Where we are.

Posted on by JustAskMaia

Hello my loves. I have not been blogging as of late because everything seems to be on a whim right now and completely unstructured. If you think your life is hectic, try running a business where you are consistently running other peoples businesses while maintaining your household, homeschooling, packing, and self evaluating simultaneously with 9 children and NO schedule! Ugh. it is literally a madhouse around here. I can’t ever find what I am looking for until I am no longer looking for it but have moved on to looking for something else. Dinner often slips my mind and we wound up eating out, which I absolutely hate. and sleeping in has become a staple for my sanity however I am usually abruptly awakened by screaming hollering babies and children whom have clearly lost their minds because they are running through my house. I oftentimes, lately, feel like I am in a prank reality show.

But alas, all is not doomed. We recently bought a house, in case you did not catch the memo on my personal social media. I have started taking classes on the side to further advance my platform for Rush Consulting Firm, and we have finally closed our Social Services case so no more back and forth to court. That alone was a weight lifted off of me and McRush because though it was not the path we chose to take, we took it in stride. Sometime soon we will be back in court to further finalize the decision for good. I am sure I will get a lashing from family but, you cannot please everyone so, I digress, I only know how to do what I feel is best and have prayed about. (If you have no idea what I am talking about, red back some and you will be filled in.)

Homeschooling.

Homeschooling the RushBunch is still exciting and new everyday. On my extra hectic days we choose the Montessori approach. I always have what they should be learning for the day, usually the week, and they have to work together as a unit to get their works completed. However, I cannot wait until we move into our new home an get situated so we can get back to class as usual. I am trying to convince McRush to paint the wall in chalk paint in the classroom. I don’t believe I am even considering such a task. Years ago I was adamant on not doing such as thing as I felt it would promote writing on wall. But alas, I have evolved. I lift my wine glass and shout, “write away children! Write away”. It is really something how you watch your children grow and evolve only to realize your own evolution in the end.

Speaking of evolution, McRush and I have found ourselves on a new Spiritual journey.

Life really has a way of making you reevaluate life. I love it and I am excited for the growth. I won’t be keeping you updated because (shhhh) there may be a book. I may post a question to ponder here and there for general purposes so be ready to have a discussion.

-Rush

mengirls

I never knew.

Posted on by JustAskMaia

Hello Gems!!!

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted and a little more than that since I had a rant but….here it goes.

Did you know that I was not light skinned or skin, or skint (smh). Apparently a few women whom deemed me unqualified to speak out for people, my people, because I am brown skinned and therefore I am somehow in a category that places me in a realm of privileged.

Now, I do not necessarily refute this but being an entrepreneur I have not had to endure this in the working world. A young lady posted about light skinned people basically carrying their privilege around with heads touted  in the air  proudly. I made the mistake of commenting on her post stating that we need to stop allowing the divide within our race and stand together. I gave an example of my cousin and the trauma she went through and ultimately spilling my own beans out of frustration and bewilderment as to how they just did not get it. Well, let me tell you, these ladies had a field day demeaning my complexion (or my thoughts of it) as well as my character, views, intelligence, etc. I looked on in amazement that the fact that I was speaking in unity and NOT dark skinned was an issue. I HONESTLY do not know how what I was saying was taken so far out of context in a matter of minutes. Now, I LOVE my extra dose of melanin people, their complexion is so very beautiful to me but these particular ladies attitude… straight horrible. I never one time demeaned anyone or their views, I was even agreeing with them but please do not get it twisted, I am still black. I was raised to not speak to people in a manner I did not want to be spoken to. This conversation had my heart beating so fast and my palms sweaty. Why do we scream out BLACK LIVES MATTER yet continue the divide within our own race? No. One. Else. Does. This. Not like we do. but we want equality and justice but we continue to rob, kill, and destroy one another. We cannot even respect ourselves to stand united. What are we going to do with equality? Yes I am aware it exists but don’t blame me for it. I did not Write a memo to God stating I will only go to earth if you make me…..smh.

So, I open up the dialogue for advice and conversation. I am posting the conversation below. But first this:

“You must use the dark skin slaves vs. the light skin slaves and the light skin slaves against the dark skin slaves” -Willie Lynch

post on facebook: ‘Okay so I’m still mad, how does a person deal with opression everyday and then still fix their mouth to say someone else’s opression doesn’t exist because it’s one form they don’t experience? I’m calling out all light skin people, do fucking better. If I catch you I will come for you, with all of the fury I have stored in this short fluffy body I swear!’ (I left the typos intentionally as to not tamper with her words)

My (along with everyone else’s reply. ( I will try to remove names because I do not want anyone confronting these ladies because they are still my sisters)

Me:

