Sometimes I Just Want My Life Back

Have you ever had something happen in your life that you wished just never happened? Something that you would do anything to change back to the way it used to be. Ever felt like though the way it use to be wasn’t perfect it’s better than the place you are right now?

That’s how I feel today. Oh how I wish I had the life I had just 1 year ago. Just one year ago I was celebrating my 10^th wedding anniversary and couldn’t be happier. I was celebrating my first born graduating high school and preparing for college. I was planning to travel to Georgia for our family reunion to see aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and even relatives that I have never seen before. I was having monthly shop-till-I-drop days, getting the family prepared to travel. I was preparing to celebrate my sister-in-laws wedding, where I had so much going on that I couldn’t afford to be in it. Instead, I was the cheerleader on the side line prepping my husband and daughter for their debut walk down the aisle. My daughter was turning 13 and we gave her the best America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) themed birthday party.  Aintee insisted that we have one for the adult’sJ.I took trips to the grocery store, party store and dollar store to make sure all festivities were enjoyed by all. Boy were those some good times. You know who was there with me every step of the way? "Aintee Connie"

Although she was prepping for things in her life, she was still there every step of the way, with me, during all of my events. Oh I am very grateful to have shared such a fun filled 2010 with her and I know that GOD called her home, but there is a part of me that still wants her here with me.  Many people think a good life consists of fame and fortune and so many strive to get there. I was and still am content with the simple things that life has to offer. I thank GOD that my Mom & Aintee Connie instilled those great values in me every since I was a little girl. I felt my life was as close to perfect as it was going to be. Now it’s really weird to wake up some days and not really care about things that I use to feel were so important. Now, I just live. “Just live” means I do what I please and nothing else really matters because life is too short for all of the hang ups people get caught up in. I have a roof over my head, a husband, healthy ambitious kids, great friends and family. What else do I need?

I really do wish I could have my life back because life is not the same without Aintee Connie. I am also embracing the new life and the new meaning of life to me. I realize that my life will never be the same and I also realize that I have to make the best of the life I now have. I have a purpose in life; we all do and it’s up to us to pray and figure out what our purpose is, to live our lives to the fullest as Aintee Connie did.

Sometimes, I wish I had my life back but I also know that this is the life GOD has planned for me and I must make good on the wonderful life he has blessed me with. Change is good; I just wish it didn’t hurt so much.

A year ago today we lost an extraordinary woman and heaven gained an Angel. We miss you so much Aintee Connie & we know you’re smiling down on us. Keep the energy coming so we can go on knowing we have a true Angel watching over us.

We Love You & Miss You So Much.

P.S. Happy Birthday Auntie Ernestine(Aintee Connie Best Friend/Sister), Uncle Jathan ( Aintee Connie brother), Loni (My niece). I know it's difficult for you all with her passing on your Birthday. There will be a time when we will be able to celebrate with our heads up high. GOD is working on us. Please enjoy your day because you know she would not have it any other way!!

Be a blessing to someone today in memory of "Aintee Connie". We Love You Girl:-)

Do Something In Memory of "Aintee Connie"

Happy Friday Good People!!!

I hope that everyone had a fantastic week. This week went entirely too fast. I often wonder how did I work and maintain my life because even being unemployed I have been very busy!!!

Next week on September 28^th will be the 1 year anniversary to my Dear Aintee Connie’s passing. Even now it’s still so hard to accept that she is gone. As difficult as it is I know that she is watching over us we just can’t see her.  Some days, I just wish that heaven had a phone so that we could check in. Keep us lifted in prayer as we face next week with all of our strength to gather the pieces and move forward. We haven’t quite decided what we will do yet but we will be together as a family. If anyone wants to join us please send me an email. If you can’t join us please do something in memory of Aintee Connie even if it’s to offer kind words, send someone you love a email or a card in the mail, stop by to see someone you haven’t seen in a while, wear something fashionable or something that reminds you of her or simply share a smile as Aintee Connie often did. Whatever you decide, I’m sure she will be pleased. If you would like to share your, “Do something in memory of Aintee Connie” with Connie’s Purse followers please leave a comment or send me an emailJ.

With that being said, I know she would be so proud of this blog and all of the positive things that’s happening in her memory.


 I would like to announce the 50 Follower Diva Sunglass case Winner. Drum Roll………………

The Winner is “GWEN” CONGRATULATIONS GWEN!!! I will be in touch with you so that you can claim your prize.

Thank You all for being loyal Connie’s Purse followers. My next goal is 100 followers and I am well on my way. I hope to be able to share even more of Aintee Connie’s life & the lasting impression she has left with so many of us.

