Daddy's Girl

Daddy’s Girl

I have always been a Daddy’s Girl and darn proud of it. You see I’m a lot like my Daddy.

16-25 years - A number of people can quote me when referencing men,“I don’t have time for boys who play games; I have a REAL man in my life: My Daddy! If you can’t do better than him you can keep it moving.”  I’ve lost count of how many guys I said that too. I’ve also lost count of how many times I turned down jewelry and gifts because “the only jewelry I wear is what my Daddy gives me. If you want me to wear yours start with a ring.” I didn’t date guys that I didn’t think I could introduce to Daddy. Even the “bad boys” (bad for me, lol) I brought home were Okayed (of course later I’d find out that as long as I liked them Daddy would).  I’d find myself saying my Daddy would never do that, when one of my guys would do something I considered unthinkable.  I had to realize there were a few unthinkable things I had done myself...  I’m a lot like my Daddy.

Let’s fast-forward to today, three years later, I am 28 and a lot has changed. I’ll start with what remains unchanged: I’m still a Daddy’s Girl (always will be and darn proud of it) and I still only wear gifts of jewelry from my Daddy. What’s changed: I’ve come to realize that My Daddy isn’t perfect and I can’t ignore that for the rest of my life and I can’t hold him on a proverbial pedestal while waiting for Mr. Right to knock him off.  I also will not fault my Dad for being “Daddy the human” instead of “Daddy the god.”

Back to seeing myself in my Daddy, I now keep a notebook of characteristics I see in my Dad that I don’t want in a husband. Surprisingly, I now recognize behavior and characteristics in my Mommy, as a Wife, that I need to emulate for my future husband.  Amazing what happens to viewpoints as we mature in life. It kind of flabbergasted me. Definitely not an “Ah Ha” moment I ever expected to have.  

Believe me when I say that’s some Tough Titty!!!

~Zahra Aprili~

Casualty of Love

Casualty of Love

Taking a risk in love is inconceivable after 30. Or is it? I have discovered that in any relationship reciprocation is no guarantee. I can be expendable at any moment and after any amount of time. Do we all have different definitions of love and searching for the few whose definition of love mirrors ours? I am most interested in the opposite sex, but this applies in all relationships. I understand that we depend on the degree of honesty of someone outside of ourselves and within ourselves. We must first learn to be honest with self before we can truly be honest with others. It could all be so simple but it seems when it appears to be right, he has to make it hard. Dating today (it may have been like this yesterday too, but I am just now getting into this thing) seems like a battle of the sexes. The only battle I want to take part in with you is one that we are on the same side and the challenges of life is the only enemy we have to conquer each year and forever. I do not want to fight, battle or be at war with you. I love so hard that I get high from it. It makes the fall hard to bear and recover from. I am truly a casualty of love and that is some TOUGH TITTY!

A.Marie

Come on Congress, Politicians!!!!!!!

Come on Congress, Politicians!!!!!!!

Are they not in office to represent their constituents that voted for them and therefore empowering them to hold the offices to which they occupy? I am confused because at the moment our representatives in Congress are fighting for the gain of their political parties and not the best interest of their constituents. I welcome differences in thought but with the common agenda of doing what is best for the greater good our Country. It is unacceptable to be willing to let the Country go the Hell in the name of progressing the agenda of a party. Maybe, I should not blame Congress? WE THE PEOPLE (VOTERS) OF THE UNITED STATES must not allow our action to stop with a vote but to hold our Representatives and Senators accountable to us by writing letters, attending meetings when they are home and showing-up in their offices. It is clear to them that we hold the fate of the political careers in our hands. Let’s become proactive and show that we know and understand it, too. The alternative is to suck-it-up and sit back while the rug is pulled from beneath each of us. After all, the blood is on our hands … It can or cannot be some TOUGH TITTY!!!!

A.Marie

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day

There was a time that I was so against the retail motivation and principle behind Valentine’s Day, along with the superficial mentality of entitlement that came with it, that I wore black that day in protest. It is funny how life happens and we learn and grow (hopefully).

