Brown Sugar’s Needs….

I’m adding this to my 100 things about me! Way to get one in!!! After reading mine, go ahead and do yours! It’s amusing!!!

Go to Google and write your name and the word ‘needs’, in quotes — as in “Brown Sugar needs.” Find the first 10 “logical” sentences that come up and make your comments after. Here’s what I got:

11. Brown Sugar needs to keep her clothes on. (LOL, it’s my way of unwinding after a stressful day! Kinda like shedding old skin if you shall!)

12. Brown Sugar needs a new nose- thanks to cocaine. (I don’t know what the hell that’s about!)

13. Brown Sugar needs to have its mouth washed out. (You know, I did tell my students today that I would stop cursing… Then one of those little bastards popped a water balloon in my room. You can guess how that ended.)

14. Brown Sugar needs us. (To leave her the hell alone.)

15. Brown Sugar needs a nickname. (What do they think “Brown SUgar” is???)

16. Brown Sugar needs a hug. (OK, I can agree with this one.)

17. Brown Sugar needs a home. Please help her find one. (This recession is beginning to get the best of me. What’s all the hubbub about the stimulus package again?)

18. Brown Sugar needs fashion help as usual. (Come on people! I just spent a small fortune in New York & Company!)

19. Brown Sugar needs your presence. (Guess I need to do this lent thing huh? Talk about showing me a sign!)

20. Brown Sugar needs an eye exam. (Ummm… how often are you supposed to get them? I just did this early 2008.)

Business of fears and challenges

I encountered a situation recently and I’m not exactly sure how to blog about it. It happened on Jan 31st . Can you tell how long it has taken me to blog about it? What I can say is that I have gone through what seems like a torrent of emotions only to have reached this conclusion: I have failed. Whenever I was asked my greatest fear, I would always say, “I’m fearful of failing”. As a Feisty Leo I have way too much pride -as an adult I’m able to admit that

Well good people, I have failed. It wasn’t a small simple fail either, I’m talking possibly one of those life altering failures.  Have you ever heard of P. Diddy’s all girl group Danity Kane? Their song Damaged is my theme song right now! Can’t really say if the words are what makes it my theme song or if I truly love the beat!

The song ends with Diddy talking, and he states sometimes you have to go through the pain to experience the joy; this too shall pass. The optimistic side of me knows 2 Timothy 1:7 (For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.) and I do believe that, so actually I shouldn’t even have a “fear”.

Excuse my rambling-if I express myself, maybe I’ll get an answer.

Blogosphere, I may have messed up or I may not have messed up at all, what I do know is I am totally confused. I’m sure you all can tell just from reading this.

Important Work Business! I’m a HERO!

