Strawberry Letter: Is It Ok To Date My Ex's Cousin?

Is It Okay To Date My Ex's Cousin? | Steve Harvey in the Morning on WDAS

If she has to ask this question, she knows it's a major violation to date your Ex's cousin. She was probably intimate with her ex before they broke up, and because she's considering dating her ex's cousin, she may decide to get intimate with him if they're vibing. The first thing that comes to my mind is she has no decorum about herself. Dating your ex's cousin is just like dating your friend's ex, that's going to cause all kinds of problems & she doesn't need that. She reconnected with her old friend via Facebook and he blew her mind. According to her, he's a gentleman, handsome and has feelings for her. That being said, why is she checking for her ex's cousin? Her friend that she's reconnected with is feeling her, so she should cut the crap and give her friend a chance. It's said the best couples start off as friends. 

Her choosing to date her ex's cousin is going to cause trouble. Think about it, they're all close so if she decides to date her ex's cousin, and the relationship goes bad, there's no telling what's going to happen. Lord help her if the rest of the family gets out, she's going to be side-eyed by her ex's family. They're going to start gossiping about her, and the dirty looks/shade will be too much to bear and they split. To me, it's foul to date your ex's cousin because that's like dating a family member. You know how some people wouldn't eat everyone's cooking because they don't know how clean (s)he is? This is just like that. To answer her question: No, it's not ok to date your ex's cousin, so she might want to get this nonsense out of her mind.

No Ring But You Bling | Steve Harvey in the Morning on WDAS

No Ring But You Bling | Steve Harvey in the Morning on WDAS

One phrase comes to mind: Lies From The Book Of Lies. She wants a ring, but because he took her word for it, he didn't bother to get her a ring. This is why a lot of men have to read between the lines of their woman. A woman may say she doesn't want a ring, but deep down she does. To a woman, a ring signals commitment. Putting a ring on a woman's finger means she's spoken for. Overall, I think they have a great relationship: They compliment each other; communication, laughing and work through issues together. By all accounts, they have an excellent relationship, so I don't think she should make a big deal over not having a ring on her finger. After all, it's the love that counts. Then again, what you value goes into how you handle finances. This man is a good example because he values material things more than what's important to his woman. 

How can he spend on material things, but not his woman? That should tell her all she needs to know about his feelings for him. I figure, as long as he's not violating their marriage, it shouldn't matter if she gets a ring from him or not. Then again, like I stated earlier, a ring means a lot to a woman. If she's spoken for, she needs that ring as confirmation; otherwise that gives other guys the green light to move in on her. It's in his best interest to get her a nice ring ASAP because I see she's not going to let it go; her not getting a ring. Going further, he should've used the money he spent on those material things to buy her a ring. A man pays attention to his woman's love language, and hers is having a ring, so he missed a vital opportunity to make her happy.

Random Thought: 3 Strikes & Call It Quits

I understand that you should do self-inventory if you're continually being hurt by allowing the wrong people into your life, but...even after having done self-inventory, a (wo)man can still find themselves with the wrong spouse repeatedly. After 3 strikes, maybe God is telling you that being single is better for you because whether folks want to admit it or not, some people really do have bad luck picking mates. Some folks aren't cut out for a relationship, so even if God handpicked someone, that person would probably sabotage that blessing.

Lions WR Lives On $60,000 A Year

Lions WR Lives on $60,000 A Year

I had to showcase this article for one reason: This man understands the value of money. I don't know his background, but it seems as though he doesn't let money define him, which is more than I can say for many people. Articles like this are a relief from constantly reading about fiscally irresponsible pro athletes. You folks know what I'm talking about: Athlete gets that $200 million contract and goes hogwild, buying a dozen mansions, luxury cars and hooking up everybody and their mama. They're riding high now until they get injured, and that's when the money train stops. What you value goes into how you live your life, and this athlete has the right idea; live on $60K a year and then invest the rest. His reason is he's thinking about life after football. 

Unless he gets endorsements along the way (which I think he will), then that money is going to have to last him a lifetime after retirement, so it's good he's budgeting now. What separates him from most athletes is he understands the value of money. He still drives the same car he did in college, which is great because someone can have a reliable car, but want a new one after so many years of driving the same one. I figure if your car is reliable, keep it even if it does have over 250K miles. With proper maintenance, most vehicles can last up to 300K miles. I applaud this brother for being money conscious, and for having an understanding wife who co-signs his fiscal responsibility. Lord knows if a man is making big money, his woman wants to live lavish: Designer clothes, luxury cars, etc. If you can back up your expensive tastes with the matching finances, more power to you.

As long as he makes good financial decisions, I think he'll be wealthy long after he retires from football.

Dedication

I'm dedicating today's blog to a few of my Facebook friends who post real statuses. By real talk, I mean these statuses make you think, motivate you, and it's just their outlook on life. Some of them will come from myself, but many of these statuses will come from various Facebookers. Let's get to it.

Myself: I didn't have to see Straight Outta Compton to know there would be heightened security at all cinemas nationwide. I bet there were fights and shootings in various locations that showed the movie.