Thank You Aintee Connie for all you’ve done for us. We love you & miss you much.

Fear not tomorrow; God is already there. (Myia)


Until next time let’s live life and love life.

Lakeesha

I'm Back

Hello Connie’s Purse Followers-

I know that it’s been a while but life happens. I have been on a roller coaster like no other.  As most of you may know, I have 3 kids, ages 19, 18 & 14 two boys and a girl. I have been busy with sending the two young men off to college. My family & friends have been so supportive because it does take a village to raise a child and I thank each and every one of you for believing in the boys just as much as we do. Anyone who has sent a child off to college knows how it hits you financially and emotionally, so that was hard on me. We are also preparing to send baby girl off to her first year in High School. As we look back on the time (it went so fast), we know these four years will fly by as well; and we will be sending her off to college next.

So, on top of all this emotional crazy stuff that I was dealing with at home and inside I was laid off from my job a couple weeks ago. Initially, I was shocked and even a little sad and maybe even a little mad. That didn’t last for long once I sent a message out to my family, friends & work family. I received so much love and encouraging words that I could probably live off those messages and emails for the rest of my life. It was at that point that I started to look at things on the bright side: how GOD allowed me those 3 years at that company so that I could spend quality time with Aintee Connie in her last days, meet some incredible people, and I even developed some lasting friendships along the way.

 Sometimes you don’t see things right away you only see a portion of the picture as the painter paints but soon the picture is complete. It’s full of life; you appreciate and recognize the hard work that was put into that portrait.

I thought about the day I found out I had the job. My husband was standing in the kitchen with me so he heard the entire conversation. As soon as I hung up the phone I called Aintee and I remember she said, “Good. Come on down here and work near your Aintee”. She was so excited that we would finally be able to work near one another. So, if I can’t be grateful for anything else, I have to be grateful about the fact that we had that time to share. Nothing lasts forever, it’s the things you learn along the way and the impression you leave behind that matters most.

With that being said, the show must go on as Aintee Connie would say. I am picking up the pieces and designing something new. I am moving forward with the Connie’s Purse business. The website is still under construction. Meanwhile, I will post bags on my blog every other week and they will be available for sale. I am offering purse and jewelry parties as well. Send me an email if you’re interested in hosting oneJ. For those followers out of town I can accept payment via pay pal and ship your” Connie’s Purse” to you.

I’m back, missed you all dearly. I checked my stats from time to time and see you guys were still visiting the site although I had not posted anything new in over a month. I want to say THANK YOU so much for keeping Connie’s Purse goingJ

Last but not least I have some great news to report.  I met my first goal of 50 followers. I ACTUALLY HAVE 51 and I am soooooo HAPPY. The 50-followers-give-away is The “DIVA” sunglass case. I will enter all 51 followers names into the drawing and I will post the winner on Friday. THANK YOU ALL 50 times, I send you all 50 hugs, 50 kisses and 50 THANK YOU MUCH!!!!! I am so excited about my new journey.

Until next time let’s live life and love life.

Lakeesha

Show Love

Happy Thursday!!!

I received this message via text from my childhood friend Stephanie and I wanted to share it. Every word of this is very true and I am so grateful for all of you. Thanks Stephanie!!

One day I won’t be here. One day when you have a problem you won’t be able to call me to ask for help. One day when you want to send me a message I won’t ever receive it. One day when I’m not here I won’t be able to tell you that I love you so much and I cherish every moment I have with you. Never regret anything we did. Regret the things we didn’t have a chance to do because it was too late. Remember all the laughs we got to share and the tears we got to see roll off each other’s faces. Remember all the hugs and air kisses. Don’t ever leave my side when I need you because I will never leave you. -send this to every person in your life that you love just to tell them you love them forever! Real Friends Show Love!

I was so blessed to have an Aintee like Connie and I never imagined my life without her. Aintee Connie gave love and received plenty of love in return. Do me a favor and share the love you have with the people around you. I know that there is enough to go aroundJ

Until next time let’s live life and love life.

Lakeesha

Btw, I am sending some extra love to Miss Paris Connie. I know Aintee would have showered her some sweet Grannie LOVE. WE LOVE YOU PARIS !

Aintee Connie style all the way:)

A Little Sunshine:-)

Hello All-

I thought I would spread a little sunshine today since it’s cloudy out.