Teachers are Heroes An essay written by an assistant principal in Ohio. By J. Bradley: “Where are the heroes of today?” a radio talk show host thundered. He blames society’s shortcomings on education. Too many people are looking for heroes in all the wrong places. Movie stars and rock musicians, athletes, and models aren’t heroes; they’re celebrities. Heroes abound in public schools, a fact that doesn’t make the news. There is no precedent for the level of violence, drugs, broken homes, child abuse, and crime in today’s America. Education didn’t create these problems but deals with them every day. You want heroes? Visit any special education class and watch the miracle of personal interaction, a job so difficult that fellow teachers are awed by the dedication they witness. There is a sentence from an unnamed source which says: “We have been so eager to give our children what we didn’t have that we have neglected to give them what we did have.” You want heroes? Consider Dave Sanders, the schoolteacher shot to death while trying to shield his students from two youths on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Sanders gave his life, along with 12 students, and other less heralded heroes survived the Colorado blood bath. You want heroes? Jane Smith, a Fayetteville, NC teacher, was moved by the plight of one of her students, a boy dying for want of a kidney transplant. So this woman told the family of a 14 year old boy that she would give him one of her kidneys. And she did. When they subsequently appeared together hugging on the Today Show, even Katie Couric was near tears. You want heroes? Doris Dillon dreamed all her life of being a teacher. She not only made it, she was one of those wondrous teachers who could bring the best out of every single child. One of her fellow teachers in San Jose, Calif., said, “She could teach a rock to read. “Suddenly she was stricken with Lou Gehrig’s Disease which is always fatal, usually within five years. She asked to stay on job … and did. When her voice was affected she communicated by computer. Did she go home? Absolutely not! She is running two elementary school libraries! When the disease was diagnosed, she wrote the staff and all the families that she had one last lesson to teach … that dying is part of living. Her colleagues named her Teacher of the Year. You want heroes? Bob House, a teacher in Gay, Georgia, tried out for Who Wants to be a Millionaire. After he won the million dollars, a network film crew wanted to follow up to see how it had impacted his life. New cars? Big new house? Instead, they found both Bob House and his wife still teaching. They explained that it was what they had always wanted to do with their lives and that would not change. The community was both stunned and gratified. You want heroes? Last year the average school teacher spent $468 of their own money for student necessities … workbooks, pencils .. supplies kids had to have but could not afford. That’s a lot of money from the pockets of the most poorly paid teachers in the industrial world. Schools don’t teach values? The critics are dead wrong. Public education provides more Sunday School teachers than any other profession. The average teacher works more hours in nine months than the average 40-hour employee does in a year. You want heroes? For millions of kids, the hug they get from a teacher is the only hug they will get that day because the nation is living through the worst parenting in history. An Argyle, Texas kindergarten teacher hugs her little 5 and 6 year-olds so much that both the boys and the girls run up and hug her when they see her in the hall, at the football games, or in the malls years later. A Michigan principal moved me to tears with the story of her attempt to rescue a badly abused little boy who doted on a stuffed animal on her desk …. one that said “I love you!” He said he’d never been told that at home. This is a constant in today’s society … two million unwanted, unloved, abused children in the public schools, the only institution that takes them all in. What is it that our kids really need? What do they really want? Math, science, history and social studies are important, but children need love, confidence, encouragement, someone to talk to, someone to listen, standards to live by. Teachers provide upright examples, the faith and assurance of responsible people. You want heroes? Then go down to your local school and see our real live heroes the ones changing lives for the better each and every day! Now, pass this on to someone you know who’s a teacher, or to someone who should thank a teacher today. I’d like to see this sent to all those who cut down the importance of teachers. They have no idea who a public school teacher is or what they do.

Update!

After hanging up on my father’s sister (did I avoid saying aunt in a discreet way?), I sent her an email. I poured my heart out. I let her know that whatever hurt she was dealing with was not my fault. Told her to remember that I was a child when she picked up that burden that she was carrying. Said some more stuff too. She forwarded my email to her brother, my uncle! We’ve been talking every since! We plan to meet up this weekend! He has plans for my family to meet as many family members as possible! Somebody prayed for me! Had me on their mind! Took some time and prayed for meeeeeee…. I’m so glad they…

My fault. Got a little happy!

Extended Family Business

My husband’s aunt sends me emails throughout the day that usually keeps me laughing! You know how you can see everyone who received and forwarded information in an email? Well for some strange reason, I paid attention to those names the other day and saw a name that caught my eye. It was the same name as my father’s sister… that I haven’t seen in a little over sixteen years.

I emailed my husband’s aunt and asked her is she knew the name I found familiar. She did. She called and mentioned my father’s name to her then called me back. She confirmed that it was indeed my aunt. Wow. I didn’t know what to ask, say, or how to bring this conversation up. I found her number in the phone book a few years ago and when I mentioned my father’s name she said it wasn’t her. Needless to say I wasn’t all the way excited about speaking with her per se, but excited about finding the other side of my family.

I held my breath and then I closed my cell phone and told my daughter I was nervous. She in turn told me, “Mommy don’t you tell me you nervous. Just be a big girl! Jesus will keep you happy!” Then she playfully punched me in my arm. There was no one I could NOT call after she had given me such a grown up speech.

I dialed. She answered. I was excited. She was curt. I decided to still try. I told her that I would love to sit with her and allow her to meet my family. She gave the excuse that she’s been so busy working two jobs and would have to gt back to me on that. I never wasted my time trying to exchange numbers. I just hung up.

100 Things about me… (1-10)

I’ve seen a few other bloggers post a topic similar to this one, and now that I have a snow day, what better day than to start than today!

My 10 favorite quotes-in no particular order…

10.) Don’t ever take the fence down until you know why it was put up. -Robert Frost

9.) If you’re walking down the right path, and you are willing to keep walking, eventually you will make progress. -President Barack Obama

8.) We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. -Aristotle

7.) The only place you find success before work is in the dictionary. -May Smith

6.) People who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those of us who are doing it. -George Bernard Shaw

5.) The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work. -Emile Zola

4.) Have no friends not equal to yourself. -Confucius

3.) You can’t change the past, but you can ruin your present by worrying about the future. -???