I never thought my blog website would blow up like it did. 300K+ views & written over 1000 blogs, and my blog website is only 3 years old.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) August 16, 2015

Your life is a reflection of the words you listen to, and the decisions you make. Don't listen to everybody.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) August 15, 2015

If your heart isn't in something, don't get involved with it because you're just wasting your time.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) August 15, 2015

Trina BabyTee Rogers

15 hrs · 

The problem with the "take me as I am" declaration is, most people who say that have no idea who they are! ‪#‎splitpersonality‬ 

Myself: So women are calling themselves Alpha Females now? Sit down somewhere with that craziness.

Trina BabyTee Rogers

19 mins · 

People treat you the way you act. If you are submissive, loving, respectable, generous and honest with one type of man, yet loud, boisterous, obnoxious, ratchet, independent, and fake with another type of man, how can you bunch them all together and say that group A is better than group B? You aren't showing your true self to either group of men! Stop blaming men for your irresponsible behavior and grow up. If you prefer men from group A, say that, but don't degrade men from group B because you are having an identity crisis. Eventually, the preferred men in group A will turn into group B because you are a C class female under the mask! ‪#‎usingliesasalibis‬

Trina BabyTee Rogers

13 hrs · 

If you're not going to practice what you preach, stay away from the pulpit . ‪#‎lyingtoyourself‬ ‪#‎preachingtothechoir‬

Trina BabyTee Rogers

15 hrs · 

Make sure the thing you like in the opposite sex is because of your preference, not your prejudice! ‪#‎likethishatethat‬

Trina BabyTee Rogers

15 hrs · 

The problem with the "take me as I am" declaration is, most people who say that have no idea who they are! ‪#‎splitpersonality‬

Teresa Marie

1 hr · 

All we can do is our individual bests! It's hard, but we must move forward, and be okay whether it's enough or not!

Shanta Collins

10 hrs · 

Name brand clothes don't make these kids. Y'all trying to run competition for what? Them grades is what MATTERS THE MOST 💯✔💯

Shanta Collins

15 hrs · 

We at age now, to know what we want. And stop playing with people hearts and feelings. It's just causing alot of problems, fights, death. If you ain't ready for an relationship just keep it💯💯. Less drama and confusion.

#Confession I care about things that are important to me, people included. Once I stopped caring about minor things, life has been great.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) August 17, 2015

Teresa Marie

7 hrs · 

It won't come out of you, if it's not in you.

‪#‎SimpleFact‬ 

Teresa Marie

7 hrs · 

The way people treat others displays who they are inside.

A.s. Webber

11 mins · 

Life is not promised to no one.......

Enjoy your day..

Make the best of your day..

Stay away from negativity....

11-year old rape victim gives birth in Paraguay

When I read this article, I was livid for two reasons: 1. The stepfather raped this young girl, causing her to give birth, and 2. The idiot medical professionals who denied this girl an abortion. Under normal circumstances, I would be against abortion because most times, it's an easy way out for a lot of women. They don't want such & such man to see the child, so they kill the baby. Cut the crap; you laid down with that man so even though you may not want the child, he may want to be a father so at least give him the chance to be in his child's life. This is one of the only instances where I'm for abortion. An 11, 12-year old giving birth? Really? I'm glad the baby is healthy, but this is foul on many levels. As for the stepfather, he has a price on his head once he gets behind those bars. It's understood among inmate circles that child sex offenders are hated. They're hated because they victimized a child who couldn't defend themselves. What really irks me is the idiot medical professionals who denied this girl an abortion, and I'll explain why.

This girl didn't ask to be raped by her stepfather, he forced himself on her and as a result she gave birth. That alone qualifies her for an abortion because an 11-year old girl's body isn't tough enough to handle pregnancy. Medical professionals denied this young girl an abortion because they don't care about the woman's welfare. They don't care that this young girl could be scarred for life as a result of this terrible situation, and they don't care how it affects the child. Pregnancy is tough on a woman's body, so I imagine how hard a C-section was for this young girl, who's body hasn't fully developed yet. Again, I'm glad the baby's life was spared, but once the baby gets older, she will ask tough questions the mother may not be ready for. I'm looking at this from the child and mother's viewpoint: Having to explain to your child that they were born under terrible circumstances, and the child growing up hating the man who violated their mom. No one should have to go through that. I'm all for children making an impact on the world, but under the right circumstances.

Facebook Video: Kicked Out Of Ministry

Kicked Out Of Ministry For Speaking Up?

The young lady in this video (Diamond) posted the aforementioned Facebook video because she was ousted from serving in ministry at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple. The reason she was outed was because she stood up for what she felt was right. That's sad that you can't speak your mind without being kicked out of ministry. True, you're supposed to honor those in authority, but if you see something that's out of order, bring it to the leader's attention and let them deal with it. If they don't, that's on them. At least you did your part by bringing the grievance to the leader's attention. I don't see anything wrong with what she did. This video doesn't surprise me at all, because a lot of black churches are petty like that. People get a little power and let it go to their heads. What's more disturbing is Dana's tone had pettiness & jealousy all over it, and had the nerve to say "I pray God's best for you, I love you, but your attendance is not required." Honestly, Diamond has nothing to be ashamed of because she stood up for what she felt was right. The blessing in this is that she's free to do what God has called her to do. The downside about this video is that it confirms what many nonbelievers already believe about church: That it's messy and full of petty so-called Christians. It wouldn't surprise me if the lady on the voicemail (name withheld) got Diamond outed from the armorbearer's ministry because she was jealous for whatever reason. Some blacks are petty like that.