Maisha Rush 👀 the biggest problem, in my opinion, is how WE as black women choose to seperate our struggles! We are all black no matter what the complexion. We all have issues that we shouldn’t have to go through but intead of supportinng one another we try to demean one another in attempts to exemplify how our light skin isssues are bigger than our dark skin issues and vice versa. I watched as my dark skin cousin was constantly told that she was pretty for a dark skin girl girl. Meanwhile I was being rejected because I was so called light skin and proceeded to have a nasty attitude by thinking I was better than someone else. I have seen the problems from both spectrums and her problem was not bigger than my problems and my problems were not bigger than her problems, but collectively WE had a problem as black women. There is too much division. Smh it is time out for this, like literally, we are being killed in drones and here we sit sulking and complaining about complexion issues. #PettyMinds
Like · Reply · 2 · 11 hrs

 

Hide 51 Replies
Ebony Murphy-Root
Ebony Murphy-Root ‘Both sides’? Nah
Like · Reply · 5 · 11 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush ????? My point exactly. You’re focusing on a statement I made that you do not agree with instead of seeing my point… smh. I digress. You’d rather be argumentative than objective. We have to do better.
Like · Reply · 1 · 11 hrs · Edited

 

Ebony Murphy-Root
Ebony Murphy-Root Maisha Rush So does racism go ‘both ways’ too?
Like · Reply · 5 · 11 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush Nope. Black people aren’t racist, they are defensive.
Like · Reply · 1 · 11 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush We can only be biased in reference to the initial comment I made.
Like · Reply · 11 hrs

 

Ebony Murphy-Root
Ebony Murphy-Root Maisha Rush Same with dark-skinned black women.
Like · Reply · 5 · 11 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush I get that. I cried with my cousin. Defended my cousin. FOUGHT for my cousin. I get it, hell, I almosted hated light skin people in the midst of it. It is sad. I love her melanin, even more than she did. Our relationship was cut off because she one day decided to hate me too, even still not loving herself. So yes, despite your opinion, I have seen the pain from both spectrums ( light vs dark).
Like · Reply · 1 · 11 hrs · Edited

 

Ebony Murphy-Root

Ebony Murphy-Root Maisha Rush There is no ‘both spectrums’.

And colorism is not the result of ‘low self esteem’ and ‘even still not loving yourself’. I can understand why she stopped talking to you though, if this is how you talked to her. Would you be friends with a white person who told you racism was a result of not loving yourself enough? Can you truly not hear how obtuse that sounds?

Unlike · Reply · 10 · 11 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush What are you even talking about? I’ve never once mentioned how I spoke to my cousin all I did was uplift her and encourage her and tell her how beautiful she was and how she didn’t have to listen to the things that people were saying about her. I only speak now about knowing botj spectrums because I seen the pain that she went through and I know the pain that I went through and my bottom line is we are black women, we need to uplift and encourage and Inspire one another learn to be there for each other. I have no idea what you THINK you read but I impore you to re read. I never said one was better than the other or she should not feel the way she felt after suffering the name calling. I just reminded her. How beautiful she was. She will even tell you that. Tje reasom she atopped talking to me is because she could not see past the pain and she apologized to me for that. So please do not come for me because you misinterpreted what I said. All you had to do was ask for clarification instead of attacking my opinion.
Like · Reply · 2 · 11 hrs · Edited

 

Heather Lovechild
Heather Lovechild *rolls eyes at folks who purposely miss the point*
Like · Reply · 7 · 11 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush Furthermore it would. Seem you are being argumentative for the same reason. #JimCrow got us by the balls.
Like · Reply · 1 · 11 hrs

 

Kio Shaala Sapey
Kio Shaala Sapey I agree with you coming from a 3girl household with 3 extreme variations of skin tones. Thank good my mother called out every ignorant comment directed and it taught is to love our differences and embrance them. ❤
Unlike · Reply · 2 · 11 hrs

 

Ebony Murphy-Root

Ebony Murphy-Root Maisha Rush LOL I’ll take definition B

Ebony Murphy-Root's photo.
Unlike · Reply · 2 · 11 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush @ Heather Lovechild I totally agree. However society says otherwise. I have been arguing about it all my life. But thanks for the verification.
Like · Reply · 2 · 11 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush Getting tired of being told I am too light to know the real struggles but too dark to reap the privileges.
Like · Reply · 2 · 11 hrs

 

