Always Sisters.....

This post is dedicated to my Sista. I was going to do a post last year for her birthday but I never got round to doing it. Last year November I was doing daily or almost daily Post on the many things I was Thankful for. I wonder what happened this year. Today is Thanksgiving Day and today my Sister is a year older. Happy Birthday Sista.

My Sista is my best mate. Even though we are several hundreds of thousand miles apart from each other we communicate everyday. Our spouses allow us have our space and try not to figure out the 'fights' and the arguments we seem to have every now and then. I guess they just spice up the relationship. My Sista and I were in Uni together and we lived together for 2 years before she left school. Our roomies also learnt very early to stay clear of our heated arguments on all things from money( I was always borrowing and not returning at agreed terms or time) , clothes, food, boys, friends, or whose turn it was to make hot cocoa for the three blind mice( Shout out to all D43 roomies) for as the arguments started so did it always fizzle out. She has on many occasion said to people, don't forget she is my Sista anyway...

My Sista is a good woman, a loving mother and wife and a WWTBP(Writer Waiting To Be Published)

For as long as I can remember my Sista has been writing. She has nothing published yet but that doesn't mean she is not good at it. She is work in progress and she keeps getting better everyday.She just needs to keep at it. Meeting Christain Writer over summer was a good experience for her. We still keep referring to the meeting and conversations anytime we talk about writing.I have watched her set writing goals for herself. She is more determined to meet those goals and set bigger ones. She is currently doing an internship and constantly seeking experiences that will improve her writing. I just would like to re-affirm my total commitment to reading everything you write. I also will always be there to chat and talk on the phone about competitions and all sorts. I pledge my allegiance to this writing mission and I know there will be a paragraph with my name on the acknowledgement page some day soon.

Enjoy your day and Happy Thanksgiving.

Lets sing that our song again... Always Sisters , Always Friends. Lets Stay real close to the end. Loving each other... Always Sisters , Always Friends.

Happy Thanksgivings

WARNING: This Post may be LONG!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to y'all.

At the beginning of the month i said i was going to do a Thanksgiving Post everyday. Along the way I bowed to the pressure of work and procrastination. Many times i tried to post but i was just too tired to get my Brain to function well. I justified that with its better not to post than to post incoherently. Today is Thanksgiving day.I have to post even though I'm so TIRED I want to run out of my body.

To make it easy for me I'll do a list.i love making lists and I always have a note book and pencil ready to make my never-ending list. I'm going to List 22 things I'm thankful for. It should be pretty easy abi lets see.

1. The Gift of Life. I take this gift for granted so many times but with each passing day I thank God for the gift of my LIFE. I'm not any better than so many many who have gone. But by HIS grace he has counted me worthy. I say Thank you.
2. I give thanks for my Father. He will be going back to the university after about 2 years away for various assignments. 1st was his sabbatical and then Jos. I know he would have loved to stay on in Jos and find some more relevance but the politics is getting to him and he will rather go back to his teaching. He is a good man and a good teacher. I give thanks for him. I give thanks for the gift of reasoning and the ability to withdraw at the right time. For he who fights to run lives to fight another day. This is just the beginning. I love you.
3. I give thanks for Rose my new Nanny. She is a good girl and I'm grateful for the support she gives to our household. The boys love her and we are all one big happy family.
4. My Lord Bishop's will was read last Saturday. I give thanks cos the reading went well. There was no fights and despite all the rumours that have being flying that some certain members of the family has being disinherited. They were not and those who didn't get anything cried but it was too late. I give thanks for the children who through it all were united and strong.
   
