Seriously, be careful what you say to people, because you never know when you’ll be eating crow.

I sit here writing this blog, while contemplating the response I should give. I am no where near perfect. However, neither is anyone else. A simple “Please,” “Thank You,” and “I’m sorry” can go a very long way. I will admit, I forget nothing. When I am wronged, it will stay with me like a splinter that I was unable to pull out with tweezers. Remember, I said I wasn’t perfect. That’s one of my flaws.

I’m a go-getter kind of person. I do everything based on knowledge and trail an error. I found that out today about someone that I work with, and I realized that’s why we get a long so well. We ask questions only when we absolutely cannot figure things out ourselves and we exude a ton of confidence. Confidence does not classify us as conceited or that we believe we are better than anyone. It just means we are sure of ourselves and own up to our mistakes/flaws. I realized today that makes people a little intimated by her (and me, too). I only came to this conclusion after another person came to me for help on something I would have no clue about and I went to seek out the answer for her. She didn’t want to go back to the same person she had already been to several times today asking other questions.

My advice to her was, something I tell my own children all the time. I know a little about a lot of things, and I know a lot about a few things. The things I have no clue about, I make it my mission to figure it out when the time comes. She doesn’t not need to be ashamed of anything that she doesn’t know, because we are students of life. It’s when we stop learning or being open to learning new things that we slowly start to die.

Someone said some thing that was more than hurtful it was like committing murder to my existence, yet and still I am the source they turn to for help. A dead person cannot give help or anything else. My first instinct is to be mean and turn my back. I tell everyone from the moment they meet me, that I am mean and the worse possible person to ever call “friend.” I do this to save myself from any kind of hurt. I am no stranger to hurt at all. I attract it everywhere I go. Now, if I go with my first instincts, I am embracing my description of myself to the highest power.

However, I’m a praying woman. I’m waiting for God to give me my message, because somehow deep down inside my being he is trying to tell me something. I am willing to hear his words and learn from them. But while I wait, I have to remember that the devil has jokes, too. He looks for a crack in my foundation and slithers in like a snake in the night wanting to turn my heart completely black. I don’t find him funny. I use his attacks/jokes as an indicator to pray more and harder.

Before I go, I need to recommend another book. I haven’t finished it as yet, but it’s very interesting. I cannot say I have ever read anything like it. It’s available for Kindle and in paperback form.

Wow…not only is it 13 days into the New Year, but it’s also the first Friday the 13th of 2012. I like it. I had better luck today than I did in the last few weeks. I injured my right foot back in October, and re-injured it yesterday. I made it through the day without any incidents and I usually have at least one.

What have I been up to? School, where I teach; school, where I learn; and the school of life. I have learned some things about some people lately, and I am using it all as a lesson as I move forward with my life. Enough on this.

In the school, where I teach (long-term substitute paraprofessional), the assistant principal found out on Monday that I wrote a novel. She made me feel so honored. She got on the morning announcements and told the entire school, even the bus drivers are coming to me in shock. I really need to learn how to promote myself better. I am not the type of person who likes to talk about myself. I tend to keep my feelings, accomplishments, etc. to myself. The students were so proud of me. This overall experience has refueled me. I have been in a very dark place lately. I had prayed for God to give me a pinprick of light, hope to tell me I was doing what he wanted me to do with my life. When the assistant principal looked at me and said she felt honored to be in my presence, my eyes watered up. I felt the presence of God surrounding me. He knew I needed that message badly.

In the school, where I learn, I had to write an ABC children’s book for an assignment. It turned out awesome. The book needed to be illustrated, one of the few requirements. My husband, daughter and I illustrated it in a very unique way. No clipart for me. I wanted to be different. We are researching how to publish this one. We think it would be a great asset to the classroom. There is more than one lesson within the pages. One of the other student’s book was so awesome, however, she cannot publish it because she used a character from a popular children’s book series. The children in her classroom will love it though, and that’s all that matters.

In addition to all those exciting things, I realized God sent me another pinprick of light. I noticed I have seven more courses left to do, before I begin student teaching. I cannot wait to get to that area of my course work. I’m ready to be done with papers and driving across town two nights a week. I’m ready to focus solely on the students I will have in my classroom. For now, I will live vicariously through the other teachers that I co-teach with. I already see changes within the students I work with closely, for that I am grateful for.

As always I have been reading. I wish I could list everything I have read recently here. I recommend both, you won’t regret it.

I am getting my mind ready for National Novel Writing Month aka NaNo WriMo. In doing so, I am participating in a 3 day writing workshop. I have been assigned a critique (crit) partner. She’s an awesome person in the literary world.

