out to Terri!) We went out to dinner on U street the new happening spot in chocolate city. After staying up most of the night (talking and laughing) we hit the road again headed for North-Kack-a-Lack! Our girlfriend Vera came down with her husband who is a Que (Hey Juan, Love ya!) and we were ready to move! We went to a concert friday night (8th row center stage!) and saw EnVogue, ( Never gonna get it!) they were AWESOME!!!! Up next was Brian McKnight(start back with one) who was really good and he brought out his sons who sang and played the guitar with him! Love it! Rounding out the show was Frankie Beverly and Maze! (Before I let go!) We stood the whole time they played, Amazing!!!! The next day was like a family reunion, seeing brothers and sisters some of whom we haven't seen in years! We talked and laughed and hung out until the morning light. I have to say all of the brothers the ones we knew and the ones we had just met all were true gentlemen! We love you Omega Psi Phi!!! We will see you next year at the 100th Centennial!

Gettin Personal with the Pookalitas!! What is your go-to dish?

2010-08-25T07:54:00.004-04:00

Honey Lime Salmon, I found this in a Rachael Ray cookbook, it's easy and good! It's a colorful dish that looks like it came straight from a restaurant! So if i'm trying to impress someone, Honey Lime Salmon it is! Email me if you want the recipe, but remember i get the credit not rachael ray, LOL!!!!

My goto dish is Turkey Chili! Everyone loves Chili, its an easy one pot dish.

Topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream! (I'm getting hungry!)

Oh and don't forget the brown rice.

My turkey meatloaf, spaghetti and meatballs, baked fish and veggies (fish packets as Dawn calls them!), chicken potpie and turkey wings are all in my food rotation.

Arroz con pollo and plaintains...my husband and daughter look at me and say, "chicken and rice again Mommy?" Hey, it's quick and easy and it can last for 3 days!

Everybody has a go to dish, what's yours? 