5. I give thanks for my job. I waited this long to mention it so I don't sound like a workaholic. The truth is i love my job. Is it the dream job? No but its not far from it. I enjoy working with my Boss. She is strict but fair. I look up to her in so many ways. When they say female bosses are mean or women don't like working with other women they were not talking about my boss.
6. I give thanks for my Broda Ibk ( he hate the name) and his wife. They have only being married for about 11 months. Morning shows the day. i expect great things form the 2 of them. I give thanks for the support that he give me. I sound him off on a lot of things and he sure going to be a good head of the family someday howbeit a very STRICT one.
7. I give thanks for my Sis Max and her family. Ct is back at home and he spoke to me on the phone. He is getting stronger by the day and they should move in the 1st week of December. I still don't have a ticket to go see her despite all my campaign. This just means when I see her it will be a supa duppa holiday for me, London to Minnesota then back to London.
8. I give thanks for TO. She is Max's friend and Prayer Partner since forever. I think they meat in French School. She is back in Nigeria after 2 years study in Paris. She is looking for a J.O.B. She is like family and I appreciate her support for Max all thru the trials with CT and always. I also give thanks for my friend P.J. She is also my business partner. Thank you for always having my back covered.
   
9. I give thanks for Koko. She is our sista from another mother.
   
10. I thought this was going to be easy but I give thanks for the more I think the more I realise that its not all gloomy. God has indeed being GOOD to me. I thank God for his Love towards me at all times.
    
11. I give thanks for Madame Do Good.( my cousin) as the name implies she is always doing good. She was a year older a couple of days ago. I give thanks for her life and the role she plays in the family. Many more years ahead my dear Cousin
12. I give thanks for Tee whose hubby decided to whisk away for a romantic weekend in London cos now when she is less busy with the 'activities of the weekend away' she can help me get a dress suit for Senior Boy who is going to be a ring bearer at a wedding in 2 weeks.Why we waited this long to get the suit ? Ask my Oyo man.
    
13. I give thanks for my Mum. Even though she is coming this late in the list I love her and I know she loves me too. Love you Mummy see you at Christmas.
14. I give thanks for my Aunt E. Her life is an example of how determination and hard work pays. I'm proud of ALL your achievements .
    
15. I give thanks for my Cousin. I know this time next year when I'm making this list you will have your own testimony.
16. I give thanks for my Grandmother, though she is has being gone 4 years now she still is very much a part of our life. Her legacy can NEVER be forgotten and all her Prayers God has answered. We love you E.O. I miss you daily.
17. I give thanks for my other Broda. He is in a Transition at the moment. Expectations and Aspirations. I give thanks cos you have the mind of God and he will direct your path. Just listen and follow his lead.
18. I give thank for Bloggers and Blogs. Whoever came up with the idea of a Blog? How on earth would I have met 36,Solomonsdyelle,Uzo,Atutu,Araceli, Bimbylads,Boorish,TaureanMinx,Silent Storm,Overwhelmed,London Buki,Princesa,Jeremy,Christain Writer,Mamalopes, A kel,Linda Ikeji, Funmi Iyanda, Molara Woods, Nyemoni, Udy, Pilgrimage to Self, Sara etc etcetc many of who I haven't met physically but ALL of who I feel a connection with. Thank you ALL for coming into my life.
    
19. I give thanks cos this is almost over. I didn't know it would be this hard.
20. I give thanks for my Oyo man.
    
21. I give thanks for my boys, Senior Boy and Old man.
    
22. I give thanks for all the issues in my life right now cos thorough it all I'm getting better. I give thanks for family and friends who through the year have supported and made me better. Love you lots and God bless you all.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I take hand cover my face.....

Day 16

I posted last over a week ago. I have being so so very busy at work. The stress level was HIGH. But we thank God Abuja has opened for business. In the last week I have felt so many emotions that even as I write I still feel tired and drained but in all things I give Thanks.

I was deceived by a colleague in the office who in agreement with some courier company promised to deliver in 24hours when they knew it could not be done. I was anxious and expectant and i naively believed all the stories they spun. The wool fell of my eyes and I saw them for the con that they were by then man hours have being lost and my credibility was in ruins but Thank God through it all i took ownership of the problem and was not shy to admit i goofed.

In the past week i was at the point of declaring a colleague missing. She was to fly to Abuja to resume when she came to say she had to travel with her LasserLab puppy. Virgin Nigeria do not carry animals and the notice was too short to get on Aero not that we were sure they will carry Glory and her puppy. She was ready to go by road and off we went on Friday. At about 10.00am on Sunday she wasn't in Lagos and the Abuja guys had not seen her or her puppy. The was going crazy with worry. I couldn't even tell my Boss what was happening when I didn't even know what was happening. I had to call her next of kin and ask if they have heard from her. The tears I shed when I heard her voice on the phone were of relief and victory.
I don't know if i would have survived if anything happened.

