I'm pretty sweet most days, however, this time of year seems to bring out the real softy in me.  I often think about the good ole days when during my childhood when we laughed out loud all of the time. 

Even though we lived below the poverty level, all of our basic needs were met. Who knew love, sweet potato pie, and red kool-aid was all we needed? 

I feel blessed that my mother, Hattie Mae encouraged belly aching laughter in our home.  I pray you and yours are creating fabulous memories the ones my five siblings and I created all those years ago. 

What Christmas memories are you creating? 

Merry Christmas to you and yours, 

As always, I'm rooting for you. Learn more about me

My Christmas ask is for you to review my YouTube Christmas Wish video and LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to my channel.  

Gratitude is my watchword during this season of Thanksgiving.  I'm grateful for the laugh out loud experiences as well as the over the top scary ones we've endured over the past few months.  It seems that we are being set up for something marvelous in the near future and for that I'm grateful!  

I'm grateful that my back, butt, gut, and mind are all stronger than they were this time last year. I'm grateful for an active life, working limbs, and just enough excitement during this Thanksgiving season.  I'm learning to take it all in and clear my calendar from the many itty bitty activities to the experiences that give me life. 

I'm grateful that my favorite teenager is finding his footing. I love him from my soul even though he's as hard headed as a box of rocks. I count among my gazillion blessings that of being Ryan's mom as the tip top of the top top! #winning

I grateful for the opportunities that are presenting themselves to us.  

...

November 11, 2018 is the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as “Armistice Day.” In 1954,  Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

As a reminder, Veterans Day is day set aside to honor men and women who served in one of the branches of the US Armed Forces during both peacetime and in times of war or military conflicts. We honor men and women in every military specialty to include those who deployed to a foreign country as well as the men and women who remained stateside during their time of service. I'm grateful for every single veteran,  whether they served for 30 days or 30 plus years.  The point is they are part of the less than one percent of our great nation who has served and each one is indeed a military veteran. 

The Armed Forces includes all five branches;...

Memorial Day or Decoration Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is currently observed every year on the last Monday of May, will be held on May 28, 2018. The holiday was held on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.

Presidential Proclamation No. 7315 of May 26, 2000 (65 Fed. Reg. 34907) proclaimed Memorial Day, May 29, 2000, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as the time to join in prayer and to observe the National Moment of Remembrance

 On Memorial Day, I honor

Major Dwayne Williams, who perished on September 11, 2001 in the Pentagon. 

,

Staff Sergeant Lillian Clamens, who perished on October 10, 2007 in Iraq

and Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason, who perished on November 28, 2007.

Who will you honor at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day 2018 during the National Moment of Remembrance?

 Angela...

Wishing you and yours the peace that you desire and work to attain. Love, hope, encouragement, and support for you won't fit in a box. You can't put a bow on the values you hold so dear. However, your values and how you treat others and define how others treat you is the  greatest gift you can give this holiday season.

Be Blessed!

From Team Odom

I am grateful for the men who choose to live their lives as positive examples for my son to follow. You are truly appreciated.  

Sometimes I notice my son paying attention to influential men. I imagine in his mind he is determining what characteristics and skills he wants to emulate.  My 12 year old is a spiritually based, kind, verbal, intellectual pre-teen who possesses a keen spirit of discernment.  

Rest assured that all of his material needs such as food, shelter and creature comforts  are met. He is a confident young man, who has a personal spiritual relationship with God.  He understands morally right and wrong at the level you would expect a pre-teen to understand.  I see him becoming more and more independent and responsible each day.

It is quite amazing to watch his transformation baby to toddler to preteen.  Realizing that the next 12 years will fly by just as fast as the previous, I choose to be more intentional about the influence I...

Since the founding of our great nation, we've stood on the shoulders of the few troops who've served, fought and died for us.

Memorial Day is a time we pause to honor our nation's war dead.  It is indeed a privilege to be an American citizen and therefore know and experience liberty. I was born in the late 1960's under the watch of the Vietnam era veterans who were drafted; meaning they did not volunteer to serve in the US Armed Forces. We experience liberty because of them and all of the brave men and women before them who've served, fought and died on foreign soils and within our borders.

During this article, we will not debate:

• Whether the wars and conflicts were justified, won, or conducted above reproach
• Whether the wars and conflicts were in accordance with the constitution
• The character of those who burn American flags and effigies
• The legal rights of those who choose not to stand when the National Anthem is played
• The number of people wishing to immigrate to the...

It's Mother's Day and I miss my mother.

In the USA, Mother's day is celebrated the second Sunday in May. It is a day where we honor maternal bonds, motherhood, and a specific woman who nurtured and cared for us.  

Mother's day is celebrated in over 40 countries.  Instead of saying 'hello' and 'goodbye' we greet women in kindness by saying 'Happy Mother's Day'.  I realize that it's kinda crazy to assume that most women have nurtured a child at some point in her life.  Early in the month of May we begin to to see retail reminders of Mother's day and begin to hear references of Mother's day on social media and in our social circles. 

During this time of the year, I tend to retreat to a place of lack and loss.  I seem to focus on the current feeling of being physically without my loving Hattie Mae who died six years ago.  Intellectually I understand that focusing on the fact that she was an amazingly loving, caring, attentive nurturer adds more value...

May your intentions manifest for your greatest good!

Angela M. Odom

Shout out to folks who love, love, love this time of the year.

Some folks radiate goodness and kindness (now we all have our ups and downs). They are intent on lifting others and living positive lives. They know it's not about how many church services they attend, it's about having a personal relationship with their God. My Christ filled Facebook Friends range from bible toting, scripture quoting ministry leaders to folks who are quietly talking to their God on a daily, weekly, monthly and / or annual basis.

I am a Christian all of the time. I am not concerned with whether you think I am Christian enough or religious enough. I am enough; destined for greatness and unapologetic.

Real Talk: Christmas Day is in a few days.

Many people are putting a lot stuff and things on their credit cards. They are trying to impress, influence, or persuade someone that they care or that they have more dollars than they really do.

Don't get me wrong, I will purchase a few gifts, however I will not...