India Camille Viguerias
India Camille Viguerias Sigh lightskin privilege is a thing, it has nothing to do with being “division” just as much as talking about racism isn’t divisive. Being too light doesn’t bar you from jobs. It doesn’t make you a target for violence among other things. You will lose nothing by confronting your privilege to help our darkskinned sisters in their struggles. Light skinned people are told they think they are better because of their light skin, dark skinned women get compared to animals and insects and dehumanized completely the struggles aren’t the same. Just like it’s not the same when a black person calling a white person cracker as the white person say the n word.
Unlike · Reply · 14 · 10 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush Thats what everyone thinks (referring to jobs) but plenty of my friends (purposely taking myself out of the equation for aforementioned reasons) who did not get a job because they were black. Regardless the complexion, you are still black. Thats what they see. The biggest division in the color scale is our own. But you are correct, affirmative action would pull the lightest brightest
Like · Reply · 1 · 10 hrs

 

India Camille Viguerias
India Camille Viguerias Again it’s been proven that if they believed you are mixed you are twice as likely to be hired then those who don’t come of as such. Your reply is Ill informed
Like · Reply · 6 · 10 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush My reply can’t be ill informed when it is my experience and opinion…
Like · Reply · 1 · 10 hrs · Edited

 

Andrea Seals
Andrea Seals Erm pardon me for interrupting but uh Maisha.. you ain’t even light skint. 🤔
Unlike · Reply · 5 · 10 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush Andrea Seals I am aware of that and have already stated and agreed. However I have not always been this tanned and I was speaking of my younger years. Thanks for the dig though…. smh
Like · Reply · 2 · 10 hrs

 

Andrea Seals
Andrea Seals I think we need to start remembering there is the third category of being brown skint. 😂 Not being dark isn’t automatically light. Seems to happen a lot lately.
Like · Reply · 8 · 10 hrs

 

Andrea Seals
Andrea Seals Not a dig I promise.
Unlike · Reply · 4 · 10 hrs

 

India Camille Viguerias
India Camille Viguerias Lmao opinion can be ill informed look at white people. They also voice from their opinions and experience, due to their privilege they are also more like to miss judge the severity of an issue.
Unlike · Reply · 9 · 10 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush I promise I did not come on here to argue (or be reminded I am not light/dark) just voicing my opinion like everyone else.
Like · Reply · 2 · 10 hrs

 

India Camille Viguerias
India Camille Viguerias So duly noted
Like · Reply · 2 · 10 hrs

 

Ebony Murphy-Root
Ebony Murphy-Root Andrea Seals Yes, but there is being dark and ‘not dark’. Being ‘not dark’ is the privileged category for skin color.
Unlike · Reply · 6 · 10 hrs

 

Andrea Seals
Andrea Seals Definitely Eb. Dark skint here. Lately just too many folks love claiming light when it’s not true. Even looking at the 4 of us here, India is the only one actually light skinned. The rest of us would all be “dark” because people are too lazy to think otherwise. But you and I actually are, Maisha is somewhere in the middle. All relative.
Like · Reply · 5 · 10 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush How bout we work together so its not a privilege category. It seems I am being attacked because I am brown skin and now know no struggle.. my initial comment was said to say we have to unite ourselves so we can stand together instead comments were made inside and outside of this post about how I was not light skinned to which I never said that I was. I believe that is a big problem because instead of unifying we are still dividing. But thats fine, maybe not you and me. But one day we will. Be blessed my loves.
Like · Reply · 1 · 10 hrs · Edited

 

Andrea Seals
Andrea Seals No ones attacking you for being brown. We don’t care, you’re brown. Just stating the right category lol. Have a nice day.
Like · Reply · 3 · 10 hrs

 

Rachel Chance

Rachel Chance Her problems are bigger than yours, when she is at an increased risk for abuse and discrimination. You’re being ignorant, stubborn, and obtuse.

It isn’t about separating struggles, but acknowledging the nuances of oppression.

Like · Reply · 8 · 10 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush I have 9 children of every complexion and I will disagree because when I moved to a new neighborhood when I was younger I was beat up everyday for being lighter. My daughter used to Come home crying because people would tease her because she isn’t black. You beautifully melanates sisters don’t know my stories. Being gang raped and called white girl. Not being dateable by dark skin men because I cannot connect with the struggle. Light and brown skinned girls get it too.. When I said her problems were not bigger than mine and vice versa I meant in the realm of coming together and not pointing fingers at who has it worse but what we are going to do to make it better. Instead I got this. Name calling. Its time we understand one another. Grow from there. Unite from there. Thats all. That was all.
Like · Reply · 1 · 10 hrs · Edited

 

Andrea Seals
Andrea Seals Some folks do this shit on purpose to make themselves the victim. 😑 I don’t even bother anymore. Can see racism but colorism… no speaka da English.
Unlike · Reply · 12 · 10 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush But do see it everyday. Every single day. I choose. Not to play victim, but fight and build and uplift. I take no pity and I offer none. Thats why I started my business to help black people have their own so we are not subject to scraps.
Like · Reply · 1 · 10 hrs

 

Rachel Chance
Rachel Chance Your exceptional experiences aren’t representative for the majority.
Like · Reply · 4 · 9 hrs