Here are a few pictures of Miss Paris Connie (my aunt’s first grandchild) from this weekend. Our family was a little down as we celebrated Ponce (Aintee Connie’s son) & Kyana (my daughter) Birthday yesterday. I know that’s crazy that Aintee Connie & I even shared the bond of having a child on the same day. We really miss her and it’s hard to adjust to not seeing her face and hearing her voice. Miss Paris Connie helped to keep us smiling per these photos.

She reminds us that Aintee Connie is still with us because she look a lot like her.

So Cute:) We love her smile

DADDY'S GIRL!

Until next time let’s live life and love life.

Lakeesha

Don't Forget About You Friday!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Welcome to our 6^th Don’t Forget about you Friday Event!

I get so excited to report in on “Don’t Forget about you Friday”

For the new bees we started, "Don’t Forget About You Friday’s” started about 3 months ago. Every other Friday you have to buy something for yourself and share it with Connie’s Purse followers.  This idea stems from Aintee Connie loving Friday’s and shopping. We will honor her memory by treating ourselves to a little something every other Friday.

This is what I picked up…

I decided to start stocking up on socks. If you notice they have the cutest socks out in the summer when you really don’t need them. Shopping for socks, tights and stockings was something Aintee Connie and I did all the time. My mom is a big sock fan too. That’s right, Aintee Connie had it together even down to the socks she would wear. I really miss shopping with her because she would always find the cutest stuff. I still have the socks that she was wearing the day she passed and I’m going to pack them away in her box that I found. Sometimes in life it’s the smallest things that you do with people is what they will remember mostJ

Connie’s Purse Follower Check In:

Cheryl, my blog girlfriend checked in last week with her purchase from TJ MAX (Another store Aintee Connie Loved) where she found an orange leather purse. Sounds just like something Aintee Connie would purchase. Thanks for sharing Cheryl.

Also, I wanted to share this picture of Miss Paris Connie. This is exactly how I feel today. Enough of this week already!!! She is just so cute and I can't wait to take her sock shopping!!

If you would like to share your “Don’t Forget About You Friday” purchase please leave a comment or send me an email at Conniespurse@gmail.com.

Until next time let’s live life and love life. People will still Love you if you Love yourself.

Our next “Don’t Forget About You” session will be Friday, July 8, 2011.

Happy Shopping!!!!!

Lakeesha

SNEAK PEEK

Hello All & Happy Wednesday!!!

I know that a lot of you are just as excited as I am to see the online store. It is still being worked on and coming soon. Meanwhile, I thought I would give you guys a Sneak Peek at some of the purses that I have. I would like to Thank everyone that attended the launch party and for the great success of Connie’s Purse so far.

Also, Connie’s Purse is launching in Minnesota as my cousin Evette venture off with me as we try and keep Aintee Connie’s memory alive through  sharing the blog, providing nice handbags, and giving back. Thank You Evette for your confidence and believing in what I’m trying to do.

As a matter of fact THANK YOU ALL for believing in me. I couldn’t do this without the love and support from so many of you.

Here are some of the bags……

THIS BAG IS "CONNIE'S SIGNATURE BAG" IT"S THE BEST SELLER!!! I ORDERED IT BY ACCIDENT! I KNOW AINTEE CONNIE DROPPED IT IN MY BOX:-)

 I hope to be able to host purse parties as well as be the person you call when you’re looking for a nice bag to carry.

Also, I am 6 followers away from my first goal of 50 followers. I know that I have over 50 followers but all of you are not officially signed up. Earn credit for the online store by becoming a follower and sending me an email about your favorite bag so far.

Until next time Live Life and Love Life as Aintee Connie did!!!

Have A Blessed Day!

Don't Forget About You Friday!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Welcome to our 5^th Don’t Forget about you Friday Event!

Before we get started I wanted to mention that I am 3 weeks away from starting “Connie’s Purse” on line store. I will be selling handbags, accessories and t-shirts. Some of the proceeds will be donated to heart disease and healthy eating awareness. I am so excited to take this experience and turn it into something positive to help others as my Aintee Connie did for me and so many others. Also, I am happy to mention that my mother Aintee Connie’s twin sister Bonnie will be launching her own childcare business as well this fall. I will keep you all posted just in case you are in need of an excellent child care provider. With that being said, let’s get to our “Don’t Forget About You Friday”!!

For the new bees we started, "Don’t Forget About You Friday’s” started about 3 months ago. Every other Friday you have to buy something for yourself and share it with Connie’s Purse followers.  This idea stems from Aintee Connie loving Friday’s and shopping. We will honor her memory by treating ourselves to a little something every other Friday.

This is what I picked up…

I found these glasses…Guess where? Marshall’s and I love them. I want each of you to come over and have a glass of wine with me at some point this summer and share your special memory of Aintee Connie with me. Email me so I can pencil you in.

