Who’s Your Daddy?

Now, I have nothing against gays, lesbians or anyone in the LGBT community. Not at all. I have nothing against gay couple having and raising children. But one thing I do have a BIG problem with is these lesbians who go around telling their children that their female lover/partner is the child’s “Daddy.” 

It truly boggles my mind as to why you would do that to a child. Yes, a family these days can be quite “modern” but that still doesn’t change the rules as to who is mommy and who is daddy. As long as I’ve been on this earth a “mommy” has always been a woman and a “daddy” has always been man. No matter if that woman was a stepmom, grandmother, aunt, cousin, neighbor, friend, etc “Mom” has always been a female. The same goes for the other side. When you speak of “Dad” you would be speaking of a male. 

If you are a lesbian or in a lesbian relationship and you have a child that is in your care, it makes no sense to have the child/children call your partner “Daddy.” Even more bewildering is when the mother does this when in fact the child’s ACTUAL father is an active participant in the child’s life. So obviously, the child would call their biological father “Daddy” and their mom, “Mommy”, but when at home with mother, the child also has to call this other woman “Daddy.” 

I think this must be really confusing for the child. How is this woman all of sudden their new dad? How do you explain her thinking that she has 1 mom and 2 dads, one of which isn’t a man. How does one say a sentence such as “I love my husband…she’s the best.” Or, “Go get your “Dad” HER slippers. Do you think many other of the child’s friends and classmates have ever heard of a dad who is not a man? What about when and if the mom splits with the female partner…what then? Does her female partner become a “dad” that walked out on their “child?”

Again, I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with two women being in a relationship and raising children. I simply feel that you should have the child address the partner as they are: a woman. No “he’s” or “his” or “hubby” or anything of that nature. If you want the child to address the partner as a parent figure, then simply have them call them “Mom” or “Mommy Jane” or whatever the case may be. What’s wrong with that?!

Mom’s Favorite Kid

I think this is the weirdest thing. I have a Facebook ‘friend’ who has three children and for whatever the reason, she only speaks of one of them. I just don’t understand it and it boggles my mind every time she posts a picture of the baby or writes a status about her. Now, this Facebook friend and I aren’t REALLY friends, so I don’t know that it’s necessary or appropriate that I question her about it, but I think it’s just so odd.

She often posts pics- several per week, or leaves status about what the baby has learned or is doing, etc. But as I said previously, she has three kids. Two boys and the youngest is a baby girl. Now, before she had this last baby, I would see her posts pics and little status updates about her middle child- and at that point I wonder why I didn’t see or hear anything about the oldest child. I was like. “wait a minute. now i know she has two sons, so why don’t I ever see her post a pic or leave a status about the oldest?!” So, then, she gets pregnant and has the little girl and now that is all her feed and photo albums are full of. What about the other two?! Do they still exist? Do you still have them? Are they no longer important? Do you only coo over the youngest of your kids? Like, seriously, what is the deal? Maybe the baby is her favorite and that’s who she focuses her attention

Have you ever come across anyone like this? I think it’s so strange.

July is Bi Pride Month?!

Well, apparently the month of July is recognized as “Bi Pride” month. I was not aware of this until recently but I can dig it. I hear a lot of talk about gay rights and gay pride and all of that but not too much relating to the bisexuals in the world. Perhaps to some the term “gay” is all-inclusive. I disagree.

So, I wanted to take a moment to recognize this month and maybe some of you out there will recognize it and spread the word as well. And yes, I know, it’s already the 28th of July, but hey- better late than never. I came across a really cool image/ecard that had to do with the subject of bisexuality.

It reads:

“So, you say you “don’t understand” bisexual people?

Some people like ice cream.

Some people like cookies.

Some people like ice cream and cookies.

Was that easy enough to digest”

 

I just loved seeing this post because it’s so simple for those who “don’t get it” and I can relate to it very much. I don’t see what’s so hard for people to understand. No one has to live a cookie-cutter life. No two people are the same and what what works for one, may not work for another. Some people like to refer to bisexuals as confused. That bugs me so much.

I am not confused. I am completely coherent and know what I like – both men and women. It is what it is. Get with it. Anyhoo, enjoy the rest of this month celebrating bisexuality by being free and most importantly, being yourself. . Hey you know what they say–‘ try it. you might like it.’

 

Starting to Exercise…Again

Well, I’ve decided that it’s time to start exercising…again. I made this decision towards the beginning of the year, and like most tasks that people ‘resolve’ to do, it didn’t stick. This time, however, I am truly motivated to exercise consistently and actually see and feel the results.