 

Rachel Chance
Rachel Chance No one is saying you can’t experience oppression. We’re saying dark skinned women have a bit harder, and the stats speak for themselves.
Unlike · Reply · 7 · 9 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush Not a bit harder Rachel Chance a LOT harder. A whole lot harder. I never refuted that. All I was saying was instead of increasing the divide by pointing out who has it worse which ultimately results in conversations much like this thread, we bond toget…See More
Like · Reply · 1 · 9 hrs

 

Andrea Seals
Andrea Seals The marginalized are not the divisive ones. The ones who wanna keep their privilege, are. They don’t get to be comfortable at our expense. Interesting since the OP is doing her part, checking her privilege while calling out others then you come along trying to get her to stop doing the right thing? Ok den.
Unlike · Reply · 11 · 9 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush I never did though. I understand you are angry at the injustices, but what did I do? Say we need to stand together as sisters and fight for one another? That was th only point I made. I speak at functions, I rally and protest. I have been in meetings with government officials, non government officials, travel speaking on the injustices but to you guys, because I am not dark skin, I am no better than the enemy? I did not ask to be born this complexion or this race. I can fight for US just like any other brown skin person can. Who says I never stopped someone from using their privilege? some of you made an assumption from my face and barely bothered to read my words. At no point was I creating a divide, calling people out of their name, or telling someone they were wrong.. it was unity all along but I guess I cannot call for unity.
Like · Reply · 1 · 9 hrs · Edited

 

Lacey So
Lacey So Heather Lovechild, I was about to say the same thing. She’s not even light skinned……
Like · Reply · 4 · 9 hrs

 

Andrea Seals
Andrea Seals Now you’re just making shit up LMAO stop calling us angry anytime we speak up. If anything, my comments are snarky at the most. Now you think we are calling you the enemy? You just wanna be the victim here while claiming you are above that mentality. I’m gonna go enjoy my Saturday, enjoy yours and cut the bullshit please. Stop using words like unity and division in these discussions when you ain’t about the former and the latter is gaslighting.
Like · Reply · 5 · 9 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush Andrea Seals what did I make up? I never called *US* angry…again taking words out of context. I was talking to you directly about being angry about the injustices as we all are. You are making it to imply I am just calling black women angry and I wasn’t. Please do enjoy the rest of your day. I apologize my comment went left. It was never my intention.
Like · Reply · 1 · 9 hrs · Edited

 

Tisha Tyacke
Tisha Tyacke You sound like a poor white person who doesnt understand they have privilege too
Like · Reply · 5 · 9 hrs

 

Rachel Chance

Rachel Chance Pointing out colorism isn’t “increasing the divide.” The divide IS colorism. How is confronting the problem the issue to you?

When has pretending problems don’t exist ever been the solution? Dark skinned women are hurting, and they are rightfully angry… and we have people telling them they are the problem. Tuh. We all should be angry.

Unlike · Reply · 12 · 8 hrs · Edited

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush Tiffani Dowell where did I go wrong?
Like · Reply · 1 · 5 hrs · Edited

 

Tisha Tyacke
Tisha Tyacke ^your very first sentence sis
Unlike · Reply · 4 · 5 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush Thank you Tisha Tyacke not sarcastically either.
Like · Reply · 1 · 5 hrs

 

Tisha Tyacke
Tisha Tyacke No problem. It was problematic from jump. It definitely rubbed me the wrong way. We live and we learn 🙂
Unlike · Reply · 3 · 5 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Andrea Seals
Heather Lovechild
Heather Lovechild Makes a post about problematic light skints. Problematic light skint hops on with tears
Like · Reply · 12 · 11 hrs

 

Ebony Murphy-Root
Ebony Murphy-Root Always
Like · Reply · 3 · 11 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Maisha Rush *but I’m not light skin*
Like · Reply · 10 hrs

 

Heather Lovechild
Heather Lovechild Nah. You aren’t.
Like · Reply · 4 · 9 hrs

 

Tisha Tyacke
Tisha Tyacke Typical
Like · Reply · 3 · 9 hrs

 

Chantal Monique

Chantal Monique Come awn. My mom and sis are darker than me. My mom is black skinned. I know DAMN well/ my light skin was/is a privilege. I’ve suffered from discrimination and oppression- but not like them and not in that area. I KNOW- ignorant folk think I’m “safer”. I saw it. I saw their pain & it’s not my job to compare it to mine. My job it to be their voice. My job is to use my privilege.

I cannot understand why some light skinned folks wanna complain about “I got picked on for being light.”

My FAMILY- picked on me for being light. And SO?? So what?? What the hell?? How does that really hurt me/ besides hurt feels (as a little girl).