Aintee Connie’s friend and C0-Worker Toni would like to share her Friday Goodies with us she picked up…

She said that this dress reminded her of Aintee Connie and as I look back at pictures she did have a dress similar to this.

She also got jewelry. We all know how much Aintee loved jewelry.

Beautiful...

Thank You for sharing Toni. I know that you miss her dearly and we all share that same feeling. It’s still so hard to process.

Since we are on the subject of jewelry my Aunt Ernestine from Minnesota bought Paris Connie her first jewelry box and bracelet.

Aunt Ernestine & Paris

Isn’t it adorable and so Aintee Connie likeJ

If you would like to share your “Don’t Forget About You Friday” purchase please leave a comment or send me an email at Conniespurse@gmail.com.

Until next time let’s live life and love life. People will still Love you if you Love yourself.

Our next “Don’t Forget About You” session will be Friday, June 24, 2011.

Happy Shopping!!!!!

Lakeesha

Meet "Paris" Aintee Connie’s First GrandChild

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

I know that today is Don’t Forget About You Friday and I don’t ever want you to forget about yourself but this week we were blessed with Paris Connie’s arrival and that is a gift that will last us a lifetime.

Paris Connie was born on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 8:25p.m. She is 7lbs, 1 oz. and 20 inches long and my goodness is she just beautiful.

Proud parents Ponce & Kemecha and Baby Paris are all doing well.

Here she is…..

PARIS



Beautiful



Tongue Out Like her Dad

Just seeing precious little Paris was a bitter sweet moment in our lives. It is a reminder that GOD is in control and in the midst of our sadness the blessings keep coming. Thank you all for your continued love, support and prayers for our family. It is greatly appreciated.

We know that Aintee Connie was smiling down from heaven at her new granddaughter. We all know our role in making sure we pass all of Aintee Connie’s great gifts on to our Princess Paris.

Until next time let’s live life and love life.

Lakeesha

Connie's "Classy Cocktail"

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

In celebration of us making it through another week and It’s The Weekend!!

I wanted to share the recipe for "Connie's Classy Cocktail" with you.

Everyone who knew Aintee Connie knew that she loved to have a good time and mix cocktails. My husband and I came up with the perfect cocktail mix in remembrance of “Aintee Connie”. We have them at our events and we hope that you will share one with your family & friends and your next event.

You Will Need: 

Absolut-Berry Acai Flavor

Raspberry Lemonade

Muddled Strawberries and Raspberries

Garnish with Lemon

Mix Absolut and Raspberry Lemonade (For every shot of absolut add 2 shots of raspberry lemonade)

Add Ice and mix in shaker.

Add muddled strawberries and Raspberries in bottom of glass add mixed drink and put lemon slice on side of glass.

Make a toast for Connie and Enjoy!!!

Reminder that next week is “Don’t Forget About You Friday”. If you have items that you would like to share please send me an email.

Have A Great Weekend!!

Go Bulls!

Until next time let’s live life and love life.

Lakeesha

Connie’s Purse Launch Party

I know that Friday was Don’t Forget About You Friday! I was so busy with planning the party and working on my two graduates festivities that I didn’t have a chance to post.

I did receive an email from one of Aintee Connie’s co-workers on Friday Toni to remind me and my heart smiled. It was smiling because she remembered and because like most of us she is missing her “Ms. Connie”.

I have some of the best followers. You guys keep up with the blog and notice when I don’t post and that mean the world to meJ.

I had one of Aintee Connie good friends, Gwen tell me that when I don’t post she read the old ones. Aintee Connie’s other friend Red expressed how much she loves “Don’t Forget About You Friday”.

The launch party was a success!!! We had a good turnout in spite of the rainy weather. I know that was Aintee Connie’s doingJ

We had….

Refreshments…

Scentsy Products…

Then we had…

Connie’s Cocktails

Then the ladies made their way down to “Connie’s Purse”.

We had clutch purses, big purses, small purses, plain purses, studded purses and accessories.

If you would like to see some of the fashionable handbags or have your very own Connie’s Purse Party send me an email. I will have them available via the Web by June 1^st.”Connie’s Purse” has launched and is ready to soar.

After everyone made their handbag selection. We had dessert which included a Taffy Apple Cheesecake and a fruit pizza.  They were delicious!

The evening ended with a great session of Girlz Talk and boy was it juicy.

Last but not least a keep sake Connie’s Purse cookie made by my friend Toyia.

We had a great time Aintee Connie Style. I really miss her and launching “Connie’s Purse” feels right and it’s an unbelievable feelingJ.