In my learning and growing, I learned the background of Valentines’ Day and Saint Valentine. Which ever piece of written history (written is not always the actual truth*) you believe regarding Saint Valentine and the creation of Valentine’s Day, lets go based on what it represents or symbolizes. Much like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day we celebrate our parents every day or at least we should, but we set a side one day in May and June and collectively celebrate all Mothers and Fathers. My point is, that I love love in every form and if there is a Day that we collectively celebrate intimate and or romantic love, I am definitely going to be a part of that. 

Today it is too easy to think about getting out of a relationship. With all of the stress from our microwave society: over worked, under paid, bills totaling more than income, tragedy and just plain life, love and the many expressions of it, tend to be absent or neglected. I may not buy elaborate gifts or prefer to receive them for that matter, but darn-it I am going to make this Day special just because half of the World is pausing to acknowledge LOVE, how potent is that?

Historic expressions of Valentine’s Day have been a man giving to a woman, but love IS love. If we are truly going to celebrate love, it has no color or gender so express your love today and every day to your loved ones, but lets all come together in celebrating love in grandiose style on this chosen day. Love is never … Tough Titty!


Sending you all positive energy for love to flow … Spread LOVE! It is free and the return on it makes you wealthy!


~AMarie

Curfew ... Really?!?!?!?

I was in Atlanta a few months ago and spent some time with a dear friend. During a heart to heart conversation, she mentioned that she and her ex-fiance' had curfews. That statement actually threw me for a loop. remember this is a dear friend, so I did not hold my tongue, I asked questions;

"Why?", "For what purpose?", "Was there any distrust or insecurity?"

The reason I am writing about this is because I have heard it too many times for my comfort in the months since that conversation. A spouse imposing curfews on their grown significant other, for reasons that make me wonder if instead of a curfew, they may have simply needed to find another mate has me quite perplexed.

I usually do not concern myself with what is going on behind the closed doors of others, especially when it is not hurting anyone, including those involved. I guess when cities across the Country pass ordinances for curfews on teenagers; there are adults out there that secretly wish for a vote on an all-city/town ordinance, so they will not have to impose one on their spouses in the same way that parents prefer the city, town, or school to partent their teenagers (Hmmmm? ... A subject for another Day's post). Go figure?

I just wonder if the underlying issue that is being masked or insignificantly curbed by the curfew is ever addressed? If so, when the real issue ... cheating, insecurity, alcoholism, immaturity or irresponsibility is unveiled after the curfew fails it will be some TOUGH TITTY!!!!!

~A Marie

From the Desks of A.Marie and Zahra Aprili

Welcome to 2011: The start of a New Year and Decade! We, Zahra Aprili and A. Marie, want to send you positive energy and support to help you to become a better you as we become better. We hope that the words we pen in this blog inspire you to become a part of the solution of creating a better and more loving home, community, city, state, country, world, universe and milky way.

As we embark into the New Year, we place emphasis on the importance of active sharing and encouragement; realizing it’s positive and healing effects as it has nurtured our friendships and relationships. When reading we challenge you to take steps towards embracing the real, the positive and the truth in you, while eliminating their counterparts.  Tackle and face self for that is some ultimate Tough Titty !!!

Thank You for joining us in this dialogue. You are welcome to participate in the conversation and invite your friends to do the same! We want and appreciate hearing from you. We acknowledge that what is real and true for some, is not for all – our personal coat of arms influence and inform our individual opinions. Remember that as we share our thoughts, ideas and concerns that they are strictly from our point of view and do not reflect the ideas and viewpoints of our affiliates. 

With that said, we want you to know that we truly cherish and appreciate the insight and challenges you give us with your, often thought provoking, ideals, views and opinions and though we may disagree at times as a community, LOVE will trump all! Understanding that love is kind, understanding, considerate, respectful and DIVINE … Lets make it contagious … Spread Love!

Zahra Aprili & A. Marie