I feel like it’s a game of oppression olympics. Some of us have privileges that others do not. Just admit it – do what you can to help & hush about the woes – regarding being “lighter”

*ROLLS EYES*

Like · Reply · 4 · 6 hrs · Edited

 

Mae West Washington
Mae West Washington Not at all!!!
Like · Reply · 2 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Write a reply…
Heather Lovechild
Heather Lovechild Also, she ain’t light skint either. Lmao
Like · Reply · 5 · 11 hrs

 

Ebony Murphy-Root
Ebony Murphy-Root Not at all
Like · Reply · 4 · 11 hrs

 

Heather Lovechild
Heather Lovechild When colorism is so firmly rooted that she attempted to convince folks she was light
Like · Reply · 1 · 8 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Write a reply…
Sharon Wood Thorndike
Sharon Wood Thorndike I am definitely aware of my “light skinned” privilege and try to always be mindful of that. I ALWAYS check assholes as well that ever DARE have some negative shit to say about my darker hued brothers and sisters!
Like · Reply · 6 · 9 hrs

 

Constance Johnson
Constance Johnson goodness. I’ve seen thin people tears and NOW light skin tears. I’m getting off before I see able people tears and white people tears
Like · Reply · 11 · 9 hrs

 

Heather Lovechild
Heather Lovechild Man I saw the thin tears about an hour ago. I had to walk away from that
Like · Reply · 3 · 8 hrs

 

Constance Johnson
Constance Johnson so disgusting. no one wants to admit their privilege. always pointing fingers and we’re all one, and we all have problems, see i’m just like you, i don’t have privilege, i have to suffer too. just shut up! everyone has problems, but people have privileges too
Like · Reply · 6 · 8 hrs

 

Heather Lovechild
Heather Lovechild Right. Girl I’s is tired
Like · Reply · 5 · 8 hrs

 

Maisha Rush
Write a reply…
Mae West Washington
Mae West Washington I see it to often dark get played to the left for light shit. The moms from fresh prince, how Paula Patton is glorified for being light, but Meagan good still have to prove herself. I’m light and I see how most dark skinned women a treated as if she isn’t as sexy or beautiful and I’ve always noticed it. I hate it I’m tired of it and as long as I breath air I will stand up for my dark skinned goddesses because y’all/they deserve it. Our race deserve it.
Like · Reply · 1 · 2 hrs

 

Shanythia Cook
Shanythia Cook Marginalized people can still be bigots.
*End of post*
Sigh. I am so confused and this negative energy had my vibes all off. I was angry all day. I cannot even with some people, I  wasn’t mad at the name calling, even though it was childish and showed lack and inability to have a grown conversation without attitude I was mad at the fact that they could not look past my complexion. Like you took an OPINION and turned it into ‘tear Maisha Down day’. But some will say I am again trying to play the victim but for those who know me I, that is not even in my DNA, like foreal, don’t touch me, don’t sympathize, nothing.
What are your thoughts? Do you think I spoke incorrectly or am I just expecting unity too soon, because THIS, this is not it.
*decided to leave the names, they may want the fame.
-Rush
me002

Day two

Posted on by JustAskMaia

Today was harder than yesterday. I had to sniff dinner for a slice of mental satisfaction. I am light headed but I think that is all in my mind because there have been plenty days where I have inadvertently eaten way less than these smoothies and celery. I will admit that I have had a bit more clarity- when I am not thinking of food. Oh my gosh, a whopper right now though! I would like to add that, even though I know your weight fluctuates on this challenge, I am still going to take pride in the fact that I lost three and a half pounds in one day. My detox tea I ordered from Amazon will be in tomorrow too, apparently I was supposed to have some on hand before starting but better late than never right.

I was able to come up with a few financial plans for myself and family. My goal is to help as many people as I can build a foundation of generational wealth, whether it be from starting your own company or investing/saving. I have decided to get back into multi level marketing, or mlm as some may know it. I had my eyes on this one venue but I have been introduced to something else so now I have to make a decision…or do I? I have no problem with multiple streams of income especially when I can afford the initial start up cost which for some companies can be astronomical. I will keep you posted as to which ones I am looking into and choose. I have no problem passing on information.

As far as homeschooling, today was pretty basic, I actually let Te’ teach the children their math essentials and number recognition. He seems to make it more fun than I do so I may have to start paying him for his services and hire him on Tuesdays. I have also come to realize that my children absorb knowledge better in the evenings. So, I will now be teaching them in the evenings after they have played out all of their energy. This also works in my favor because I have decided to give social media a rest for awhile so I can focus on good old fashion foot work. Yep, I am getting out and hitting businesses face to face. I am a little nervous because while this is nothing new to me, I have a direct goal to meet by November so I have to be more firm and not so passive which is hard for me because I am a big ol’ softy. You can pull on my heart strings with a sneeze.