 Have a Blessed Day!

Until next time let’s live life and love life.

Lakeesha

I Miss Aintee Connie

I Miss My Aintee

As I started to prepare my blog entry for this week my heart started to feel heavy. I just miss my Aintee Connie.  I feel like I have so much to share with her and so many questions to ask. I realized yesterday that she has been gone for almost 8 months and some day’s it feel like she was just here with me yesterday.

I mentioned in my entry on Friday that the family is finalizing Aintee Connie’s business affairs. Well with the weather breaking we can finally get her head stone down. I would like to share one of the proofs with you guys.  We really like this one but they have one other option that they would like to show us before we make the final decision.

I have my dark shades on today until my heart feels better. I never, ever even imagined my life without her and its just hard to accept.

If I could just have one more stepping lesson, one more hard laugh, one more shop until you drop session, one more cocktail, one more trip, one more Keesha girl, one more after work social, one more Thanksgiving, one more hug, one more I Love You. It still wouldn’t be enough because I would never get enough of my Aintee Connie.

Pray for me and I will pray for you.

I thought of this song for Aintee Connie today.

Dance With My Father-Luther Vandross

Have a Blessed Day

Until next time let’s live life and love life.

Lakeesha

Don't Forget About You Friday!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Welcome to our 4^th Don’t Forget about you Friday Event!

Before we get started I wanted to mention the change in the appearance of “Connie’s Purse” blog.  I am getting prepared to launch a small business called “Connie’s Purse”. I will be selling purses, accessories and t-shirts. Some of the proceeds will be donated to heart disease and healthy eating awareness. I am so excited to take this experience and turn it into something positive to help others as my Aintee Connie did for me and so many others. With that being said, let’s get to our “Don’t Forget About You Friday”!!

For the new bees we started, "Don’t Forget About You Friday’s”about a month ago. Every other Friday you have to buy something for yourself and share it with Connie’s Purse followers.  This idea stems from Aintee Connie loving Friday’s and shopping. We will honor her memory by treating ourselves to a little something every other Friday.

This is what I picked up…

I found this storage box at Marshall’s for $3.99. As our family move closer to finalizing all of Aintee Connie’s business affairs I thought this would be the perfect box to store some of her important documents in. Of course, me & my daughter will have a project night and bling it out first.  I will make sure to show you guys the finished, “Aintee Connie Bling Storage Box”.

I also wanted to share this gift I received from my Auntie Ernestine from Minnesota.

It’s a high heel tape dispenser. I love it!!!  

Our family went to Minnesota to visit for spring break last week. Of course, I have to dedicate an entire blog entry to that because we had such a good timeJ

Last but not least, I would like to share a “Don’t Forget About You” participant find. My Aunt Yolanda found this beautiful hat box that she would like to share with us. It also reminded me that Aintee Connie took a trip to London to visit her brother and his family. I will also dedicate an entire blog entry to that as well next week.

If you would like to share your “Don’t Forget About You Friday” purchase please leave a comment or send me an email at Conniespurse@gmail.com.

Until next time let’s live life and love life. People will still Love you if you Love yourself.

Our next “Don’t Forget About You” session will be Friday, May 13th.

Happy Shopping!!!!!

Lakeesha

Please visit these fabulous blogs to which this is linked.

I Love Pretty Little Things
Just A Girl

New Editions to Our Family

I am pleased to announce that Aintee Connie’s first grandchild is due any day now. Our family is so excited!!! Guess What? It’s A Girl!!! My Aintee Connie’s only son Ponce and his significant other Kemecha are expecting

"Paris Connie" on May 20^th.

My mother Bonnie (Aintee Connie’s twin) can’t sit still. She is so anxious and ready to help in any way that she can like she always does. Ponce is her big baby. I will keep you guys posted and pray for Paris Connie’s safe arrival.

This is Kemecha & Paris Connie

That’s not it!!!

My husband surprised our family this weekend with a new Puppy. At first I wasn’t so excited because I was thinking about the expenses and the hard work it takes to have a dog.

Here he is….

Alfred

He is a miniature schnauzer 5 months old and we named him Alfred.  After seeing this cute little face and 5 minutes of cuddling I am in Love and so is our daughter and the boy’s. Our oldest son who is away at college can’t wait to get home to meet Alfred.

We know that Aintee Connie’s watching over us. Although nothing can ever replace her but these added blessings gives our family some hope that there will be some happy days again and it’s a reminder that we have a lot to be thankful for.

Until next time let’s live life and love life.

Lakeesha