2.) Be healed, Be delivered, and Be set free!. The late Bishop G. E. Patterson

1.) If we can do what we can, God will do what we can’t. -Somebody’s pastor

Astrology Business

I was reading through Paula Soul’s blog and she had the cutest post about her dog’s astrology! So I decided to look up my kids! It’s scary close to their personalities too!

I visited this website!

My oldest, Kelcie, just turned four and is a scorpio:

The Scorpio child is penetrating and intense, something which might lead other kids to misunderstand them. These youngsters aren’t necessarily trying to be nosy, they just have an intense desire to know what’s what. They might be a little less than subtle in their approach with their schoolmates, but at least they’re candid! Motivated as they are to get to the bottom of things, once the Scorpio child gets something in their mind, well, that’s it. Trying to sway these pups is like moving the rock of Gibraltar! Resourceful as well, the Scorpio child will do well on a fact-finding mission, whether it’s looking for a good matinee or seizing the best deal on a new bike. This child’s mind is also geared toward scientific and investigative pursuits, so encourage their love affair with their chemistry set. That said, be sure this combustible tyke is experimenting out of doors! As they can be quite mysterious as well, it will be hard to tell exactly what the Scorpio child is feeling, something which may make it hard for this sprite to attract friends. This child can also be a bit jealous of others, making for some ruffled feathers at the playground. Even so, those kids who do bring the Scorpio child into their circle will grow to appreciate their passionate and all-knowing friend.

My youngest, Rowan, is only five months and is a virgo:

For better or for worse, the Virgo baby is plenty fussy! How else do you expect these kids to grow up to be perfectionists? Get used to it: The Virgo baby can be quite particular and needs to have a routine. At least having a routine isn’t all bad, but don’t even think of changing it! This baby will not respond well to lots of change. The Virgo baby can also be picky about food, so keep it simple at mealtimes. Aside from these peculiarities, this tot doesn’t require a lot. A clean bedroom and simple clothing are sure to keep this baby dry-eyed. The Virgo baby is quite good at amusing itself for hours with the most basic of games, feeling very little need for the attention of others. The Virgo child also wants to talk early on, probably earlier than most of the other babies around. There’s a lot going on in that mind wanting to come out! From an early age, this baby can also be seen as mother’s little helper, as the need to serve others is a strong Virgo trait. They also won’t make a fuss over their accomplishments, since by nature these kids are a bit shy. To sum up, the Virgo baby is fine on their own but also happy to help others, loves cleanliness, and can easily keep themselves amused. All this adds up to a pretty good (albeit picky!) kid.

I’m a LEO, here’s what the stars say about Kelcie and me:

When a Scorpio child is born to a Leo parent, they often create a vigorous and powerful team. Parent and child understand each other’s needs well; Scorpio needs to be respected and desired while Leo wants to be adored and complimented. This family team is strongly loyal, often possessive of each other’s time. Both relatives are pillars of strength for the other, and both are able to provide what the other needs. They enjoy each other’s strong suits. Laughing together and enjoying time spent with the family, they will have few disagreements. However, sometimes Leo’s acerbic personality can bruise Scorpio’s sensitive feelings. Most often, occasions like these stem from a misunderstanding rather than malice. Both Signs respond favorably to one another’s strengths. Scorpio wants to feel cherished and supported by their parent. Leo wants to be adored and admired by their child. The best aspect of the Leo-Scorpio family relationship is their mutual dedication to each other and the projects they partake in. Both Signs have very powerful, yet strategically different, personalities. They are seen as a strong family by others, and their mutual commitment to fulfilling their goals makes theirs a powerful relationship.

What the stars say about Rowan and me:

When a Virgo child is born to a Leo parent, a surface glance would make one think that they have no common interests and nothing to learn from each other. Leo is outgoing, dominant, charismatic, and often a little short-tempered. Virgo is studious and quiet, possessed of a more reserved nature than Leo. Although these two family members seem completely different, they form a wonderful bond once each person learns to accept the other’s unfamiliar style. Virgo appreciates their parent’s creative flair, and Leo is amazed at how much their child can accomplish in a day. Planning events comes easily to this family team. The Leo parent whisks their child off into many new experiences, and Virgo’s world opens up under their influence. Leo may feel at their child takes things a little too seriously. On the other hand, Virgo may accuse their parent of being egocentric and overbearing. Once they get beyond their differences, they can learn from one another. Leo teaches Virgo about fun and excitement, about the spontaneity that is often missing in Virgo’s life. Virgo teaches Leo to have patience. The best aspect of the Leo-Virgo family relationship is their effectiveness as a family unit. Virgo child provides the support beam that the family relies on, and Leo sees to the fun. Virgo works hard behind the scenes and follows up on details that Leo has lost interest in. Their personalities, opposite in so many ways, make them a highly complementary family.

