My Spartan Siblings!
When I was three months old, my parents were involved in an accident. Fractured and recovering from concussions, they were stuck in the hospital for months as roomies--yet again ( I imagine them doing some "roomies-for-life" fist-bump as they lay in the same ward. Lol. Random)
Anyway, I had no clue what was going on, they had left me at home with my 4 older siblings that day and at 9pm(which was time for my night cap), mum and dad weren't back!
Where were they? That chirpy lady who smelt like fresh, rose-scented laundry and Elizabeth Arden's Red Door and that dark guy with the easy smile who cooed at me and called me 'babygirl', where did they go? These were my thoughts, as I chewed my foot and blew raspberries into the air, deep in thought......... as a 3-month old.
My siblings must have gathered around me in my crib, all four of them, sighing in love or rolling their eyes (lol) in compassion and in a flash jumping right into the role of parenting.
If you know babies at all, you'd know they are the neediest creatures on the planet. They have to be cleaned, fed, rocked, loved, burped, amused. Back then, babies used nappies not diapers; water not wipes; human rockers not battery-powered ones; bum air-baths not psuedocream.
For my siblings, the supposed fun, adventure known as their teenage years quickly became a blur of nappie pins, Farley's rusks and midnight babysitting. However, they sucked it up, gave the Sparta war-cry and took care of me as a team; they did it excellently well too!
My siblings are there when I need them and even when I don't. We don't always agree, which makes it all the more colorful, but we support each other in whatever way, most especially in prayers.
These days we are all busy. We catch up from time to time. I'll never really be able to completely repay them for having my back and making sure I always had on spanking-clean nappies that year, but I can requite with my unconditional sib-loving, prayers and confessions for their lives!
What's your fondest memory of your siblings? How often do you pray for your siblings? How often do you insert their name in scripture and bless them?
It's not enough to wish your siblings well; they need your love and prayers. Happy Siblings Day!
To Be or Not to Be a Blogger
Here's a hypothetical question to consider as a blogger or an aspiring blogger: If there was just one person who read your blog in the entire world, would you keep blogging?
Would you work as hard as you do to give a consistent quality of posts for one reader to ensure his/her satisfaction?
Would you still do Give-aways?! That would be one lucky reader! She/he would be the only give-away winner! Well, actually, luck would have nothing to do with it and that wouldn't even be winning, more like having a gift registry. Lol.
On a serious note though, those questions help you figure out how much of a commitment you are willing to invest in blogging. There might be days you have thousands of readers, sometimes just a few consistent readers and on some grey days, just 2! On those grey days when you feel a little discouraged, just think of that one hypothetical reader and blog away.
Much love to my one hypothetical reader! I love you, thanks for getting me out of bed everyday!
PGI's most read post last month had over 1000 hits!! Thanks for the shares!
LDR: My Sweet Virtual Valentine's
Source: IG @meganhess_official
To all Long Distance Relationship-ers (LDR-ers) out there, this Valentine's day is going to suck...........unless you have a plan. One thing i know about being in a LDR is that, it forces you out of your comfort zone and makes you think creatively! Plus, every romantic gesture you do has the potential to earn a million cookie points! It's just the way it is. For some odd reason, receiving an unexpected bouquet or package, getting a pre-recorded video, a hand written letter just gets everything sparkly and delightful and for that day and the next few days, the world is ok for your significant other. Contrary to popular belief, you CAN have a wonderful Valentine's Day, even in a Long Distance Relationship. Remember, you need to plan, like I said, else, it'll suck. I reiterate, the "Suck" factor will abide, mainly because you have nothing planned and all the couples are out that night cuddling, strolling, making out, or all three at the same time!
Here are 3 Things to consider during this planning:
The Surprise
All your significant other (sigO) really wants for Valentine's Day, is you. If you can, plan a trip to see him/her, make it a surprise! I once pulled off a surprise visit, i flew in from Italy on a Sunday, landed at night. Of course, this was all strategically planned. I knew Ed would be at church for about 2 hours out of my 7 hour flight and i know he eats huge lunches on Sundays, which is inevitably followed closely by a chronic case of food coma. He didn't wake up until i landed! We chatted for a while and went to bed, he was completely oblivious. The following morning, at 5AM, i got to his apartment building, ready to surprise! I was let in by the gateman, and then.......and then........and then.......I got attacked by his dog who had run into the compound, clearly perplexed by my presence. Lol! Then he had to rescue me from the dog, who I admit has always been a little jealous of me. Anyway, the visit was epic and amazing!
