Coffee and Kids

"In America there are  two classes of travel  - first  class , and with children." - Robert Benchley It's definitely not easy. It requires a lot of coffee and patience. Here are some tips I learned while traveling with four kids: Wear comfortable clothes.  No need to be glammed up when you're traveling with a tribe for 9+ hour plane ride and 2 layovers totaling 16-20 hr trip just because you trying to save money.  Remember on long haul flights major airlines have baby bassinets but a big nuisance because everytime seatbelt light come on you need to remove your peaceful sleeping baby and put him/her in your lap with a lap belt.  And if your flight has turbulence like I had on a trip to Barcelona it was just better to keep Vivi in my lap. lol   Remember you have to take off shoes so easy shoes to take off & on.  Crocs, Crocs, and more Crocs are the best invention since sliced bread and perfect for traveling with children. Bring plen...

My budget for any trip is very minimal for a family of 5.  For housing, I can usually afford between $400-$500 USD and food between $100-$200 monthly and the rest I spend on transportation, utilities, and the baby things for Vivienne.  Picking the right country is vital for us because if we pick somewhere too expensive we won't survive. We have lived mostly in Africa because the cost of living is within our budget but now we plan to venture to Europe.  Within Africa, we were free to come and go without purchasing a visa or applying for residences visa.  But with Europe, it's a lot more complicated and make it harder to move within Europe with my tribe.  Over the next couple of months, I plan to research the best location with main focus will be on Fits budget Provides free schools, Low crime rate, family friendly town. I came across a a little island that is wishing to increase population and revive its island and after a lot of reserch it's top ...

A couple of sources of revenue that I use while traveling that is simple easy money.  Usually, the places I live are less than $400-300 month rent so getting $200-$300 easy money is a bonus. First, one is a company called Vindale . They are primary a survey company and have tons of surveys to answer.  Plus the best part is they payout at $50 and I been able to get $100 a month from filling out surveys and questionnaire.  If you have a Paypal account they deposit the money via your PayPal account.  I have been using their site since 2011.  Now it does take time but pretty easy money. Second, freelance work. Many sites offer freelance work but I rather not have a middle man so I been freelancing for many years on the side from taxes to basic accounting functions like bank reconciliations, account recon, etc. Mostly word of mouth I get referrals. When I was in the states I would go door to door to small businesses that had Quickbooks/Quicken and offer my se...

Sindi Sud Riad Review Located:  Riad Zitoun Lakdim Derm Sidi Bouloukate 109, Marrakech We stayed at Sindi for two months and was able to get to Old Medina within a 5-minute walk.  The price was super affordable for a family of 5. Some of the rooms had bathrooms some didn't but on the 3rd floor a community restroom and shower which is very tidy and clean with plenty of hot water was available but if you take showers during the check-out time it will run cold lol. We stayed in a room with no bathroom on the 3rd floor. They provided unlimited wifi but I have to say the internet would come and go and sometimes disconnect but okay for normal use.  But if you want to watch Netflix I advice waiting for a better connection. The staff is awesome, very helpful and resourceful.  They have great knowledge of the city and where the best affordable places to eat.  They offer breakfast for 25 dirham per person which includes fresh squeezed orange juice and traditional ...

Before I came to  Morocco many people made comments advising that Moroccan people did not like African Americans, non-Arab, darker skin people. This was far from the truth. From the moment I got off the plane, the kids and I were showered with acceptance, love and compassion.  I never once felt other people's fears.  I think as American's the media has made the rest of the world a  "big bad place" and only America is safe and accepting of African Americans.  But this is not true and far from the truth.  Were accepted and loved and not judge by the color of our skin abroad.  My son will never be shot dead for the color of his skin in Morocco. Hence, America history of racism played a heavy part in African American fear and how they think the world perceives us.  I'm not saying their not racism around the world what I'm saying is that it's not how everyone suggests.  The best way to conquer fear is to venture out not just the Caribbean, but T...

What can I say, we love Marrakesh. Morocco is the most inviting and most friendliness country we been thus far on the continent of Africa.  From family friendly restaurants to strangers kissing Vivi.  It's deep in culture but also has a modern western feel.  Old Medina is a fantasy world with snake entertainers to the henna tattoo artist.  Here a short video of our adventure in Marrakesh, I hope you enjoy.