I think that about covers it for today.

-Rush
image

 

Family vacation my FOOT!

Posted on by JustAskMaia

So I have been off of here for a few days and there is so much that I would like to share with you guys, my thoughts, interactions, and goings-ons, that I am going to have to post a few blogs tonight just to catch up.

Let us start with this “family vacation” we have recently gone on……..

I do not even know where to start but let me first say that whoever came up with the term FAMILY vacation was obviously delusional in every aspect of the matter. At no point during our trip to Myrtle Beach did I feel or have the remote inkling that I was on vacation. There was nothing that I did that said vacation. I will admit though that everything said, family.

We were blessed to be able to get a room for a very reasonable rate that had a kitchenette in it. There was a pool right outside our door and the beach was like a 45 second walk. The customer service was awesome. The keep was exceptionally pleasant and I even messed up a plate and they did not charge me for it (mostly due to the fact that I was honest and brought it to their attention first). The best part is they were a family and couples only hotel which meant everyone was civilized and respectful of one another. The best part was they never one time turned their noses up or turned us down once they found out that we have 9 children; this is especially a rarity for us when we travel.

Now, the trip. While I felt very extended while away because i was not only doing the same everyday things that I do at home, I had to do them in tighter living quarters and if you know me you would know that I hate clutter and cluttered situations but I digress for the good of the trip. I still had to get up and cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I still taught school and created daily lessons, I still worked for one of my clients (which I will not do ever again), and I still had to pack, unpack, and clean. This has brought me to the sad conclusion that no matter where I am I will always be slave, er, I mean mom.

My children are spoiled to the max and I am okay with that sometimes; on vacation is NOT one of those times.

I am just whining. Although I still felt like the nanny-cook-housekeeper-slave, the smiles and enjoyment from my children makes it all worth it. We went to the beach that my children beg to go to all the time but when we get there, they remember that they are deathly afraid of the water. The laughter I get from that alone makes the trip worthwhile. Lol. Likewise with the pool. Sai almost drowned in 3 feet even though he is 4 foot 2 inches tall. I laughed so hard at his dramatics that I almost forgot to save him (so his brother jumped in to do it). I kept yelling stand up but he was too busy being dramatic. And before you flood me with the fact that it is possible for him to drown in three feet while being over four feet tall, yes, I am well aware of that but if you knew Sai you would totally see why it was funny.

In the end (and even some parts of during) I did thoroughly enjoy the trip <—— (notice I didn’t say vacation). It was fun plus I got to hit some cool Thrift Stores on the way home.

 

-Rush

Lost in a relationship.

Posted on by JustAskMaia

No. My relationship is not in trouble, just a few thoughts I have been pondering from watching other people.

There are several things that turn a relationship sour. There is not a top of the list and no one thing that is better or worse than the other. I believe all of these issues are attributable to the demise of a relationship. I have been in relationships where some of these were a factor and I have been in a relationship that possessed all of them…stupid ex. But after all the tears and anger, I managed to come out stronger than I thought I ever would and I am able to consult and encourage those who are. Alas, as much as I dislike what I was taken through in life I owe my success to it. Pay attention because this is free advice that I normally charge $50 an hour for. I, at this point, am just tired of seeing our black men badger our black women on their big mouths and bad attitudes; their lack of subordination and respect. I am also tired of seeing our black women badger our black men on their inconsistencies and inabilities to keep them happy; Their lazy and selfish ways. Both sides are angry and both sides are hurt and I think it about time we meet at the round table to discuss our issues and the roots that plague us.

Lets start with the list. [Lack of] communication, respect, compassion, and honesty. The root; poor upbringing from our parent’s poor upbringing from their parent’s poor upbringing, etc.

How many of us can honestly say that our parent(s) taught us about being a good mate? How many have discussed it with us that it is important to not carry the aforementioned characteristics? Even the more, how many of us had examples of what a healthy two parent household relationship should look like? There is your root that is more than likely their root and so on.

We forget that we are one people. Men want to be able to come home and relax. They want a good meal and conversation. They want to be able to unload and unwind from the struggles, worries, pains, and injustices of their day. They want to be held and told that everything will be alright. They want to feel at home. But here is the kicker.. So do women. We forget that we face the same issues in our daily lives, its just painted differently. We do not know how to communicate that to each other. Your wife does not want to nag you to death, she wants you to understand that she had a rough day too. and when neither one can civilly communicate with each other they search elsewhere for someone who will let them release. We do not respect that we both go through the same trials in life just trying to get ahead. We are so angry at the world that we get angry at each other for not being there. We are not honest with one another. When something is bothering you tell her/him, don’t just say ‘nothing’ or ‘I’m fine’, that is dishonesty. Learn to pour your heart out to the person you pour your soul into during intimacy. You are one, how can you be mad at yourself and never seek to resolve the issue. LISTEN. Don’t just hear the words and wait to interject your opinion/disagreement by taking mental ‘get-back’ notes. What your mate has to say needs to be heard because they are worth it. Aren’t they?