Strategically plan a surprise visit, it's worth 4,678,000 Cookie points!
The Gift
Since the beginning of time, the most common Valentine's Day gifts have been; Perfume, Teddy Bears, Cake, Chocolate, Flowers, Engagement rings (now we're talking, Grin)! They are all cute but sometimes, getting creative and character-specific with gifts earns you more points that the generic gifts.
Secret: I once sent a video of myself dancing to Don Jazzy and Tiwa's 'Eminado' to Ed one Valentine's Day. This video has since been destroyed, so as not to hinder any political office aspirations I may have in the future.
Generic Gift** (gift wrapped): 900,000 Cookie points
Creative Gift: 2,570,000 Cookie points
The Date
LDRs are the best! They get you creative, I tell you! They also make you appear a little looney.
Date night on Valentine's evening is a possibility, provided you are ready to give it a try.
Dress up (yes, shoes too), order or make a meal, call Sig.O on skype, light some candles (but don't turn the lights off because you won't be able to see each other) and have a Skype date on Valentine's night! Of course, if someone walks in on you, then you'd look a tad nuts but what do they know! If you both are culinary enthusiasts, the date can begin in the kitchen!
What are your Valentine's Day plans? Ever planned a fun surprise visit? How did it go? Were dogs involved? Hope not!
**There's absolutely nothing wrong with generic gifts, present it properly and bump up your cookie points!
#NoFools2016
“Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces”
#Nofools2016 #NothingPersonal
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Everyone!
I have zero New Year resolutions! Yay! I do have goals though. Dangerously ambitious goals relating to all aspects of my life; for one, God and I need to go back to our 5&6 status; I need to build on my professional skills; need to build on my kitchen portfolio-the amount of rice I ate in 2015, could probably fill a 3000 square feet house; need to learn to use chopsticks-no more asking for forks at Chinese restaurants; I need to say "Splendid" when I'm pleased and not "Yay"- overused that expression; need to stop saying "Ah!" when I'm surprised, as the Yoruba girl that I am. I might resume again in 2017, though.
Most importantly, I have huge goals to get to know my readers more and to express my appreciation more often. So, thank you for the support, love, comments, messages, wishes on PGI in 2015. I pray God makes this year fun and full of life for us and that we continue to learn as a community.
What are your 2016 goals?
5 Animations to look out for in 2016
Mums and dads, you know Pixar, Illumination and Disney have you covered every year. 2016 is coming with amazing movie-date opportunities for you and your kids! Who says parents can't go see a movie too, well technically, it's an animation which is in someway a movie. Who cares, you get to have some more bonding time with your babies! If you just groaned out loud at more time with your babies, well, groan no more, you can set up dad with the kids and they can go out and see angry birds while you escape to a spa where Pixar is the furtherest thing from your mind as you get your neck kneaded into muscle-heaven.
Another thing to do while the cat and kittens are away would be to create something, anything; write a poem, sketch something, paint something, sew a dress, design a purse, start a blog! Nothing is impossible in the presence of calm. [Click here for some encouragement.]
So quickly, check out the trailers and plan those movie dates, the next Mona Lisa isn't going to paint itself, m'am!
Top 5 Animations (2016)
1. Kung Fu Panda 3!
Apparently Po finds his real dad, or supposedly finds his real dad. The trailer is just down right funny.
2. Angry Birds Movie
I've never played the game. During the time when it was popular, i was on a no-addictive games streak....until i got sucked into CandyCrush. Tut-tut-tut. Then rehab, withdrawal symptoms, sweating and the works. No games for me, i can't wait to see this movie though!
3. The Secret life of Pets
Usually i'd watch anything set in New York and that has Kevin Hart in it. So there.
4. Finding Dory (official trailer to be released)
Remember Dory, the blue fish from Finding Nemo? Well, i can't say i'm surprised but she's lost and Marlin and her friends need to find her.
5. Ice Age: Collision Course (official trailer to be released)
More Scrat! He's the highlight of the Ice Age movies. I can't help analyzing the relationship Scrat has with that acorn. It really depicts a deep message of chasing things we think we need, hoarding it and watching it prove to be elusive, over and over again. Children movies are deeper than you think. Plan your 2016 animation schedule!
Have fun!
I'll update this post the moment all trailers are in!