I’ve started hitting the treadmill again. I mean, I bought it so I might as well use it, right. Anyhoo, I’ve been going at it for about a solid week and half, almost two. Something like that. I started really easy, not wanting to overdo it like I did the last time. (I started a little too strong and ended up bothering an old injury, had to skip a few days, which turned into months). So, to get things going I committed to a 30 minute session. I still pushed myself, but kept in mid that there is no race going on.

At first, I wanted to quit after about 4 minutes…like ‘OMG, really?! But I didn’t quit. I’d read somewhere that by 7 minutes the brain receives the chemicals/impulses signals it needs to start to feel a lil pumped about the exercising. So that became my ‘mini-goal’- get to 7 minutes. By the time I got to 7 minutes I was still in it, feeling fine, not wanting to give in. I kept going.

It took me about 33 minutes or so to get to 2 miles and when I got to that point I was nice and sweaty, feeling pumped and had had a great workout. I really do get such a great feeling from working out- something that I’ve unknowingly really missed. It feels good when your mind n spirit tell you that you can keep doing it even when your body wants to quit. To get through it all and be able to say “I did it!” is a wonderful thing.

So since that time, I’ve been sure to workout at least four days a week, a minimum of 2 miles. I’ve pretty much kept to that routine with the exception of one day recently where I decided to stick with it for an hour of walking, jogging and running. I did 4.045 miles in 60 minutes and burned 600+ calories. My heart was pumping so fast and I was dripping and drenched with sweat, but I was happy. It felt great. So, this is definitely something that will become a way of life. I’m going to try to workout every day from now on…adding in some floor work as of yesterday – 5 pushups, 10 sit ups, 20 lunges and 35 squats.

I’m on a road to a better, healthier, fitter, slimmer me.

Nooka’s Zizm ZenH Titanium Watch

I recently got the chance to try out a new watch made by Nooka. My first impression was that this was a really cool looking watch. I don’t believe I’d seen anything like it before, and I certainly never owned anything similar to it either. I was quite excited as I’d heard good things.

Upon receiving the watch, it took a bit of time to get the watch set. It does come equipped with directions, but they certainly were not the easiest to follow. I ended up having to go online and find another source with clearer, easier to understand instructions. It took at least 30m to get the time and date set.

Also, the band is not cut when you purchase the watch, so that’s a plus because you can make sure that you take it to an expert jeweler and they will cut it so that it fits you perfectly. I really like the soft, silicone band. This model watch is the first of Nooka’s that has the silicone band. The band also continues the faceted design of the face throughout the entire band.

Reading the time display does take some time to get accustomed to, but after a short while you’ll get used to it and have no problems. It really is a unique design and most everyone that sees it will spark up a conversation about it.

Overall, I think this is a great watch and a very good buy if you’re looking to stand out and be different. Head over to http://www.nooka.com because SAKEENA SAID they have some pretty cool watches… for both women and men.

 

 

Back-to-Back Babies

This is something I just don’t understand. I can’t comprehend why people have unplanned children back-to-back…

I totally understand if you have one unplanned pregnancy as a result of some bad-decision making. I’m not a prude, I get it. What I don’t get is how you find yourself dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, give birth to a beautiful, healthy little baby and then somehow forget to use contraceptives again.

You have a newborn baby, who probably can’t fully hold up their head yet, and there you are telling everyone that you’re expecting again. WHAT?! Pregnant again?! Did you forget that you just had a baby? Did you forget that you have no husband, no job, not even your own place to call home?! You would think a newborn or an infant would have you so busy and tired that you’d barely have time for sex. But if you’re gonna do it–use a damn condom!

People really need to be more responsible for their actions and need to take the time to think about their futures before making some of these decisions. The stuff is really mind-blowing to me.

Personally, I couldn’t, or rather, I wouldn’t take on the responsibility of having to crying, stinking, pooping little ones BOTH in diapers and need my constant attention.

What’s worse is those that do it back-to-back-to-back.  I mean, you have a baby in December, turn around and have another in February of the next year, and ANOTHER one is April of the next year. Each time saying, “this is the last one.” Well, I should hope so. If you like having sex that much but DON’T want to continue having children, you should ensure that you are ALWAYS using condoms in addition to having female birth control as well.

It’s 2014, people. Get with it.