I went to the dentist yesterday, first thing I heard was “Did you bring part two for me?” Of course I didn’t, because I have finished writing it as yet. Then the dentist asked me about it as well. He told me he is building his library through his patients. This is a man he told me that reading puts him to sleep.

Such pressure.

The class begins in the next five minutes and I have yet to pick which one of my projects to use for this workshop. I could kick myself.

Wish me luck. I will share the end result and my experience when this is all over.

I know I am not the only one wondering what has happened to 2011. It feels like in the blink of an eye the year will be completely over.

I am already reflecting on what I have accomplished so far this year, and what I hope to achieve next year. This year I received my Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. The end of next year, I will be five months away from receiving my Bachelor’s degree in the same major. God willing, I will find a teaching position, I can begin that fall.

Currently, I am a substitute teacher. I took the substitute training and since then I have been full-speed ahead. I love what I do. I love leaving these students with hope and a dream. I cannot wait until I have my own class full of open minds; I cannot wait for the opportunity to be able to have more time with them.

I became a citizen of the United States, back in summer. Something I needed to do in order for me to have go forward with being a teacher. Nothing is in my path right now.

I’m thinking ahead…

Can I top what I have achieved in 2011? Is my change finally coming?

These last few years have been trying and difficult. Just as I felt like I was about to lose my mind, an uphill climb began. Now it feels like I have plateaued midway. I am not where I need to be or want to be in my life as yet. What can I do to change things?

As 2011 comes to a close and I gain another year on my life (birthday is in November), I am thinking about how to keep moving upward and forward.

Back in late June, I mentioned I would be taking part in the 30 books in 90 days, hosted by Written Magazine. Well, I wanted to share my progress.

I have only read 7 books, thus far. It’s hard doing this kind of a challenge. I don’t know how the people who complete it do it. I have until mid-September to finish, but I’m not sure I will. I’m still reading. Currently, I am reading Under the Dome by Stephen King and Somebody Pick Up My Pieces by J.D. Mason.

These are the books I have completed:

I hope I can add a lot more books to my final challenge tally.

Until Next Time
Happy Ready & Writing!

I remember when author and educator, Tayari Jones, mentioned tidbits of her writing process and taste of her then work in progress, now a completed novel, titled Silver Sparrow. The smidgen, she fed us, was enough to get my imagination running.

What could it mean to be a silver sparrow? I can’t actually say I’ve ever saw one. That was my analytical mind working it’s dominate position in the way I think. Once I opened the book, I did not need that side of myself to understand the quintessential meaning of the heart of the story.

You have two daughters to one man, two different mothers. Did you notice I didn’t call him a father? Anyway, one is known about by everyone, while the other is a big secret. What kind of person hides their children? A person who is clearly only interested in his/her own happiness.

A friend and I decided to read this book together and discuss it as we went along. She found it just ok, but I enjoyed it a lot. I connected to those girls, especially the hidden daughter. I got why she did some of the things she did. (I won’t divulge the things, because I would ruin the story for those who didn’t read it.)

Silver Sparrow reminded me of my own family life, a little. I have a half-brother, who when I first spoke to him cried about not having our father around during the time he was growing up. He wanted the things that I had and I would have preferred the life that he had. Meaning I didn’t necessarily want my father in my life, too much heartache and pain. For the daughters, Dana and Chaurisse, they saw something in the other that they wanted for their self.

Ms. Jones wrote with grace and portrayed the 1980s era very well. I grew up in that era. The descriptions were vivid and made imagining the place and time easy. I believe that people with half-siblings, could benefit from reading Silver Sparrow. They get to see the impact of lies and secrets, from both sides. Remember the children are always innocent in the matter, because the adults made the choices. As siblings, we should be mindful of the way we treat one another. It’s not our fault…it’s theirs.

I gave it 4.5 Mosaic Stones.

Heading: Intimate Portrait

APOOO: 4

Amazon: 4

Poetry is the lyrical essence of my soul; the same thing can be said about poet Rebecca Johnson. In Moonflower Dreams, Ms. Johnson uses the footprints of her life to construct a black and white memory of experiences, good and bad, to forever be remembered by all. These poems will make you think, shake your head, even take a deep breath releasing it in a drawn out sigh. “Unsuccessful” is a poem that will make you do the latter with lines like “A brush with death/awakened you to life.” Then there are the poems that regular everyday people could identify with; such as “Sleep,” for the person who suffers from insomnia. “Crushed Velour” speaks of a lost friendship. How I understand the emotions within the lines of this piece.

There were a few pieces that were my favorite for different reasons. “Precious Jade” because not only was it written in 26 words (one word for each letter of the alphabet) but it spoke of a life being more important than any worldly, material possession. “Angel” is another poem about friendship. Camaraderie in which, one person puts more of an effort into keeping the relationship intact. This reminds me of an unyoked marriage. The last of my favorites is “Acceptance.” It means exactly what the title says; accepting people for who they are and their potential for doing great things. Instead of being envious we can admire them with a simple compliment, letting them know they are pure awesomeness.