By not respecting one another and being there for one another we are continuing the cycle of our own extinction. It is a hard journey for us all but just because you hurt on the left and I hurt on the right does not make my pain any less important than yours. It starts with a conversation and continues on by passing the gathered information.

So who’s going to meet me at the round table? There is plenty of room.

 

-Rush

usies

Day two of Homeschooling

Posted on by JustAskMaia

Today was a lot more structured and a lot more hectic. We bypassed the morning outing because the Homeschooling family we were to meet up with had to reschedule for tomorrow but now, after today, I think I may have to reschedule because I am beat.

Seeing as though we had a very laid back first day, I thought I had it all in the bag. I spend weeks planning and days organizing. I spent hundreds of dollars on necessities and maybe necessities, books, paper, boards, writing utensils, books, memberships for learning paraphernalia only to realize I was not even close to as organized as I should be. However, I managed to roll with the punches and get everyone on a set agenda for the day. By 2:00 I had an entirely new revamped layout and platform created and realized I needed to spend a couple more hundred dollars which we later did, mainly at the dollar store…THE DOLLAR STORE! Okay, I did get a twix but don’t judge me.

While I managed to get my two 4 year olds (no, not twins) on track with letter recognition and numbering, my kindergartner her dolch word list, I set my fifth grader up with States and Capitals for social studies and triple digit adding and subtracting for math and my tenth grader up with Civil War studies, Distance Formulas, and started reading Up From Slavery; Keeping my three and two year old occupied was where my challenges were really met. So, While I feel like I may have the others adjusted, my little Littles were running around without proper parental supervision. (McRush was outside fixing his car). It is nothing new with these two almost three almost four tiny people, This is an everyday adventure. I call my three and four year old chip and dale, no nasties not THAT chip and dale. The chip and dale cartoon characters from when we were young. Those two keep me on my toes. They are either arguing or conspiring  to tear the house up. They keep me laughing but they are training Chucktown and TamMan to follow in their footsteps and I think I  may run away. I just cannot with those two, I friggin love them.

All in all, today was a great day. The best part was watching my son get his ‘ah-ha’ moment with distance formulas. That has been a math area he has never been able to comprehend despite him being an honors student in all of his advanced classes. I saw the happiness in his eyes when he finally got it. I was so excited I almost cried. I was able to see my baby hit a goal and it was amazing. He wasn’t all the way on board with homeschooling but after today, he does not want to go to school. He was able to grasp, in nine minutes, what he was unable to understand his entire school year. It is like I have been saying all along, especially when it comes to Say who has an IEP plan (after 4 years of begging the district), If a child is not able to learn the way you are teaching then it is very well possible that you need to change the way you teach, at least to the ones who do not get it.

I hope I am able to encourage my readers in many ways, one of them being empowered to believe in yourself to homeschool your babies. I have not veered away from encouraging you to start your own business either so don’t thing I will stop blogging about that because I won’t.

I love you guys, I just want everyone to live the life they always wanted to. Life can be beautiful as soon as you believe in you the way I do.

 

-Rush
image

Welp, Today I managed

Posted on by JustAskMaia

Today was the first day of Rush Academics. For me it started last night as I continued to do the last minute things to assure everything was in order. After reading and studying I finally managed to climb in the bed at around 1:30 a.m. just to find out I was completely restless until about 3. my punishment for this late night partying fiesta; I overslept. I didn’t wake up until 7:30 because I kept hitting the snooze button on my alarm from 5:15. So, not only did I wake up late for school, I also missed my morning worship and empowerment call. Never-the-less I did get started with our day, just later than I had anticipated.

Since I didn’t wake up early enough to get started the way I planned, I decided to forgo the entire plan for the day and make it and easy first day. We packed up and went to the Firehouse Museum in Tanger where we learned the importance of fire safety and exit strategies. we a lot toured the museum and got to view and learn about fire trucks dating back to 1857. The children were able to make their own badges, take pictures and ride in a fire truck simulator.

When we came home we just did some refresher work. The littles worked on phonics, alphabet recognition, rhyming, and manners. I figure tomorrow we will get a little more structured, as planned and increase in difficulty there. I have to say, not shabby for our first day, I was able to learn some new things along with them which was nice. The best part is, Biz, whom absolutely LOVES going to school told me she loved homeschooling. That was nice.

The best part is that I am able to freely implement a Christian base to their academics. Todays focus is Daniel Chapter 1. Once I find our rhythm I will post our schedule for those who are wondering.

