Greetings Sistahs,

As many of you may know, Hurricane Gustav is brewing in the Carribean just off of the coast of Haiti. As you also know, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans three years ago this Friday, August 29th in 2005. My family is currently making preparations for an evacuation in case Gustav heads this way. Please keep the citizens of the Gulf Coast in your prayers.

Peace & Love!

Today I am another year wiser. I have been an "active" member of this network for about 8 months and the wisdom, support and love of the Sistahs here has definitely helped to make me a better person. Again, thanks to you YMIB Sistahs and a special thanks to Sistah Soulliving for birthing this space.

Peace and Love!

Greetings YMIB Sistahs,

My Princess recently turned five and I noticed that her bottom teeth became spaced. Not long after that, she informed me that her two bottom teeth were loose. It seems like just yesterday she was a babe in my arms and now she's about to start losing her baby teeth. With that, comes the childhood lie: the tooth fairy.

My Princess' father and I agreed that our daughter would not be raised to believe the childhood lies that we grew up with: Santa Clause, the tooth fairy, the Easter Bunny and others.

My dilemna is that my FAMILY will undoubtly make comments about the tooth fairy to my daughter along with the "ritual" of placing the tooth under her pillow in expectation of money upon awakening. I do not wish to go on with this charade. Family members will agrue that "it's all in fun" or that "there's no harm" in having her believe these lies, but I don't agree.

Have any of you had to deal with this issue with your families? How did you deal with it?

Ase'!

Greetings YMIB Sistahs,

I wanted to share the wonderful event I experienced today. I participated in the annual MAAFA commemoration that takes place in New Orleans every first Saturday in July. The word Maafa (also known as the African Holocaust or Holocaust of Enslavement) is derived from a Swahili word meaning disaster, terrible occurrence or great tragedy.The term refers to the 500 years of suffering of Africans and the African diaspora, through slavery, imperialism, colonialism, invasion, oppression, dehumanization and exploitation. I had participated in the commemoration several years prior to the hurricane and this was my first after Katrina.

All participants dress in white and meet in Congo Square. Congo Square is the "sacred grounds" in New Orleans adjacent to the French Quarter. During slavery when our ancestors were given one day off on Sundays, they would meet in Congo Square to worship, dance, drum and fellowship in the ways that they had in the Motherland. There's a large and beautiful oak tree that's at least two century years old that still stands with numerous branches where many ceremonies are held.

I am free...

I am getting more free everyday....

Nearly nine years ago, I released myself from the creamy crack...

Nearly nine years ago, I released myself from eating like a slave...

Many years ago I released myself from the bonds of spiritual patriarchy....
...the GODDESS lives.

Soon and very soon, I shall be liberated from the plantation....called the "school shyt-stem"...

I have the freedom to come, go, parent, dance, sing, worship and breathe as I wish...

I have released myself from living for others......

I have released myself from "the world"...

I have released myself from living for tomorrow but relishing the moment right NOW!!

I have released myself from looking, speaking, thinking, behaving, and BEing like everyone else!!!!!

Being free is a fine way to be!

Sistahs,

There are many up and coming changes that I am planning along with the Most High, Sacred Ancestors, and Spirit Guides. I will keep you all posted on these changes in the coming weeks. Some are a bit drastic, some are not but all are VITALLY necessary......such is life! Time to get some SPICE back into my life.

Infinite Blessings Sistahs!

~I affirm that I am a divine wombman who lives a life of courage, adventure and bliss that most dream of!

Sistahs,

Well, for the second time in two years, my blessed angel didn't come forth. Only the Creator knows why, but it doesn't stop my heart from being broken. In just 11 weeks, I had so many hopes and dreams for this child but tomorrow is another day. I thank the Creator for my nearly 5 year old Princess and am so grateful for her every minute of everyday. Today I hugged her tightly and told her I loved her as I gently kissed her ~ this ultimate reflection of my husband and myself.

Peace!

Sistahs,

With Earth Day on the horizon, I had been thinking of other ways to help protect and preserve Mama Earth. This November, I plan to use cloth diapers on my newborn seed as opposed to disposables that take years to break down in landfills. Once my moontime resumes, I plan on using reusable sanitary napkins as opposed to disposables. I was wondering if any other Sistahs here use them whether to save money or to protect Mama Earth. How have they been for you? Which brand do you use or do you make your own? How long have you used them?

Thanks in advance for responses to this very personal issue.

Peace and Power!