Good Afternoon Hempstead Family!

Today is the last blog for the year...boo hoo. I just want to say thank you to all who participated and viewed the blogs. It was a pleasure interviewing you all and receiving positive feedback also.

My blog is late today because I was at the fabulous Graduation of the Class of 2020! So I want to tell you how relaxing, encouraging, and awesome it was to see all those "drive-by" Grads!.

I thank God for each and every one of them, for the sunshine, and beautiful weather. I enjoyed cheering each graduate on. Some were somber, but that didn't stop us from telling them to smile, wake up lol, and good job! Once they saw how excited we were for them, it put a smile on many faces. We rejoiced with those who rejoiced as well!

Big shout-outs to all those who decorated the campus with signs, the student's pictures, balloons, and much much more! Many put in untiring hours of planning and it all paid off. If I start naming names, I know I'll leave someone out so....EVERYONE DID AN AWESOME JOB!!!

I know this is a year NO ONE will ever forget! Our graduates pressed through in spite of COVID 19, racial tension, lost, sorrow, and so many other things to get to this day. Our prayers and best wishes go to them all, their parents/guardians, family, friends, and loved ones.

Special Shout-out goes to our Mr. Kadeem Davis and his bride on their wedding day. Congrats!!!

Well folks, that's it; enjoy your summer. Though this blog has ended we can still remember our theme: Together Let's Climb! God bless you all!

Good Morning Hempstead Family!

Today I thought I'd do something a little different. So many of us are living alone because of all different reasons. Maybe our families live outside our home or maybe we don't have a family. Maybe the kids are grown and on their own. Maybe....it is what it is. Stress can still be a big part of a single person's life like anyone else. BUT it doesn't have to ruin our lives. There are MANY THINGS we can do to relieve stress! Yessssss!

~Breathe and count your blessings! Think of things to be thankful for because someone else always has it worst than you.

~Use your creativity! Write, draw, paint, sing, play an instrument, color, do puzzles, think of a new ideas, decorate the home, plant a garden, reorganize a room, or create a blog lol.

~Focus your attention on something else. Help a neighbor (safely of course), call a friend, write a letter to someone, support a charity, - the list is endless how to keep your mind off your problems and help someone else.

~Give yourself a break! Talk positive, get dressed and make good use of the day. Pamper yourself because, yes, you deserve it! Write 3 good things you LIKE about yourself.

~Surround yourself with positiveness. Listen to uplifting music. Talk to positive people. Watch uplifting encouraging movies and TV shows.

~Be a part of a group (safely of course). Churches, community organizations, and support groups can be very helpful in coping with stress and many have online services. Of course choose very wisely.

Well family, I hope these tips help someone and I love you all. Tomorrow is the last day so until then - RELAX!

Good Morning Hempstead Family!

Today's interview is with one of our very own teachers at the Hempstead High School, Mrs. K. Scarles. She offers many tips on how to cope especially with the kiddies.

Her words:

To help cope during this stressful time I have been working out daily, going for walks and bike rides around the neighborhood with my two children. I have also been spending time cooking with my children. We have used Pinterest to find interesting desserts or meals then make them together. My children really enjoy spending the time together with me doing something we would not have time to do before. It is extremely important to find time to laugh together and be intentional with our time together.~

Yes, Mrs. Scales, spending time with family during these stressful times is a treasure. Well family, two more days! Stay turned for tomorrow's TLC!

Good Morning Hempstead Family!

Today's Interview is with one of our very own teachers at the Hempstead High School, Mr. B. Coleman. I asked him how does he cope with stress during this time and he said that he likes to read, enjoys listening to music, and practices transcentental meditation.

I looked up this type of mediatation and found it is a techingque which is a form of silent mantra mediation developed by Maharishi Mashesh Yogi. The meditation practice involves the use of a mantra and is practiced for 20 minutes twice per day while sitting with one's eyes closed.

Well family, there are only three days left to spend together sharing how we are all coping during this time. Stay turned for tomorrow's tip/trick and remember Together Let's Climb!

Good Morning Hempstead Family!

 I hope you had an enjoying relaxing weekend. Today's interview is with our very own teacher from the Hempstead High School, Mrs. K. Williams. I really enjoyed her interview because she shows how helping others unselfishly gives joy to the giver.

Her words:

I enjoy letting my eleventh grade son take me for long drives. This relaxes both of us as he is an excellent, experienced, well trained driver.  