Tomorrows morning trip will be to Wannamaker Park, we have a homeschooling play date!

Now as the children wind down and I finished cooking dinner, I am working on a clients social media package. Yes, you know I stay busy!

-Rush

image

iRush

Posted on by JustAskMaia

tomorrow is the first day of school for my homeschoolers and I am so nervous yet excited. I am nervous because I want to be great and I want them to be great. I want them to understand the reasoning behind my decision to homeschool.

McRush is a little leery but I am not surprised. He supports me in every big idea or plan, plot, or twist I conjure up on any given day but he is always leery. I am an adventurer,  a go getter just because while he has to analyze and ponder upon it being sure to calculate what could happen at any given moment. Me, I just want to do it, all in, whatever ‘it’ may be.

I will say this, though, I have a new found respect for teachers. No matter how much I plan, I feel like I am missing something. And no matter how many times I perfect it, I still feel like I am going to miss something. But, no matter how I feel about missing a beat, I am super excited to get started.

It has been a busy couple of days because I have a couple new contracts and one of my other clients is getting the runaround with her website host so I have to get to the bottom of that. I have integrated more bible study into my daily regime so I have been feeling a lot more empowered. It is very important to take time out to spend time with your God of understanding. (I saw a friend on facebook say that and thought that was a perfect way to speak to the masses regardless of their belief).

I plan on incorporating my homeschooling journey into my blogs for those who follow and would like to know how it is before jumping into it because there are a lot of questions I did not know needed to be asked but people who have cared enough about me and my family were kind enough to offer advice that I am grateful to have received, so I would love to pass it on to someone else.

I have decided not to go with a public school platform but, instead, I would like to free teach my children. I intend on teaching them a level up from where they are so that the can stay a little bit ahead in the event they return, I do not have to worry about their comprehension.

SN

Yesterday I had a six and a half minute staredown with Beara. That little girl is me all over. Although I eventually won because she was more concerned with eating her Nerds than winning, I am sure I have not seen the last of her staredowns.

(Beara is Sara for those who do not know, but only I call her that)

There is TamMan, ChuckTown, Beara, Ty, Moni, Biz, Donte, Say, Bree and of course McRush (My=M, Crush=C + Rush=McRush) and then there is me, Maia. and we are iRush #RushBunch

-Rush

Listen to yourself.

Posted on by JustAskMaia

More often than not I find myself smitten in a conversation filled with truth and wisdom. I cannot turn my ears away as knowledge falls out of the mouth like gold nuggets. I wish I had a pen to write it all down. I am stuck on every word, taking it directly to heart and hoping among hopes that I remember them at the end of the conversation. These words of wisdom oftentimes are coming from me as I do a consult or a coaching session. This is not to toot my own horn our boast myself above anyone else, I am just amazed at the words that flow out as I speak from my heart.

More so then not, my tweets on twitter and my knowledge nuggets are stolen from a session where I was encouraging someone to be all that they desire to be or giving someone that nudge they needed to get started. As I speak life into people who feel dead I am also taking those same sentiments for myself. In helping someone else grow, I can truly see the growth in myself. Not only can I see it but I can feel it as well. Its a feeling I cannot explain but I love the empowering notion that it gives me and I am reminded that I am worth every dream I chase. I am worth every victory I have won. I am worth every compliment given. I enjoy giving people this same feeling.

I can truly say that I enjoy what I do, I wish I could do it more and I pray I never stop.

I always joke about how, contrary to our last name, we are so slow. My husband is so laid back, cool, calm, and collected. Meanwhile I am constantly on the go and adding tasks upon tasks to get the littlest things completed. People move too slow in the south I am always quoted, and road rage, oh my goodness don’t get me started on people not knowing how to drive. I have a lead foot and I intend on utilizing it every time I get in the car! Every thing must be a certain way and be done by a certain time. I cannot help it, it’s the city girl in me. Well today I was consulting a client who is very eager to get her business going at the pace she intends by piling more work than necessary on her already slammed agenda. I was speaking to her about not worrying so much and that it will all work itself out in due time. I went on to tell her that “You will get there when you get there and if it is for you, it will be there when you get there.” Let me tell you guys, I almost cried when I said that. Speaking from my heart has opened my eyes and allowed me to be able to see where I need to take my own advice, so do you know what I do? I take it. Sometimes I will say something so profound that it hits home in a way that all I can say is Thank You Lord. Its you. And who knows you better than you? no one, no matter how confused or lost you feel, you usually already know the way. You oftentimes just do not trust yourself or for whatever reason need validation from someone else (who usually has their own problems). So while it is true, you are your own worst critic, you are also your own wisest council. Be encouraged on today and even if you do not feel like it, encourage someone else, who knows you may surprise yourself.

-Rush

image