How to Save Money on Books (Wrapping Up 2016)

2016 2016ed us up and down. Yes, even I got 2016ed in parts of offline land. But 2016 allowed me to finally reach a personal reading goal. I'm an avid reader. Well, I am a avid fictional reader. Non-fiction doesn't hold my attention but I like to informed and know a variety of facts. So since 2011, I have been trying to at least read 5 non-fictional works for a year. I have failed ever year. Fiction would bring out a shiney nickle of make believe to distract me. This year I decided not to read any fiction until I read the 5. I couldn't have made this challenge any harder. Hence the post title. Could buy fiction because I was striving for a goal.

1. Unless I am reading the whole Bible, scriptures don't count
2. Cookbooks, Diet Trends and any other job related books don't count
3. Any books not on the Kindle before 2016 must be paid for. Free Books don't count

I finally got to read fiction in September. The reader in me is beaming with pride. I didn't read 5 books, I read 6. First I will feature the books already in the Kindle. Those were the most challenging. I tried to read the stuff that I started but put down. I understood why I put some of that stuff down. So, I moved to the works that were "in the que".

If These Shoes Could Talk by Tia McClollors 
This is actually a 30 day devotional. This was suppose to last a while. The next thing I know I was two chapters in. It encourages women to take steps forward in every aspect in their life. My favorite section is "The Ways if a Woodpecker". Tap Tap Tap Pause Tap Tap Tap Pause

80s Kids by Jade Heasley

Ok so, I live in a weird in between the age space of Generation X & Millennials. Researchers say it is common for those born in 1976 - 1981 to feel this way. Other than she was raised in the north and I was in the south our 80s memories were similar. I Love the trip down memory lane. The chapter "Mom vs Music Videos" reminded me of my grandmother. My grandmother felt like music videos were vile and no good to watch. She didn't approve of us watching them until we showed her Video Gospel on BET in the 90s. Oh her descriptions & love for 80s toys made me long for my old ones. In my opinion, 80s toys were the best. I literally smelled my Orange Blossom doll as I combed her hair as a child. #ChildhoodisCalling

Now to the non-fiction I paid for this year. They were mostly books in my book wish list that I didn't bought because of the sweet temptation of fiction.

If Only I Knew Then by DeLisha Sylvester

This is what I LOVE about Twitter. It puts me in contact with people who have a lot of similar interest as I. This author is the founder of Women's Elevation Magazine. We actually used to live tweet some of the shows on Black & Sexy TV for a little while. Her book is a gem to a person with a small buisness. I actually read it on my birthday. I wished I had this book when I started DS. I have a degree in Food & Nutrition. DS came because I was broke & bored. I was unemployed & my degree was almost a year old. This book was honest and helpful. "Stress" is the chapter that spoke to me the most. "If you don't control your stress, It will control you". And if you know me, I have to be in control of me.

The Wait by Devon Franklin & Meagan Good 

This probably the most known non-fiction work I read in 2016. As a celibate individual, many times you have to explain your stance. And allies in the celibate world that tell their honest stories are always needed. I waited (no pin intended) for this book's popularity died down to read it. I remember rocking back in forth reading this book like I was hearing a good sermon. The best part about this book is because they truly understand the message of "It Puts You Back in Control". Celibacy for many is not about body counts, STDs, being "holy", & not even the act of sex itself. It's about feeling like the authentic you. The Wait helped me tell folks, "I stopped so I could feel like my Real self".

Forget Boaz, I Want My Adam by Livi Adams 

I saw the title of this book on Instagram in 2015 & started following the author. I try hard not to be a know-it-all. And I was happy to find it was not just me. The "never been married" moaning "Where is My Boaz" is strange to me. Boaz was Ruth's 2nd husband. Too many never been married women out here trying to glean but you may need to find out what rib cage you match up with. And this book helps my feelings. It's a quick read and not hard to follow.

Lost & Found by Lyne V. Reider 

After I read this book, I started getting annoyed with so many people complaining on social media, especially Facebook. For two weeks, I unfollowed (still friends on FB but their posts don't come up on my TL) a few people. Most complain about the people they feel should support them more in life. The author goes through her journey to being a blessing to many through the grief of losing two sisters & a husband before the age of 40. I remember saying "Man" & holding my face throughout this book. Making your mess into a good message is the name of the game. So are you winning?