My nephew is well and out of the hospital. My sista's plan to relocate to the US has to wait till next month. I still want to go see her more than ever before but i still need a free ticket. I give thanks for that.

The boys love their new Nanny and I give a million thanks for that. If all my hair were a thousand Tongue it wouldn't be enough to give Thanks for the kind of support she renders.

Julie and I finally tied all the knots to our business arrangement. We are daily getting referrals and things are looking up in that direction. I give thanks for friends like sisters and the extra income from that side.

i promise to try and do a daily update but I can see next week will be another crazy week.

My Nephew

I'm the eldest of four, I have a sista. We love and 'hate' each other almost with the same intensity. We were roommates for 3 years in her 4 years in the University. Our roommates Afoju Ekute Meta( The 3 Blind mice) knew in the early days not to get involved in our bickering and never ending arguments about the most ridiculous of things.

If you opened your mouth to say a word in support of either party Max is usually quick to say cos I'm fighting my sista doesn't make it ok for you to say that. She is my sista you know. The fights ends as fast as they start and we can have so many in a day. It was crazy living with us but we had fun. We had some friends in common and some of each others friends we couldn't stand.

We watched me go in and out of relationship while I allowed her to explore and make friends with all sort of people. She even had a friend nicknamed 'stupid' in her 1st year. That was how stupid the guy was and how naive and trusting my sister is. But she made long lasting friends with Koko, Frances, Ima and so many other people who are like our sisters till.

Max got married before me to a very handsome Jay and they have 2 beautiful children. My post is about their 1st child. CT ( Chubby Tee ) He such a sweet heart.I love him to bits. He has a beautiful simile. Today I give thanks for his life. He has a surgery yesterday to remove a ruptured appendicitis. I woken up on Sunday by my phone going off text message. I saw it was a message from Sis wondering what medication to use for CT who was in pain and throwing up. I suggested oral re hydration to replenish all the lost fluid. I also told her to call my broda in law who is a Paediatrician for more consultation. She decided he will stay home with Jay while she goes to church with his Sister.

I called in the afternoon and Jay told me CT was feeling better and was sleeping. I promised to call my sista later in the evening. We were all thankful he was feeling better and agreed it was best to take him to see the GP on Monday to be on the safe size. As the days went by the pain continued and the stomach swelled and CT began to lose weight. GP couldn't diagnose what was wrong. My sista took him to Queen Elizabeth and they were sent home.When things didn't improve they went to Queen Mary he was there for 4 days no improvement nothing.A scan was done which didn't show anything but Max knew something was not ok with her boy. They were then referred to a St Georges a Specialist hospital where it was decided they will do a laparocopy to see what was up inside CT. They opened him up yesterday afternoon and discovered no only had the appendix change position from the right to the left it had ruptured about 2 days ago and 150ml of mucous was suction out of his 31 month old stomach. He is currently in recovery and my sista is feeling better.

Through it all she was strong and kept a positive confession. I give thanks for the Faith of our Fathers. I give thanks for friends like family who help care for Princess while Max and Jay had to be with CT. I give thanks for the Doctors who listened to a persistent mothers plea to check and check again. I give thanks for all the support from family and friends. I'm most thankful for CT's life and the quick recovery he will have. I give thanks to God for he remains the Faithful. HE indeeds honours his WORDS.

Thank you

I cant Think of a title.

Day 6

What have i gotten myself into? Daily post is not easy o.

I feel like i have literally had a new baby. Three of our Abuja staff left Lagos today to resume today. The last of the bunch left about 30 mins ago. I also had to also deliver safely 2 med tech safely. Its being a long tortuous journey to this day. I give thanks for Abuja and I know we will only hear good reports from that end.

I feel very tried and stressed but its a good feeling knowing you are affecting life positively.

I also give thanks for Rose our new Nanny who is starting today. I pray your stay will us will be good and we will all be happy together.

I give thanks for closing time is 5pm. I want to go home and rest my achy feet.

see ya'll tomorrow.

