Hey Pumps and Glossy ones,

God willing, next week this time, we will be en route to our Thanksgiving destination, cooking up a storm, and/or getting ready for the Turkey day football match-up.

I recall a former classmate whining about feeling forced to spend time with her family and friends. She wanted to control how often the family gathered together. I told her to take it for what it was that if people wanted to get together for major holidays, then deal with it another way. Stop all the whining!

As we were reminded over the weekend, family and friends should not be taken for granted. I know that many of us make sure we connect with our loved ones.

We have a lot to be thankful for. In our daily devotionals, Mr. Maven and I thank God for our blessings. There are times in life, when everything is not what we want it to be, but God continues to provide.

What do you have to be thankful for? My friend LH and I were talking about how God has strengthened our Faith because sometimes we do things that we did not intend to do on a specific occasion like give an extra offering, helping out a student, church member or neighbor in need. God continues to provide and we are thankful. For example, one of my “aunts” told us about how she helped a friend who needed money, she gave the lady all the cash she had. She was happy that she could help her friend. She was reading her Bible and she found the exact amount of cash that she gave her friend. She is not sure how the money got there!! Wow, what a praise report!

So as we see, we all have something to be grateful for. Even if you are not a particularly religious, that does not exempt you from being thankful. Keep a Grateful or Thanksgiving journal. You will be surprised at all the things you have to be thankful for.

The ladies of Pumps and Gloss wish all of our wonderful readers a wonderful, fun and safe Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Mix Maven 

Happy Wednesday Pumps and Gloss-ers,

I am very excited about the Red Sox World Series win. Mr. Maven and I used to live in the Greater Boston area and we like to think that our presence in the region helped to turn the Red Sox and Patriots into winning organizations. Boo hiss to the Celtics and Bruins. My local teams are far superior to them.

I found this cute picture of future Boston Red Sox fans on Boston.com

New Englanders are very passionate about their sports’ teams, which means the ladies must be just as attentive to sports as the men.

I was out with my friend, LH, on a Sunday. Her fiance called in to check in with her, during his weekly football game. [That is love ] So she was resigned to the fact that her honey will be unavailable for 16 weeks plus playoffs and Super Bowl. Actually, the games are scheduled for 17 weeks (34 days including Monday Night Football and some Thursday nights) and all teams get a bye (rest) week. Thank goodness he is not into the NBA because the post-season is about 3 months. Saying all this, ladies, you must join in the action, every now and again.

Mr. Maven is fortunate that I like sports, I do not watch often because of various factors, but I enjoy keeping up with my fave teams.

Here are some tips for learning sports:

1. Watch Pardon The Interruption on ESPN. This show is one of the funniest shows on the TV. Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon are Washington-based writers that decided they needed to be on television. They also discuss popular culture topics i.e. American Idol and other popular shows.

2. Find a cute player on the team to cheer for. One of my favorites is Tom Brady. He is definitely yummilicious. I have followed his career from his time at Michigan to the New England Patriots. In football, it is helpful to check out the buttocks. Now, if your man likes hockey, the players do not look good on ice, but they clean up well.

3. Read books about the sport. Some of my friends recommend:

Get Your Own Darn* Beer, I’m Watching the Game!: A Woman’s Guide to Loving Pro Football by Holly Robinson Peete

4. Try to limit questions during the game. Take notes and ask your hubby on Tuesday. He will be pleased and will do chores around the house without being prompted.

5. See Tip 1. One cannot get enough of ESPN.

I hope these tips will help you learn more about sports and enjoy with your spouse or significant other.

Have Fun,

Mix Maven

Happy Wednesday,

I realize that all artistic geniuses are troubled, which explains Kanye’s frequent rants and why sonme artists consider suicide as cure all for personal angst. (Mental illness should no longer be ignored!)

