Authentically Nita

January : I started the year off at an RMA networking event at the Pyramid Club. I could have sworn I would be doing fabulous Banker stuff all year 🤔 ....2020 had other plans. The World Health Organization announced on January 9th that a deadly coronavirus had emerged in Wuhan, China.  Then, on January 26th, Kobe Bryant, his daughter, three members of the Altobelli family, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester & the pilot all lost their lives in a ass helicopter crash. It was devastating news and the entire country mourned.  February :  For Valentine's Day I got some beautiful roses from Vaughn. I love flowers so much and red roses are my favorite!  My grandma wasn't doing well in February and we spent a lot of time at the hospital.  On Feb. 24th Harvey Weinstein was convicted rap and sexual abuse which started the #MeToo movement.  I paid little attention to this, because on Feb. 24th, my grandma passed away.  March :  I was so heart broken when my grandma passed. I know s

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your Christmas Eve was amazing.  I was so exhausted by the end of last night.  I had planned such a fun time, but two of my daughters weren't speaking when we started. Then my mom hurt one of my daughters feelings. Another one was being rude to her sister for no reason. I tried to pull it together with some board games, but one daughter was shut in her room and another left to go upstairs after Clue. I have three daughters and the third one was so hurt by her sister's rudeness she started crying. My mom was starting to feel a little down after that.  The pizza came around this time and I pulled out my phone for a game of Heads Up! My son sat this one out but I was okay with that because the had participated in everything,

I knew it.  All the signs were there.  This man flipped the script so fast!  We were just in love and planning on starting our business so we could really build something.   Ex had enrolled in school and began classes.  Soon after, he started going out without me.  He was staying out really late.  At family events he sat in a corner with his face in his phone texting and smiling instead of talking with the guys.  I wasn't stupid.  I confronted him and he denied any wrong doing.  I waited up for him so many nights.  The bars closed at 2:00 am.  Sometimes he didn't make it home until 5 or 6.  He said he was at the "after hour."  I called him a liar.  I argued with him every day.  I bitched and yelled, and he wouldn't tell me the truth.  I tried talking and reasoning with him, but he wouldn't tell me the truth.  I had to find out on my own.  So I did.  After only three months of marriage Ex was cheating on me.  He was cheating on me with a girl from North P

Family Photos Pumpkins our children made Pumpkin I made :) Costumes My 14yo was this creepy Clown for the costume contest at school. (I did the make up).  My son was a shadow My youngest daughter was Cleopatra I was Queen Nefertiti :-)  I didn't have time to make the part that goes around the neck. But since we live in Philly and a sweater was needed, I think this one was a good pick. I made the headpiece myself.

The Delaware River Waterfront has always been one of my favorite places to take the children. I've always loved Festival Pier. Any weekend in the summer you can find crowds of people gathered there to enjoy free concerts featuring a variety of artists, from well known celebrities to local up-and-coming artists. Penn's Landing also has a spectacular fireworks display. (Penn's Landing is our side of the water front; named to memorialize William Penn's landing). Penn's Landing is my go to spot when I want to chill, and take the children out at the same time. It's laid back. There's live music, cocktails, a skating rink, boat rides, games, hammocks, food and fountains to cool off in. I enjoy it. There's always something going on their. They have tons of events  in the summer, so check it out.  Swan Boats Penn's Landing Marina, by Neal Santos  Paddle Penn's Landing Program at the Marina, by Matt Stanley.  Yoga on the Race Street

A family of black bears take a swim in a New Jersey family's pool. (The little girl in the video sounds so adorable). Video Below.  

On February 28th we took a trip to my husband's hometown of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Before we got there, we stopped at Waffle House in North Carolina. It was the first time that I ever went to a Waffle House. The staff was friendly and service was good. The food was excellent. My daughter had a Peanut Butter Waffle, which I had never heard of, but it was delicious. Peanut Butter Pancake Coffee to go :) Once we got to South Carolina, we stopped at South of the Border. It was raining so we didn't stay too long. In Orangeburg, there were Palm Trees all down the main street. The weather was beautiful. It was a nice break from the cold weather in Philly. Russell Street The first person we visited was my husband's best friend. He gave us some apple flavored Moonshine. We passed Captain D's. I haven't been there since I was a kid. There's no Captain D's in Philly. We did stop at Orange Mall to look around. It's rather small

This afternoon I experienced the scariest moment of my life. My son was missing. His sister had detention & he tried to take the subway & bus home by himself (this was at 3:30pm). He got lost. By 7pm we still could not find him. I felt my heart sink & it became hard to breathe. I didn't know what else to do. I didn't know if he was scared, or safe, or hurt. Then at 7:06 Tim got a text saying our son was home. I was so relieved I started crying. Reed was crying too, and he was scared, but he wasn't hurt. My son was missing for 3 and a half hours and it was the worst thing I've ever felt in my life. That being said, I am asking again that everyone share this link. This is our niece, Puff. Her real name is Janteyl and she disappeared in Feb. of 2010. Everyday her mother, father, sister and brother wake up with a piece of them missing. We all do as family, but I'm sure they feel it most. Her parents have missed; the birth of her first child, her pro

Place of Interest: SEPTA Transit Museum Location: 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 - 3:00 p.m. This SEPTA Transit Museum presents the heritage of Philadelphia's transit system. Children can look at display models, transit memorabilia, and photographs. They can also pretend to drive a trolley. This is an actual 1947 trolley, not a replica. It's pretty cool. This is the part my children like the most. When my oldest was little we'd stop here every time we went to Center City, just so she could drive the Trolley.

Place of interest: Christ Church Burial Ground, Historic Christ Church Location : 5th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia Hours : Mon.-Sat. 10am until 4pm, Sunday 1pm until 4pm Benjamin Franklin's last resting place is located in a burial ground belonging to Christ Church. Benjamin Franklin died in 1790, and he was buried with his family in the north west corner of the burial ground. His wife Deborah and their two children are also buried there. The burial grounds were not opened when I went there, which was cool for me. I don't see myself stepping foot into a graveyard. I've never visited anyone's grave. Eventually I'll get over that. Like, maybe if my parents die or something like that. ...I guess.