So, those are the non-fiction books I read in 2016. I am so happy to finally agree this book goal. My next book goal is reading 5 books that were banned from school libraries.

Yes, a paperback 😂

Yep, I'm going to find out what is so bad about Tom Sawyer & To Kill a Mockingbird. Starting that goal in 2017 but first I plan to finish The List by Sherri Lewis. Yep, some good ol' fiction. LoL

Did you meet any goals this year? Leave the story in the comments.

And As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms

Like - Love: Oh That Dash (Poetry Corner)

I got Beauty, Lust, & Power. Should be an interesting 2017. Funny part is I just wrote a poem about Lust 👌😎😀

Lust

Lust was Seen & Heard

Before Lust even Spoke to me

I was not Impressed

Lust gave me an Invitation

But Sleep had a better Event

Sometime later, up pops Lust

Apparently it was an Open invite

Cracked the door because of Nosiness

Life nicely Shut it Back Tight

If Lust paid me any Attention

Not being my Style would be Known

And I saw the Pictures & Posts

I don't seem to be Lust's either

Maybe it's a Screw it, Let's Do this

But what is the This to be done

Let me Unfollow Lust

And maybe Lust will Close the Offer

What 3 words did you see first? Let me know in the comments.

As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms

What's in a December Greeting?

The memes in this post should tell you how I really feel. I really don't understand the fussing. Somebody saying "Merry Chistmas" is not an assuming egomaniac. Happy Holidays is inclusive not divisive.

Most of us living in the "Melting Pot" are not dressed in a manner that indicate our religious or non-religious preferences.

So, unless the maliciousness is obvious (Ex: rudly saying Merry Christmas to a lady in a hijab) being offended is null & void, in my opinion. To strangers I see this time of the year, I say Happy Holidays. But

I'm a Christian with a rainbows & sunshine attitude about this non-issue issue.

As a Christian, the only thing that offends me is using an X instead of Christ in Christmas. Even some Christians make this mistake. Don't do a quick job on Jesus or Don't leave him out on the day designated for his birth. An X is NOT a + cross !!!

Let's just be happy a tad this time of the year. Let's be Respected & Respectful all the year so, it can be a natural action by the end of the year.

As Always Talking To In You In Adult Terms

Can't Even Afford to Ask

Tis the season to be jolly but apparently it's Still not the season use your Common Sense. I was entering the house late one morning last week and on my grandmother's TV was a news story that cause me to give it side eye. People are complaining about what children are wishing for on the Angel Tree. Go read about it HERE.

So, either givers are full of doubt or don't understand children. If they are skeptical, why are they giving? I think the Salvation Army does good research on families before putting up the Angel Tree list.

So, it has to be the latter. These givers don't understand that unfornunate children are Still children. They are going ask for the same things their fortunate peers are asking for. They are asking for same stuff they & their "fornunate" peers think is cool.

“I agree some of them are extravagant. This is what a child is asking for. So you can’t dictate what they want and don’t want,” said Tamara Lorenz

What did these givers expect to be on the list? PS4 Pro & Iphone 7 are the hottest things out. All the children want them. Why not? Their ads are everywhere. When ELF nails sets & glow-in-the-dark shoe laces are not being shown on the TV & internet all the time.

Children are going to ask for what is popular. They don't know how their peer's parents really got their child's PINK sweats. They see they have them and they now want some. It is for the givers to use common sense and buy what their wallet can afford. If your angel asked for a PS4 Pro, maybe buy a Nintendo Classic, another very coveted item for a fraction of the price.

So, Needy kids can't afford to ask for nice stuff?

That's what these complaints make it sound like. They should be able to. Same money that is spent on a bicycle can be spent on a basic smartwatch from Best Buy. Maybe just donate your money & let those with giver hearts & brains buy for the angels.

The Bible says "God loves a cheerful giver". Being judgemental about what the less fornunate should request for a gift is not so Jolly.

People let's give with Joyful hearts, alright!!! Happy Holidays!!!

As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms

Can We Just Talk???