Saying all that, Kanye West was a good sport for doing the skits on Saturday Night Live of his obnoxious ranting and raving. The best quote of the skit, Kanye storms the podium lambasting the children for voting for “Drake and Josh.” He screams, “how’s kids gonna get taken seriously, if they keep making bad choices. I used to believe the children were our future, but f*** that!” Too funny!!!

You all need to cop [if you have not done so already] (are people still saying cop), “Graduation”. Kanye’s sound is not formulaic compared to other mainstream rappers, he fuses hip hop and reggae, alternative sounds even has Chris Martin of ColdPlay singing the hook to one of his songs. I enjoy this album, the current standouts are “Champion”, “Good Life” with T-Pain, the MJ sample of “PYT”, which the Ladies of P&G are certified members of this exclusive club, “Everything I Am,” a heartfelt anthem about being different in the rap game, and the heart wrenching, “Bittersweet Poetry,” which features the vocal stylings of John Mayer. (The first time I heard this song, I did not realize JM was on the track.) This angst-laden song laments a complicated love affair. Mayer croons, “I don’t want you, but I need you/I love you and hate you at the very same time.”

Can’t Tell Me Nothing

Good Life

Bittersweet Poetry

Joyful Radiance, not an avid SNL viewer, decided to watch the season premiere. Her favorite parody of the night was “High School Musical 3: Return of the Seniors.” She told me that she fell off her sofa when she heard LeBron sing, “On second thought/ I think I’ll stick around/Play a little ball/And have sex with your girlfriend.” She does not want anyone to know that she will be watching more often. That is our little secret. (Shhhh)

Have an awesome week

Mix Maven

P.S.

Sexual Carob has recommend some “toys” for me to try. Will report when I return from my anniversary excursion.

Happy Monday Glossy Ones,

Happy October!  Is it me or is the year flying by?  Don’t get me started on how quickly summer passed us by.

 MONDAY MELODIES

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Rihanna and Ne-Yo team up for “Hate That I Love You.”  Say what you want about these two, but they are making big things happen.  I am a little disappointed by Ne-Yo’s new video, “Can We Chill” – the song is cool, but I was expecting more.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=fmX9ci9Fczw]

Mix Maven and I were just saying how hot this song is and then I came across the video on Yahoo Music.  Here is the one, the only, Kayne West (featuring T-Pain) with “Good Life.”

Speaking of Yahoo Music, I loooove their Urban New Releases Radio Station.

STARBUCKS

I am not a coffe drinker, but when a dear friend of mine wanted to get together at Starbucks, I did not have the heart to say no or let’s meet somewhere else.  I mentioned to Sensual Element that I was going to Starbucks and she told me to try the Hot Apple Cider.  Mmmmmmmmmmm, it was SOOOOO good!  I had the Blueberry Coffee Cake and had a sample of the Iced Lemon Loaf.  I see why people are so addicted to Starbucks – great atmosphere, good drinks (even if you don’t like coffee), WiFi, and sweet sweets.  I am officially addicted. 

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I encourage each and every one of you to get involved.  The American Cancer Society is sponsoring walks in every major area during this month – get out and walk, donate to the cause (every little bit helps) or eduate yourself on this disease.  My Mom and I walked in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk last year and this year, we will be walking on a team that was started by a lady at my church.  My husband and I also walked with church members this summer at the Susan G. Komen event.  Let’s rally together to make a difference Ladies and Gents!

Even Bath and Body Works is getting involved by selling the C.O. Bigelow Shine For Life Mentha Lip Tint.

You can even eat to help the cause!  Yoplait has been promoting the Pink Lidcampaign for awhile now.  Buy Yoplait yogurt, save the pink lids and mail them in by December 31, 2007. 

Hopefully there is a Tanger Outlet in your area – they are selling PINK SAVINGS CARDS for $1.00.  For $1.00, you will receive a 25% off coupon to be used in one store in the Outlet Center.  Buy as many cards as you want to use in as many stores as you want.  Great deal for a great cause.