Oh what a Day!!!

Day Four

I was going to put up a post yesterday but Blogger just would not cooperate and I didnt have the patience. I was holding on tightly to the last days of my weekend. The boys are coming abck tomorrow.

I was at a baby dedication in the evening and I give thanks for the gift of LIFE. The newness and the joy that comes with the birth of a new child. Hope that tomorrow will be better. Thank God for new beginings.

Day Five

Today is just one of those crazy mondays. I give thanks for Mondays. Mondays are my favourite day of the week. I feel so much hope and will to take thw world and conquer on Mondays. It's a new week, so much to do , goals to meet, appointments to keep, lives to affect and change. Monday mornings are beautiful morning bright and full of hope.

My boys are home already and I cant wait to see then. Still searching for a replacement and hopefully before the week runs out we will have one.

I give thanks for monday morning.

Thank You

Day Three

I was almost not going to post today cos its just one of those very busy days I have 2 weddings, a meeting with my Boss , hubby to pick up and market runs. I hate going to the market but I love shopping. What an Irony.

I'm having challenges with getting a new Nanny and I work full time but in all things I give thanks.

I'm thankful for Mama next door who has 'adopted' me and my boys.

She has being babysitting for me for about a week. Old man reports at her door just before Dh head for work and Senior Boy joins him there when he gets back in the afternoon. I pack cooked food,sandwiches,caprisonne,2 change of clothes etc etc so we don't over burden Mama. When I arrive to pick the boys at about 6.30 -7.00pm they ready for bed and in their Pjs.

I'm grateful and I say thank you Mama for your support.

I was home alone yesterday.I sent the boys to my Aunt for the long weekend. They are on half term holidays. Dh is in Abuja for work and he's back as I write. The house because twice its size and the silence was so loud I almost went deaf. The bed was strange also cos when Dh is away the boys get to sleep with me but I was home alone. I didn't enjoy the being alone as much as I thought I would.

I'm thankful for my family Dh, Senior Boy and Old man. The noise and the cries they bring into my life. Now DH is back we will have the house to ourselves but I know he will want the boys back tomorrow but I'm not having it they stay till Tuesday at my Aunt. Hopefully by then we will have a new Nanny.

I give thanks for my Aunt. I apprecaite her support and love. I give thanks for the New Nanny wherever you are hurry , my boys and I need you.we cant wait to have you in our lives and in our home.

My Darling Daddy

Day Two

Today I'm giving thanks for the number man in my life( pls don't crucify me but Dh understands). Yes I'm an original Daddy's girl. i love my father I no go lie. He is 57 years old today and he doesn't look a day older that 45. I remember his numerous visit to my hostel in those day and people actually thought he was my 'Aristo'. I have a very close relationship with my Dad and we talk about everything almost everything. He has always allowed us the children to express ourselves. My family is a 'strange' one but in a good way( I like to believe). You are not allowed to talk back rudely but we actually have freedom of speech.

I'm thankful for my Daddy who didn't restrict my intellect but encouraged me to be all I possibly can hope to be. He is still challenging me to do more even till date.

I give thanks for the good example you showed us. You answered most all our questions and showed us we can do it. For the bad examples also I say thank you cos through them we know what to expect and how to react. You are not perfect but I love you the way you are.

For loving my mummy so much even after over 30 plus years and always looking out to make her happy. I'm thankful.

I remember one of the life lesson you taught us , somethings are RIGHTS and others are PRIVILEGES. I had just finished Secondary School in 1993. I made all my papers and I got admission in to the University. We all know the 90's was a period of decay in the Universities. Strikes after Strikes after Strikes. Everybody and I mean everybody I knew was going abroad for their degree programme. I could not understand why my Lecturer father will not see the light and send me to UK or US to school. You simple reason was you could not afford it. Your excuse didn't hold water as far as I was concerned. I bugged him day and night and tried all the tricks in the book.My mother was also on my side and my siblings all wanted to have the pleasure of saying my sista is abroad.

