Sunday, May 31, 2015

Cat Hair in My Coffee by Just Jennifer

   
I am a busy mom with 2 of my 3 children still at home. I also have a household to run alone, a full-time job, and this writing gig. My life is hectic. My home is usually messy, my laundry is never quite finished (I wash it, it just doesn't get put away), and I'm sure I've forgotten what color my hair once was (brown? Surely not this speckled grey color). Don't judge me...my kids are healthy and, except for the occasional rant, quite happy. But this morning started out all wrong. At 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning, I woke up to the family cat, Annabelle, screeching outside my bedroom door. I jumped out of bed, enthusiastically ready to start my day (or saying a few choice words and groaning...it's really all about perception). I was awake and I was moving, so I thought I might as well get some coffee brewing. Being that the little one (as I refer to the youngest of the brood) was still asleep, I made sure to tiptoe past her bedroom. As I finished starting my brew and sat on my favorite end of the couch I heard it: the familiar sound of the little one tossing and turning. For those of you who are parents, you know the sound. And what do we do? We sit very still, we hardly breathe, we slowly reach for the television remote and turn it off....anything that might keep her asleep for another 30 minutes. That's what good parenting is, right? Ensuring your children get enough sleep? Ok, stop judging me. I heard the little one settle down and made my way to the kitchen for my cupful of morning bliss. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed my favorite hand warmer mug and poured my dark roast cup of love. Yes, I love coffee. I love it like I love wine, but that's another story. As I lifted my own personal bit of joy in the mornings to my lips, I saw it: a big, bold, arrogant cat hair in my coffee. What did I do? I scooped it out and drank my coffee!! The point of all this is to simply say that a cat hair in my coffee is minor. It's nothing. Whether the house is clean, the laundry is folded, or the little one stays asleep long enough for me to indulge in my morning brew peacefully...these are the small things in life. Take them as such. Simply scoop the cat hair from your coffee, take a satisfying drink, and save your energy for the big things. But, that's just my opinion.

(*** Just Jennifer is proud to call Mississippi home and welcomes your feedback on this topic. Email your thoughts and questions to Jennifer at justjennifer.cmg@gmail.com. You can also find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/imjustjennifer. (The views expressed here are those of Just Jennifer and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts of Conversations Media Group or Shadow Play Entertainment.)

Friday, May 29, 2015

Conversations Book Club's Top 20 Summer Reads of 2015

Taking advantage of new media as a way of sharing this year's list, Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb took to Youtube to share this year's Top 20 Summer Reads of 2015.

 Here are his Top 10 Non-Fiction Summer Reads of 2015

Conversations Book Club's Top 10 Summer Non-Fiction Reads ~ 2015 (listed in no particular order)
  1. The Kindness Diaries by Leon Logothetis (Reader's Digest)
  2. One Righteous Man by Arthur Browne (Beacon Press)
  3. Out Of Orange by Cleary Wolters (Harper One)
  4. Corruption Officer by Gary L. Heyward (Atria Books)
  5. Commit To Win by Heidi Reeder (Plume)
  6. Be the Best You Can Be (Chicken Soup for the Soul)
  7. The Purpose Principles by Jake Ducey (Tarcher)
  8. Elena Vanishing by Elena and Clare B. Dunkle (Chronicle Books)
  9. Hope and Other Luxuries by Clare B. Dunkle (Chronicle Books)
  10. 10 Habits of Truly Optimistic People by David Mezzapelle (Viva Editions)
And here are Webb's Top 10 Fiction Summer Reads of 2015

Conversations Book Club's Top 10 Fiction Summer Reads, 2015

(listed in no particular order)
  1. Pleasantville by Attica Locke (Harper)
  2. The Cavendon Women by Barbara Taylor Bradford (St. Martin's Press)
  3. Bad Blood by Mary Monroe (Dafina Books)
  4. The Santangelos by Jackie Collins (St. Martin's Press)
  5. Tap Rack Bang by Robert Blake Whitehill (Calaveras Media)
  6. Contract City by Mark Falkin (Bancroft Press)
  7. For the Love of a Man by Melissa Cobb (Vicious Ink Publications)
  8. Cookie's Case by Andy Siegel (Open Road)
  9. Missing Melissa by Alretha Thomas (Diverse Arts Collective)
  10. A Killer Retreat by Tracy Weber (Midnight Ink)
Stay connected with Conversations Book Club's upcoming projects and events at www.conversationsbookclub.com.


Monday, May 11, 2015

Rankin County Top Amazon Reviewer to Give Away Over $2k In Products During Upcoming Event

Drones. Bags. Cameras. Toys. Electronics. Housewear.

As a top 500 Amazon Reviewer Rankin County native Cyrus Webb gets it all. Having a 84% approval rating on his reviews of books and products that he has used and enjoyed has given him access to national brands and those trying to make their mark. Each month hundreds of dollars of products are sent to him to test and talk about---and now he is sharing those items with his supporters.

During his upcoming event Art, Books and Beats that will take place Saturday, May 30th from 1-3p.m. at the Pearl Public Library Webb will be giving away over $2k in products to those who purchase artwork or books.

"You can only get so many lights, selfie sticks and phone cases," says Webb,39. "This is an opportunity for me to give individuals a chance to experience the things I get and enjoy them for themselves."