Ms. Johnson did something that I have never seen done before in any volume of poetry. She took the time to tell the meaning of the poems. In some instances, she mentioned the inspiration behind the piece. I recommend Moonflower Dreams to poetry lovers. They will not be disappointed with this collection.

The author provided an electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

Title: Ruthless by Shelia Goss
Amazon: 5 stars
5 Mosaic Stones

Heading: How Far Will You Go?

The second book Shelia Goss has written, where the main characters are from the Bible, is Ruthless. The first was Delilah; which left me with my mouth hanging wide open at the end. I could not wait to find out what happened to her, but Delilah was not the main character in this new book. Bathsheba “Sheba” Richards, a sophisticated, sexy nurse is married to Uriah Richards, who is trying to give her everything she wants and needs are the focus of this story; and so is David King, Uriah’s boss. The night Uriah introduces Sheba to his boss things change.

Sheba only has eyes for Uriah and the finer things in life. As much as she wants those finer things, she is not thrilled when David selects Uriah to go to Afghanistan to assist in opening another office. David uses this opportunity to try to snake his way into Sheba’s mind and heart. While Sheba is dealing with the time she left alone, another pressing matter is still hanging in the balance. She has been searching for an important person and may have a huge lead on where this person may be. Although Uriah is against it, Sheba cannot let this opportunity of getting to know this person pass her by. Who is this mysterious person? Will this distraction help David win Sheba over?

Lots of unexpected things happen throughout this book. By far, this is my favorite book penned by Ms. Goss. My emotions were on a rollercoaster ride, up and down. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. Ruthless is a dramatization of how far a person is willing to go to attain the very things that are not his to begin with. I recommend this book to readers of romance, faith-based stories, and avid Shelia Goss fans. You will not be disappointed!

The author provided an uncorrected electronic copy for review purposes.

Jennifer Coissiere
Words Mosaic Reviews

Can the the lyrics of this song be anymore correct? “Time keeps on slipping into the future…” What am I doing while time is getting away from me?

Mostly, I’m wasting time doing nothing. I do the mother-wife thing. I go to school and try to be a good student. (Side note (SN: I’m not really feeling the class I’m in right now, so I am barely trying. I can’t wait for my next class.) My teacher said something that resonated with me, this past Thursday. Her words have been dancing in my mind ever since.

She said: There is no such thing as not enough time. People who don’t manage their time well and that’s why they don’t get things done. (SN: Notice I didn’t use quotation marks, because I might have changed a few of her words around. But you get the gist of what she said.)

When she said this it slapped me in my face like never before. I scanned over a typical day in my life and I noticed I waste so much time doing nothing, but thinking. Even at night my brain is wandering all over the place; hence my insomnia issues. No matter how late I go to sleep, I still wake up fairly early. My poor body is drained.

I will say I get projects and assignments done as early as possible, so I don’t have to think about them as a due date approaches. I don’t like being in panic mode. My life is already very stressful for me. It’s not busy, but it is stressful.

Anyway, time management is a skill I don’t think I possess. I need to figure out a way to do everything I need and want to do in one day, without feeling as though I waste an entire day doing nothing. Or, I was ran through the ringer. I have stories I want to finish reading and books I need to finish writing. Through all that, I want to make sure I never neglect my family. They mean the world to me.

I’ve never been a planner. I like spontaneity. However, I need to find away to plan my days, even if it’s a small portion of my day. This will help me in the longer run.

30 Books in 90 Days Challenge Update:
I’ve finished the first book so far. I gave it 3 Mosaic Stones. Check out my review on Amazon for

I am currently reading

Until Next Time
Happy Reading and Writing! (and using time wisely)

My life has and still is very stressful. I tend to not show it in my mood or on my face, but my body spills the beans. Imagine my surprise when I noticed I have a significant amount of gray hair, for a person of my 33 years.

At this point, I seriously believe I have more grays than my mother. Not a very happy camper.

I’ve been dying my hair since I was 16. I hate my natural hair color. I need to figure out a color that won’t make me look too old or too young. I want to look my age. I’m proud of it. I’m leaning towards a golden blonde.

My spouse told me to do streaks. I wonder if he knows how difficult it is to do a streak in my head full of locs. Anyway, maybe I won’t be afraid to do before and after pictures, once I figure out what I am doing.

If you dye your hair, share the color with me. You never know, you might inspire me to go a different way. I won’t use jet black, that much I do know. Tried that once and I looked like a ghost. I used Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo to wash it out. That’s a post for a different day.

Until next time,
Happy Reading!