The madness of just packing and leaving was draining with a seven month old baby, two teenagers and seven year old . But the process took me about year almost two years to plan and save.  And even then I wasn't prepared for everything.  Here are some key steps to take to prepare to move abroad: 1.   LET GO OF  YOUR FEARS!!!!! 2.  Clear your debt.  Don't acquire any new debt. Don't make any new purchases just basic necessities. 3.  Start a trip fund. Which is extremely hard for single mothers so start with $10.00  a paycheck.  Save your tax refund and any other extra money. Which I rarely had extra lol 4. Start selling off stuff that can't fit into a suitcase. You basically have two check in and one carry on to fit your life. 5.  Start researching the best location for you and your family.  For me it was all about easy access to Europe & also cost of living less than what I  estimate per month. 6. Find a group of...

Coffee and Kids: My journey to find "home"

Where do I begin? Life has so many ups and downs and you realize you have a passion or urge to do more then 9-5 career and live the hustle and bustle life. So this is where my journey begins. We moved to Morocco for pursuit of happiness. When my children remember there childhood and say, " my mom spent a lot of time with us ..." compared to, " my mom worked all the time ...". The difference in both statements make or brake the child's perception of "joy of living life to fullness". So that's how we begin my story.  One single mom with four kids on a journey to pursue happy medium with work life and family life. So follow the kids and I big adventure. Follow my YouTube.com and Instagram for more about our journey.

Where do I begin... Life has a funny way of waking you up.  The kids and I moved to Senegal and came back July 2014.  And my husband and I have will have a bebe girl due 2/5/2015 WOW... LIFE!  It gave me a burst of energy that surge thru me and energized me in many ways.  But I decided to embark on a special journey which I think I was unaware of which is called LIFE.  Have you heard of it? It's been lacking, I have spent 36 years not knowing what life is.  What color are the leafs?  What is the sound of laughter?  What are your surroundings today?  Have I just been walking without seeing?  I have asked this question and wondered.  I worked, I also played but what I did not do was live life.  So my journey is like most a healing of my life journey and revamping my inner soul.  I'm exhaling negative and inhaling positive.  I've learned to follow my own heart and mind and put my focus on more positive tangible peopl...

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Untitled by reashamoriba at Garmin Connect - Details My lasted toy.  This has been keeping me busy with fitness and tracking :) Bye Lovlies

So I haven't posted in awhile and I am on scale strike.  But still losing.  Posting a updated picture of my weight loss. I will post some updates in February and post more pictures.

Starting weight          359.4 Week 12 ck-in           321.7 Week 13 ck-in           320.7 Total loss in 14 days:     1.0 Clothes size                  24 1st goal: Clothes size  22 Weight          299 (est. date end of December) Nothing special still tracking along.  I did the 5k on 12/31 and it was brutal.  I finished last with 57.43 time and it was ALL gravel and two uphills.  But I finished and my running partner my son Rocky :)

Starting weight          359.4 Week 10 ck-in           327.8 Week 12 ck-in           321.7 Total loss in 14 days:     6.1 Clothes size                  24 1st goal: Clothes size  22 Weight          299 (est. date end of December) Sorry for the delay, the holidays have been hectic.  But I want to update on my progress and my goal for 60 pounds till end of year.  It doesn't look like I am going to met my goal.  But I will try to get as much off by new year.   Happy New years!

Starting weight           359.4 Week 9 ck-in             329.6 Week 10 ck-in           327.8 Total loss in 7 days:     1.8 Clothes size                  24 1st goal: Clothes size  22 Weight          299 (est. date end of December) Had a great birthday week.  Pigged out for the weekend and on my Birthday.  Got on the scale Monday 12/5 and weighted 335 and then by Thursday was 322 then Saturday 327 then Sunday 327.8 but I would rather say 322 is the number.  My body has been varying in weight for past month or so.  But I am happy with a loss.  I am going to post the highest weight so this week hoping it is just a lot of water weight that is holding at 327.8.

Starting weight           359.4 Week 8 ck-in             332.0 Week 9 ck-in             329.6 Total loss in 7 days:     2.4 Clothes size                  24 1st goal: Clothes size  22 Weight          299 (est. date end of December) Short and sweet!!! I lost weight, nothing really to update.  Still the same meal plan and just more water.