Early one morning at about 5.30a you came into my room and woke me up. Told me to get dress and get into the car. We were going somewhere.My brodas and sista joined us too. I nervously followed as we all got into your Benz 200 diesel. My mum looked on curiously wondering where he was taking us that early in the morning. We drove in silence all the way to Oja Oba right at the Palace of the Emir( I grew up in Ilorin) where he packed the car . Just as the car slowed down to park we were immediately swarmed with men,women and children who wanted to know what services we required. Once he waved them away the lecture started.

He told us those children were born just like us by parents who by choice or fate can not afford to nurture or care for them. He said they were labourers and their daily pay was less than 500 bucks. We all had a choice of getting out of the car and join them if we feel that what he was providing for us as a father was inadequate. He then explained how much he earned as a lecturer and how he can not afford to start something he cant finish. He asked how much I thought a degree programme in UK or US will cost. How he will come up with the money on his salary as a Teacher when he was not feeding aft on government money. he told us it wasn't the University that matter but the drive. What are you going to make out of your life with the resources available to you no matter how limited they are. He told us we were no less disadvantaged by the fact that we were in Nigeria. we just have to make sure we have the extra edge and strive at perfection in all we do.

It was our RIGHT as his children that he provides for us the basic things we need in life shelter, food and education. He however has a choice to be responsible or not. It was however a PRIVILEGE if he decides to send us abroad to UK considering that it was beyond his means or to buy a car for you upon graduation or send you abroad every summer.

I give thanks for that day and for how that changed my perspective till date.

Even as you celebrate today I wish you long life and good health. There is so many more good years ahead and your dreams will come true. You will leave to see many many more of your grandchildren and even great grand children. Happy birthday Daddy.

Thank you.

In all things give Thanks

This is the month of Thanksgiving. The years is fast coming to an end. I'm taking audits and planning for the year(s) ahead. I'm going to be doing a post everyday about all the things I'm thankful for. This is going to be a challenge as it will mean writing a post everyday but there is a lot to be thankful for.

Day One

I got a call yesterday from a friends lets call him Wale. We were both in Uni together. After Law school while all my colleagues were going for interviews in all the top law firms and grabbing all the 'juicy' jobs, I was getting ready to push senior boy out. I felt sad and happy at the same time. I was happy to be a mother but sad and wondering if my career will ever take off . Some folks even commented to my hearing wondering why i was just content with staying home and raising my son while guys who didn't know as much as me were all practising.I asked myself so many questions, will I ever be able to live up to those words I wrote in our class year book when they asked what will you be doing in 15 years, will ever get a job, will I ever 'catch up '?

As soon as Senior Boy clocked One I began to actively look for a job. Wale had 'my dream' job at that time. He was working as a Judicial Assistant to one of the most respected Senior Judges in Lagos State. I tried all I could to get a job as a judicial assistant.I knew I would thrive in that role. The nerd in me will finally hold sway. Reading Law reports all day and researching for precedents. I will also not work weekends and close at 4pm. Most Courts stop sitting at about 3pm anyways.I will be working in Ikeja driving against traffic to and from work. I had it all worked out in my head. But I didn't get the job. It was man know man and I didn't know man enough.

I told Wale then if he ever heard of a vacancy or he ever wanted to leave his job he should let me know. He called me yesterday to offer me his job.He was leaving his Judge , moving on to private practise and was shopping for his replacement. He called to keep his promise to me.

I give thanks for friends like Wale who will keep their words even after about 4 years plus.

I stopped to consider the offer for about 2 hours yesterday but realised that it was coming 3 years late. July 2008 I will be 5 years at the Bar. I on a journey on another road and hopefully all will be well at the end. Law will be there when I'm good and ready and we will reunite like old lovers. You and I forever together but I will dictate my terms not some old Senior who thinks he is doing me a favour for allowing me tutelage under him.

I give thanks for unknown tomorrow, the today I could not see in September 2003. I'm thankful for hindsight, cos now I see that all things work together for my good. I give thanks for Senior boy and for all the joy he brings to my life. Though I didn't get 'my dream job' or work in a top law firm, I'm happy and fulfilled. I also give thanks for the future I can not begin to imagine or phantom.

See you tomorrow for another Thanksgiving Tale.