PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) – Teddy Pendergrass, the seductive American rhythm-and-blues singer who continued his recording career after he was paralyzed in a 1982 car accident, has died at the age of 59, media reports said on Thursday.

Pendergrass's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, told the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper that his father died on Wednesday at a Philadelphia-area hospital. He had undergone colon cancer surgery eight months ago and his son said he had a difficult recovery.

Pendergrass began his career as a drummer but first rose to fame in the 1970s when he became lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, which had hits such as "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "I Miss You."

After leaving the Blue Notes for a solo career, he had a string of hit love ballads that were considered musical aphrodisiacs by his fans. His solo hits, notable for his smooth baritone and sensual delivery, included "I Don't Love You Anymore," "Close the Door," "Turn off the Lights" and "Love TKO."

Source: Yahoo News

Wishing a very "Happy Birthday" to my beautiful cousin Catina and my handsome nephew Dayvon.

My beautiful youngest daughter: Deja

Haiti has been shaken by a terrible natural disaster. My prayers go out to the country and all those affected. If you wish to donate to assist in the relief efforts, please read below for a few options.

 WYCLEF JEAN ON HAITI EARTHQUAKE NEW YORK—The following is a statement by Wyclef Jean on today’s magnitude 7.0 earthquake outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti:

“Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced.

The magnitude 7.0 earthquake – and several very strong aftershocks – struck only 10 miles from Port-au-Prince.

I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now.

President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands ‘ready to assist’ the Haitian people. The U.S. Military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible.”

Many people have already reached out to see what they can do right now. We are asking those interested to please do one of two things: Either you can use your cell phone to text “Yele” to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (it will be charged to your cell phone bill), or you can visit Yele.org and click on DONATE.

Haiti needs your prayers and support: Wyclef Jean on CNN Click Here

Please support Haiti in any way you can.

This is the recommendation from WhiteHouse.gov:
You can also help immediately by donating to the Red Cross to assist the relief effort. Contribute online here, or donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999."

Families of Americans living in Haiti are encouraged to contact the State Department at 888-407-4747.

Brand New Day by Karen Clark Sheard ft Yolanda Adams

YOLANDA:
You may have done
Some things that you're not
Too proud of, at one point in your life
Well, you're just one good prayer away
From living again
Starting today

CHORUS:
It's a brand new day
Spread the news, go tell a friend
It's alright to love, its okay to live again
Never mind your faults
What you've done or
Where you've been
It's what's in your heart
It's all that matters in the end
It's a brand new day

KAREN:
Maybe you were involved
In a love gone bad before
And ever since then
You've been bitter and scorn
All those bad feelings
You no longer need to hold
'Cause we're in with the new
Out with the old

CHORUS:

YOLANDA:
Things that made you angry in your past
KAREN:
Now you look at them, and you can laugh
YOLANDA:
Cause they don't
And they won't
KAREN
Matter anymore

CHORUS
[repeat]

One of the highlights of my week is Saturday mornings. I simply love to get my hair wash, so off to the salon I go. The salon is often therapy for many, a moan and groan session for others, and just that woman to woman connection for some.  The topic of discussion today was friendships- loyalties and boundaries.

The Scenario:

Two guys were friends since their days of day care. Guy #1 crossed paths with an ex-girlfriend of guy #2 some years after the relationship has been dissolved. Guy #1 and ex-girlfriend begin to cross paths more frequently at events that mutual friends are hosting. At some point guy #1 begins not only hang out with the ex-girlfriend but indulge in the cookie as well. Guy #1 shares this information with another childhood friend, who also happens to be guy #2 cousin. The friend express his concerns and issues with the situation that has been revealed and battles with if he thinks he should share this information with his cousin.  He feels that betrayal has taken place, but feels confident that guy #1 is going to end the situation and that way no one else will have to know and it will not be an issue within the friendships. But as time goes on the cousin/friend realizes that guy #1 has decided not to end the situation so he must share the information with his cousin because it's neccesary. The information has also now traveled to other guys in their group of friends and has started to present some tension. All his friends begin to express how messed up they think the situation is so guy #1 then distants himself from ex-girlfriend. Fast forward to 6 months later and the situation has come to life again. The friendship of guy #1 and #2 is completely dead and after expressing their thoughts all other friends try to remain neutral but still feel very strongly that the situation is out or order.

Your thoughts:

What are the loyalties and boundaries that you feel apply to a friendship?

Do you think that the cousin/friend was right to initially not share the information with his cousin?

Do you ever think that their is a time when it is okay for someone to date an ex of one of their friends?

Is forming a potential love relationship worth jeopardizing your friendship?

Children out with friends, SO working, me indulging in some relaxation.

A phone call from a friend just to say I love you.

Acoustic Guitar: Electric or not? One of my creative interest.

1. Walk 10,000 steps a day or take three 10 minute walks
2. Count to 10 before you say or do anything in anger
3. Eat the top 10 antioxidant foods (artichokes, blackberries, beans, plums, apples, cranberries, pecans, raspberries and blueberries)
4. Talk to your household (children, spouses) one-on-one for 10 minutes everyday.
5. Automatically save 10% of each paycheck and pay an extra $10 on your montly credit card bills
6. Voluteer 10 hours a month to a community service to charity
7. Take 10 minutes for yourself each day. Meditate, stretch, do a hobby, enjoy alone time
8. Focus on the 10 most important things that you need to get done.
9. Develop a 10-year plan
10. Write down/think about 10 people or things that you're most thankful. Show gratitude daily.

Source: Hope Health Newsletter