Life Business

First let me start by wishing my little rolly-polly a happy five months old today!!!

Now to the issue at hand…Webster (okay, it’s not webster, it’s whatever dictionary program I have on my laptop, the mac dictionary person) defines insecure as not confident or assured; uncertain and anxious.

This one word is the sole purpose of this post. As a child, my mom called me a pack-rat. I never knew why she would say that until I got to college. I keep so many things for the memories. I realized that this trait developed shortly after my father died; I had problems letting go of “things.” I was afraid that if I lost that item, I would lose that memory. Around the time I lost my father, I also lost several family members. I felt that people were too fickle, so I kept “things” in shoe boxes and drawers. I can define things as letters, cards, emails, I have a ton (literally) of photos from high school, college, and it looks like I took a photo EVERYDAY of my first daughter. I truly enjoy sitting down and going through these things reading, laughing, and remembering where I was at that part of my life! I am very aware that I am no longer the person I once was, but I am still that person. I’m speaking figuratively, someone reading knows what I mean.

Now at my young tender age I am a mother and wife. I live a different lifestyle now than those high school and college photos. Is it wrong of me to still keep those photos although I am married? Did I mention that in high school I dated my husband? Yep, he’s been around quite sometime. Now many of us are blessed with the ability to recollect our pasts, and although we are able, we don’t remember everything.

Being married requires so much transitioning and learning. Sometimes you even give up parts of who you are to make things work. It may be selfish, but there are some things I feel I shouldn’t give up. If they are memories, then let them be, right? I love devoting myself to my 107+ (educators know that even some that you don’t teach somehow become yours) children at work, my two beautiful children at home, and my husband. It gets a little demanding at times, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. All I ask is that I have something to myself, and having something to myself does not necessitate insecurities in my household.

I was told that when you get married, you give up the I’s for we. Does that mean that I give up all of who I am?

I was told to wait until I was 30 to get married. My coach told me that once, now my cousin, who is almost 30, has jumped onto the bandwagon head first! She believes wholeheartedly that she should have listened to our coach and waited until she was 30.

I am aware that I was very vague explaining this situation, but I hope that I have written enough to get some feedback from my fellow bloggers! Nice or harsh, I’d love to hear it!

Political kid business

So, I’m cooking dinner for the family and dancing in the kitchen to entertain the infant in his rocker while my four-year-old daughter, two year-old and six-year-old cousins sat at the table discussing -believe it or not-politics and the inauguration! The oldest of the three asked do you know the name of the first Black president? The younger two yelled, “Bawack Obumba!” Then my daughter proceeds to inform us that there is a girl Barack Obama and she held Jesus’ book for Barack Obama (Michell Obama held Lincoln’s bible while Obama took the oath-ha!)

I was so tickled… yet proud!

Inauguration Business

Michelle was so proud of her man, she was about to BURST! Doesn’t it look like she’s saying, “That’s right baby! Say that oath! That’s MY man!”?

Guys, I am beyond overwhelmed today. My cup runneth over. My heart is so overjoyed about the events on today. I was reading DMGreen’s blog and almost pumped my fist in the air! We as a nation have truly come a long way. I know that there are so many in our past that would absolutely rejoice over seeing the first black president inaugurated. After reading PaulaSoul’s blog, it made me realize just how much I would have loved to experience this moment with my father, Aunt Deneece, and Uncle Leonard. They would have truly appreciated it. I miss them all so dearly.

I watched the inauguration with my students and there was so little appreciation and more disrespect than I would have liked to experience. They talked and joked while the invocation was being given and while I had my chest puffed out, they almost deflated it! This is our future though. I expected so much more. I’m disappointed. I had to go and get a coke. Dr. Ian would be so disappointed.

I want my kids to remember where they were, how they felt, and what they remember when they describe this moment to their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Similar to the wave of emotions I felt on 9/11. So many expectations, so little time.

I did have a couple of students to appreciate the history. One student asked, “Why is this the 56th inauguration, but only the 44th president?” Another asked (after we had that question answered)”If a president is serving more than one term, why does he have to be sworn in again?”

I felt as if a few of them were actually learning. If I could have had my way, I would have driven to DC myself to experience it firsthand. Have to remind myself that they are only in 7th grade…