Now, before sign off on this, I would like to point out that if you WANT and have PLANNED to have a large family or each pregnancy is planned, and you’re a married couple or at the very least a COMMITTED couple with years and years of time spent with one another, then hey- have as many kids as you can every single year and give the Duggars a run for their money. I’m merely speaking about these unwed mothers out here with 3-5 kids all with different last names, mere memories of the men she used to deal with. It needs to stop.

Wisk Laundry Detergent $1.49 at CVS!

You might want to check out your local CVS pharmacy this week if you’re in need of Laundry detergent.

This week, Wisk laundry detergent (as well as ALL laundry detergent) is on sale Buy 1, Get 2 FREE! Yes, you read that correctly– get not one, but TWO free bottles with the purchase of 1. This is a great time to stock up or simply save yourself some money.

If you’ve been cutting those coupons every week, you should have some $1.50/1 manufacturer coupons. 

Here’s the breakdown:

Buy 3 bottles of Wisk laundry detergent at $8.99 each = $26.97

– Buy 1, Get 2 free sale = – $17.98

– Use 3 $1.50/1 mf qpons = – $4.50

Total OOP (out of pocket) = $4.49 or $1.49 each bottle 

 

Even if you don’t have any coupons this is STILL an awesome deal. Sale ends 3/29.

Remember to follow me on Instagram: @chi_smart_shopper

New ‘Do! Rockin’ the Senegalese Twists

So, let’s face it – deciding which hairdo I am going to sport is often quite a dilemma for me. This last time, I was going back and forth trying to decide what I was going to do. Sew-in? Microlinks? Twists? Braids? Those were the styles I was trying to decide between. My main thing was that I had just finished rocking an ombre sew-in (that I installed myself) and I kinda wanted to switch it up with braids or twists, but I absolutely dread the anticipation of sitting in that damn stylist’s chairs for hours and hours and HOURS!

The last time I got Senegalese twists it was almost a year ago and when I got them, I was at that shop for at LEAST a good 12 hours. I couldn’t take it. I was over it. The very SECOND she was done with the finishing touches I hopped up out that seat so fast- I was ready to get home to my nice warm bed. Plus, the shop was super unprofessional and the stylists were loud, obnoxious and even having heated arguments with each other. All these things had me quite apprehensive about getting my hair done again by someone else. Although, I must say, those waist-length, two-toned twists were H.T.D. (Hot to Death).

In the end, I opted to get the Senegalese twists again. I went to the same braider/stylist, who is now at a different shop (thank goodness). I didn’t get them quite as long or quite as small as I did last time and I was able to get in and out of that chair in 7 hours. 7 hours…I can deal with. Just one complaint –  OUCH! my head was a bit sore in a spot or to after completion, but you know what they say, “no pain, no gain.”

Overall, I am quite pleased with my new ‘do. I think I look simply fabulous and am very much pleased with the decision I made and the outcome. I love being able to get up and go without much fussing over my hair. It is quite convenient and stylish and I recommend the style/look to both relaxed and natural hair textures. Don’t you think it looks good? 🙂

Now, I have a couple of months to think about the next style…any suggestions? 😉

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure

I recently received some new nail polish courtesy of Influenster and Sally Hansen. It is the new Sally Hansen “Complete Salon Manicure” nail polish. I opened the Voxbox from Influenster and inside there were 3 bottles of nail polish – “Jaded,” “Pat on the Black” and “Red My Lips.”

I decided to do a manicure with the “Red My Lips” color first as I don’t often do red polish, but happened to be wearing red at the time and had bare nails.

The first thing I noticed when I began to apply the polish, is the brush. OMG- love it! It is so thick and shaped in such a way that it helps reduce ‘errors’ of getting polish on skin. This polish brush is boss, for real, for real. LOL 🙂 Another thing I must point out, the coating is pretty great as well. Usually the first coat of polish won’t do much, but this Complete Salon Manicure polish would look just fine if you only prefer to do one coat. I, personally, always do at least two coats- sometimes three. Two coats of this stuff and I had bangin’, vibrant color.

Several days, nearly a week in – and no chipping or cracking at all. This polish is definitely made to make the most of your mani. I really wouldn’t expect too much less from this brand. Sally Hansen has been a known and trusted brand since I was kid and I am sure I will always be a fan. Especially with amazing products like this that work extremely well and won’t put a dent in my wallet!

So, in short, Sakeena Said- “If you haven’t tried the Complete Salon Manicure nail polish by Sally Hansen, you are missing out on something wonderfully beautiful.”

From Sally Hansen: the Complete Salon Manicure nail polish collection