For every $10 purchase at the Art, Books and Beats event the customer will be able to personally choose something out of the products Webb will have on hand. "It's my way of saying thank you," he says. "For every $10 they spend they get a gift until everything is gone."

Webb will have prints for sale for only $20 and copies of his inspirational book WORDS I CHOOSE TO LIVE BY and his children's books A.J. AND THE TALENT SHOW, STANDRIA'S BIG DREAM, MARV'S HEALTHY CHOICE and AUBREY'S WORLD. He will be joined by author Stephanie Mitchell who will be signing her book BELLA'S DANCING LESSON and author Glenda L. Hunter who will be signing her books including the children's book IT FINALLY HAPPENED.

For more information about the event or the items available for the giveaway contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. You can also visit www.cyruswebbpresents.com.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

(Sat. May 30, 3015) Art, Books & Beats @ the Pearl Public Library (Pearl, MS)

Join artist/author Cyrus Webb, authors Stephanie Mitchell & Glenda L. Hunter and author/recording artist Darlene Collier (aka Lady Black) for ART, BOOKS & BEATS.

This will take place on Sat. May 30th from 1-3p.m. at the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS). Webb will have artwork available from his ALL THINGS NEW collection as well as his books WORDS I CHOOSE TO LIVE BY, A.J. AND THE TALENT SHOW, AUBREY'S WORLD and others. Author Stephanie Mitchell will be signing her book BELLA'S DANCING LESSON,author Glenda L. Hunter will be signing her books including AN UNSPEAKABLE SECRET, OUT OF THE DEPTHS & IT FINALLY HAPPENED and Darlene Collier will be performing selections from her debut album MY MISSISSIPPI MEMORIES.

Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. For every $10 purchase attendees will get a FREE GIFT while they last.

For more information contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or at 601.896.5616. You can also visit www.cyruswebbpresents.com.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Cyrus Webb Presents... "Branden Nicholson's '31 Days of Inspiration'"


Conversations Media Group President Cyrus Webb is excited to share daily words of encouragement from celebrity model/fitness trainer Branden Nicholson of B. Nick Fitness in California. The purpose? To encourage the reader to be the best of themselves each and every day.

"We have enough negativity in the world," says Webb. "I'm glad to share Branden's motivating quotes to help spread some positivity."

Take out time to visit our website each day to find a daily dose of motivation and visit Branden online at www.facebook.com/b.nickfit

Day One:  New day, new attitude...Take control, stay positive and be great!
Day Two:   The reason why people give up so fast is because they tend to look at how far they still have to go, instead of how far they have come.
Day Three:  If you're not growing, then you're not living. You should never be the same person two days in a row. Make it your goal to get better!
Day Four: When you are going through something hard and wonder where GOD is, remember that the teacher is always quiet during the test.
Day Five: Don't give up on what God has called you to do. The end result is worth the pain. Keep the faith.
Day Six: Today is all about choices. Choose to count your blessings rather than your problems!
Day Seven: You may be the only one that can see your vision, but if you can see it that's all that matters.
Day Eight: Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
Day Nine: The same people that are hoping you fail will be the same ones that will have to watch you succeed. Never stop. Always keep going!
Day Ten: The WRONG people in your life will keep the RIGHT people out. You've only got a few spaces so choose well!
Day Eleven: You are where God wants you to be at this very moment. Every experience is part of His divine plan.‪
Day Twelve: All liabilities must be let go! If they aren't building you up then they're tearing you down.
Day Thirteen: An original is always worth more than a copy. Be original!
Day Fourteen: When you focus on problems, you'll have more problems. When you focus on possibilities, you'll have more opportunities.
Day Fifteen: People who judge you by your past don't belong in your present.‪
Day Sixteen: Look around...Is this where you wanna be? If not, now is the time to decide to change it! The power lies in you.
Day Seventeen: Don't let your thoughts talk you out of the changes you want for yourself. Your body can do anything. It’s just your brain you have to convince! ‪
Day Eighteen: Get up & Go forward! Let go of the past so you'll have a free hand to open the door to your future!
Day Nineteen: They can copy you but they can't be you. Just keep being a better you and get a kick out of them trying to keep up.
Day Twenty: There are quick fixes for everything in life, but greatness is not achieved in one day. It is a process that each of us must experience.
Day Twenty-One: Don't let a bad day make you feel like you have a bad life.
Day Twenty-Two: You can't expect to live a positive life around negative people.
Day Twenty-Three: I Will NEVER lower MY standards, to RAISE someone else's!
Day Twenty-Four: Direct your thoughts today because your thoughts will direct your day.
Day Twenty-Five: ‪Temptation doesn't surrender. You have to come ready to fight everyday!
Day Twenty-Six: If you don't invest in yourself then your dreams will go bankrupt.
Day Twenty-Seven: Not everyone's opinion should be relevant in your life. Stop making irrelevant people relevant.
Day Twenty-Eight: Never let your,"mind"bully your body!
Day Twenty-Ninth: One day, you'll be just a memory for some people. Do your best to be a good one.
Day Thirty: Want to see your biggest opponent? Look in the mirror.
Day Thirty-One: Don't stress. Do your best. Forget the rest