You know why Freedom of Speech is so costly these days? Because people are putting too much value on every statement made by everybody. I think people read & hear with a critical, dramatic, & trivial eye & ears these days. Just within the passed few days I've caught myself defending my simple statements and wondering if simple statements were said to offend me. Others more than likely, have also. How long have we been in this state? I'll be durn if I continue to interact life like this. LET STATEMENTS BE STATEMENTS, SOMETIME. I know that is a clouds & rainbows approach. But at what point do we simply talk and listen?

Sad part is somebody will read this and think I am talking about them. I'm just speaking My Truth. If My Truth feel like I am throwing vicious shade towards you...Take The Blow.

As Always, Talking in Adult Terms

How the Turkey Survived (Food-Know-It-All)

Ok, I know the title sounds like the beginning of a bad joke but it's the only thing that would come to my mind. So, it stuck. The holidays are coming up and many of us will have turkey as the featured meat during a meal.

Turkey is synonymous with the holidays, Thanksgiving & Christmas. No rule says we must have it. Our history books tell us that was fish, shellfish, venison, & waterfowl along with Turkey on the 1st Thanksgiving. So, why is Turkey the only protein survivor? Who said "Christmas Turkey"? Ok, Let's talk Turkey!

Turkey became the choice because of historical influence & economically pragmatic reasons. By the time Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving in 1863 as a national holiday in the USA, many eminent figures in the country's past gave high praise to the turkey. William Bradford's diary, Of Plymouth Plantation, included turkey in the first Thanksgiving meal.

Before turkey farms, turkeys were caught in the wild. So as Thanksgiving started becoming a celebration, there were more turkeys to catch than the other animals. Turkeys are not serviceable as other animals. They aren't used for a milk or egg source. Turkeys are also uniquely American. It is a native bird to the USA, Canada, & Mexico. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey as the country's bird over the bald eagle. So for many years, turkeys were talked about especially. Even Alexander Hamilton is documented saying "No citizen shall refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day". So, the turkey "seed" was planted with the founding of the country. So before the November holiday became major, turkey was already center stage.

Winter holidays have been pricey for generations. Turkey is large enough to feed a table full of hungry guests. The bird is thought to be the most cost-effective protein. They are cheaper per pound than chicken. And it is also cheaper & easier to raise than geese, the former traditional yuletide bird. Turkeys (farm raise & wild) are born in the spring and eat a diet of worms, insects, corn, & nuts to make them grow 10+ pounds in 6-7 months.

Those big birds can feed the multitude. Many food chroniclers feel like the iconic status of the turkey yuletide meal was popularized by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol, published in 1843 (20 years before American Thanksgiving became a national holiday). It is believed that Scrooge's gift of a turkey was to help Mrs. Cratchit with meals to feed the family. Many sneer their noses at leftovers these days but then they were needed. That leftover turkey could make soup for a few days to warm the kids after playing in the cold while on school break. Bob could have a few sandwiches for lunch. And though the Crachits are fictional, that kind of poverty was(is) not. A lot of real people were (are) making those meals for that reason.

So, that is how the turkey survived. Unlike deer and seafood, that big bird is a beloved native that helps lessen a hit or two to our bank accounts.

Ok here's a question, who makes the best turkey, for you? You? Your Grandmother? Your Mother? A Mom & Pop Diner? A Luxury Department Store? In my opinion, my cousin, blog name Cha-Cha makes the Best turkey.  I think my whole family agrees. It is moist, tender, and very flavorful. And with her permission, I am sharing her recipe. It is her take on Ree Drummond's(The Pioneer Woman) recipe. Her recipe takes out the salt, butter, and cooks it in a bag. We are a roasting bag kind of family. We don't stay up to baste anything. LoL

Cha-Cha's Roasted Turkey
Turkey "Brine"
Ingredients

• 3 cups Apple Juice Or Apple Cider
• 2 gallons Cold Water
• 4 Tablespoons Fresh Rosemary Leaves
• 2-1/2 cups Garlic Powder
• 2 cups Brown Sugar
• 3 Tblsp Peppercorns
• 5 whole Bay Leaves
• Peel Of Three Large Oranges

 Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Stir until garlic powder and sugar dissolve. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover. 
2. Allow to cool completely, then pour into a large brining bag or pot. Place uncooked turkey in "brine" solution, then refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours. 
3. When ready to roast turkey, remove turkey from brine. Submerge turkey in a pot or sink of fresh, cold water. Allow to sit in clean water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt from the outside. 
4. Discard brine. Remove turkey from clean water, pat dry, and cook according to your normal roasting method.