We visit family and loved ones which include my 80-year-old parents and mother-in law. I shop for their food, supplies and deliver it to them.  It brings me joy to see my loved one's faces from a distance and their appreciation for the goodies.  

During my alone time, I pray, meditate, and binge watch "Little House on the Prairie."~~~

Ah, there's nothiing like family, nothing like helping others, and nothing like watching Nellie Oleson get beat up by Laura Ingalls (Little House On The Praire show). Oops did I say that out loud lol?!

Well family, until next time, relax!

Good Morning Hemptead Family!

Today's interview is from our very own Hempstead High School teacher, Mrs. S. Morris. She gives us multiply tips how she copes during these stressful times. I was truly amazed at her resourcefulness.

Her words:

In my spare time, I'm doing more leisurely reading.  I love autobiographies and biographies.  I finished Misty Copeland's and now I'm finally reading Taraji Henson's book.  Michelle Obama's book is on my list to read next.

When this George Floyd murder happened,  I went back to start reading again, a book called,  Inheriting the Trade, about a rich white family that through their ancestry research found out they were African slave owners, and that was the reason why they were rich.  

Lately, when the poetry slam came up, I started organizing my poetry that I have written over the years. and I have been moved to write poetry again, as a reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement. 

During the pandemic, to relax, I have been cooking much more than I usually do. I've been experimenting making different healthy smoothies, and baking such items as: Sweet potato pie, apple pie, banana nut bread, and brownies with walnuts.  My own children are grown, so I haven't baked regularly like this in a long time. Even last Thanksgiving, I bought desserts.  I did not make them myself.  So, that's it.~~~

Well, I don't know about you but after Mrs. Morris interview, my mouth was watering! So family, get your books, pies, and pen and Together Let's Climb!

Good Morning Hempstead Family!

Today's interview is with our very own Mr. M. Higgins, Guidance Counselor at the Hempstead High School. His words are a great example of using this unusually period of time to reinvent yourself!

His words:

When I do have down time I continue to shoot as a freelance photographer. Also, I have after 20 years, begun to paint again.  The passion to do so has returned.  Staying at home has allowed me to reset.

I love it! Take the sour lemons and make lemonade. Stay turned for our next TLC and Relax!

Good Morning Hempstead Family!

It's a pure pleasure presenting these tips/tricks to you each day. So far we have learned of many inexpensive, simple, and easy ways to just relax (ahhhhhhhh). Today I bring to you another of our very own teachers from the Hempstead High School, Mrs. A. Mena.

She said she enjoys walking, gardening, playing music, and bicycling! These activities really help her to cope during this stressful time.

It's amazing just how talented our Hempstead Family are! The weather has been so beautiful for those leisurely walks and bicycling so come on, let's get moving! There!is nothing like a change of scenery to  uplift your spirits. Don't forget the suntan lotion!

Until next time - enjoy!

Good Morning Hempstead Family!

I hope that you had a relaxing weekend. Today I present an interview from our very own teacher of the Hempstead High School, Mr. T. Chapman. He shares with us his realities of coping during this pandemic and how he is yet keeping positive through it all.

His words:

"This season was filled with both joy and sadness. I lost a childhood friend and other acquaintances due to the virus. But much of those times were balanced by the joy of having family around. We spent many days reflecting on our God given purpose.  I will cherish these conversations. They not only strengthened me, but I was then able to encourage others who were going through a difficult time. 

Activities that keep me grounded in this trying time includes, going for walks in the neighborhood, exercising, and meditating on the biblical scriptures and prayer. This is where I draw my strength from especially when uncertainty arises."~~~

Our hearts go out to so many who, like Mr. Chapman, have similar stories of lost. In spite of it all, we can find comfort in a simple walk, a family talk, a time to pray, and strength today. So don't forget - Together Let's Climb!

Good Morning Hempstead Family!

As we get ready to enjoy our weekend I wanted to give you a tip to get you started from our very own teacher of the Hempstead High School, M. Hopkins. She is a very jubilant person so it was a joy to interview her.

Mrs. Hopkins states: To help with the craziness, I’ve been taking my dog for a long walk in the morning. I try to walk between 1.5 and 2 miles. In the evenings, I’ve been riding my peloton. Working out helps me to de-stress and focus on my mental and physical health. I also enjoy playing outside with my two boys. It’s great seeing them laugh and getting to make memories with them is amazing!

Thank you Mrs. Hopkins, all our readers, contributors to these blogs. Enjoy your weekend and RELAX!