JOY’S BOOT PICK

The last time I did a boot pick, I showed an Aerosole boot.  Well, here is another Aerosole boot that has caught my eye.  I love the studs on the Lane Squeeze.  It also comes in brown leather.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

Before I met my husband, I knew nothing about football.  Since he played football in high school and college, his brother played in high school and college, and their mother was their biggest cheerleader, I found it best that I learn the basics of the game so I wouldn’t be so bored at family dinners.  Hubby taught me the basics a few years ago and now I am a football junkie – College and NFL.  Right now, I am going to talk about College Football very briefly.

Before I start,  if you need to know the basics, go HERE.

What in the world happened to Oklahoma, Alabama, Alabama State, Michigan State, and Texas??????  This was an unbelievable Saturday.  While I have love for Northwestern, Michigan cannot afford any more losses this season.  Glad that Michigan, Alabama A&M, and Purdue did their thing.  I know I am leaving some teams out, but I did say “very briefly.”

MONDAY PRAISE

This song reminds of Sunday Morning.  Here is “Jesus Is Love” by The Commodores.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=A7WW9uLKr0E]

This song always gives me chills – whether it’s Richard Smallwood’s version  or Whitney Houston’s version.  Here is Whitney’s version of “I Love The Lord.”

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=r6GNWxjlIkE]

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  ~ 1 Peter 1:8-9

Although we can’t see him, let us look for him in others.  Have a wonderful week!

~J.R.

This Sunday, May 13, is Mother’s Day. You are probably running around town looking for a more than suitable gift for your mother, grandmother, or that special lady in your life that has become a mother figure to you.

Here are some of my favorite gift ideas.

So your mother needs to take more time for herself. Well, you can help achieve this goal by getting her the Origins Totally Ginger Gift set. Also, throw in a gift certificate for the local day spa.

Ginger is said to soothe the stomach, treat inflammation and lowering cholesterol. Ginger is also super good in curry chicken!

My next pick is for the ballers among us i.e. Joyful Radiance and Sensual Element. If your mum likes the finer things in life, give her the Manolo Blahnik Pony Hair Campiby Open-Toe Mary Jane Pump.

This shoe is dyno-mite. This 4-inch pump will leave the men drooling, the ladies jealous, and your daddy happy.

If your mother is very spiritual, she will enjoy the Bouquets of Hope. This book is a collection of stories written by women for women. One story is about a woman who was healed of an illness before her surgery was to take place. This book will give her hope. I would also suggest that you sneak a gift card to the spa or to her favorite store along with this book.

If your mother is a music lover, she will enjoy the music of Rhema Worship and Praise , The Experience. I am stumbled on this album from a MySpace page. I was searching for Londa Larmond - she sings and writes on this album. This gospel choir is based out of Toronto, Canada. Heard the music on Londa’s page and I bought it that day from Apple’s iTunes. This album has been a blessing to me. I love the majority of the songs and I know she will enjoy the songs too.

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I am not feeling the “Pop Lockin’” for Jesus stuff, but you know I am old school, even though I am 23. (Why is Joyful Radiance rolling on the floor laughing?)

Sidebar: Tom Brady, my ex, decided to restructure his deal i.e. gave up some scrilla, so that the New England Patriots could acquire Randy Moss from the Oakland Raiders. Now that is taking one for the team. I know that in a few years he will renegotiate with the Pats, and they better pay him what he is worth because he is going to have a child and baby mama, and that is not going to be a cheap endeavor. He has many a mother’s day presents to purchase in the near future. (Only Mama Maven will understand this!!)

I know you all love your mothers, so continue to treat her with love and the utmost respect. Always keep the stories alive, your children’s children’s children must know of the strengths, joys, and sacrifices of your female ancestors.

Shout Outs:

I want to send a Happy Mother’s Day to Soul Star, all mothers and grandmothers of the Pumps and Gloss contributors, Yummy411 (I know you want a MAC gift card), and a honorable mention to Joyful Radiance. She has got the sweetest dog, of course, I am the godmotha.

Remain Blessed,

~Mix Maven~