Roasted Turkey Method
Ingredients

• 1 whole Turkey, Brined 
• 1 cup Olive Oil
• 1 whole Orange
• 2 whole Fresh Rosemary Sprigs, Leaves Stripped And Minced
• 1 teaspoon Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper

• Roasting Bag, Turkey Size
• 1 Tbs Flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Remove the turkey from the "brine" Pat the turkey dry and place in a sink. 
3. Using a vegetable peeler, shave off thick slices of orange peel and slice them very thin. Combine with oil, rosemary, garlic, and pepper. Smear the oil mixture all over the skin, in crevices, etc so that it is fully covered. 
4. Shake flour inside the roasting bag and place in a large roasting pan that is at least 2 inches deep.
5. Carefully slide turkey into the oven bag, breast side up. Close oven bag with the included nylon tie and cut six 1/2 inch slits in the top of the bag.
6. Baking time varies depending on the size of your turkey. (Times are at end of recipe)
7. When your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone, remove it from the oven and let stand in the oven bag for another 15 minutes. Cut open the top of the bag and carefully remove turkey from the bag, and place it onto a cutting board
8. Cover loosely with clean aluminum foil until you're ready to carve!

Turkey Cooking Times

• 1.5-2 hours for 8-12 lb turkeys
• 2-2.5 hours for 12-16 lb turkeys
• 2.5-3 hours for 16-20 lb turkeys
• 3-3.5 hours for 20-24 lb turkey

Pair that with the actual food star on our family's table, my mother's green bean casserole, and my plate is complete. LoL I need to do some sit-ups just thinking about it.

No matter what you have on your table remember those who are less fortunate and be grateful for whatever you have. Not to sound cliche, all of it is truly about the reason for the holiday season. It is about the peace, happiness, joy, & love that we are blessed with. If material things are how you define the word Blessed, then your dictionary is wrong. Be Thankful! Be Joyful! Be Blessed!

As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms

When the Things You Do Speak For You (October Awareness)

Death came by the Pink & Purple Love sides of my world. It took me a most of this month to type this post. One reason is because these deaths were actually personal & close to my loved ones & me.

The other is because both deaths made me react on both ends of the grief spectrum. It something I had to process. It was wild, I couldn't think of one bad thing for one and one good thing for another. I've never felt that way about people I know when they die.

Yeah, the purple side was the person I couldn't find anything good about this person. This person was an abusive perpetrator but I didn't know that for a long time. I didn't know that when the victim left the relationship, years later.

So when this person died, I felt a tinge of guilt for ragging on them when I got the news (pray for me). So, I decided to think on the good things about them. I know other people who were/are abusive and I seen them do some good. The only thing I could think of was this person's laugh. They laughed like the cartoon dog, Muttley and my cousin, DD & I (ages 6 & 8) determine that was weird & crazy, a long time ago. So, I waited until after the person's services & learned it was a quiet & short affair of mostly family. I did learn that person taught someone I know how to fish. Fishing is Very relaxing to the person I know. I decided to take that point and let that be that person's good. In the end, it between their God and them anyway.

The person on the pink side didn't passed away from breast cancer. This person is the one who first to introduce part of my world to Breast Cancer Awareness.

This person brought info, drives, seminars and screenings (other diseases also) to my world. Breast Cancer Awareness was just something others did until this person presented to us. This month, a few programs have been dedicated to the memory of this person. I saw photos of the event. People were styled & smiled in their pink. The fight may have lost a solider but their work still lives on.

The song featured was play at the funeral of the person on the pink side. I was thinking about the lyrics and we all should incoporate them to our lives. If we took the time to think about what the things we do actually spoke for us, we wouldn't do most of the stuff we do. When we are resting in our graves, would you want people to think long about your goodness or your goodness outshine everything that could be said?

Well, it's time for me do something that will speak for me. I have on purple & pink and hopefully that speaks volumes.

As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms