LIFE AT TRACEY SPEED

I LOVE YOU DADDY!!!

2012-01-29T02:15:00.002-07:00

My father peacefully passed away this morning around 2:15 a.m. It was a blessing to be able to be with him in those last moments.

This man was my hero for 43 years and died as he lived....strong, in charge and in God's hands.

TAKING A BLOGGING BREAK....

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

........life has become a little too complicated at the moment....

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#160

2012-01-15T01:39:00.002-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#159

2012-01-14T01:39:00.001-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#158

2012-01-13T01:39:00.001-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#157

2012-01-12T01:39:00.002-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#156

2012-01-11T01:33:00.001-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#155

2012-01-10T01:35:00.001-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#154

2012-01-09T01:34:00.002-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#153

2012-01-08T01:33:00.002-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#152

2012-01-07T01:32:00.002-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#151

2012-01-06T01:33:00.000-07:00

REASON # 382 WHY I BELIEVE CYFD IS USELESS!

2012-01-05T03:00:00.001-07:00

Before Christmas I contacted CYFD (Children Youth and Families Department) about a student who has had over 20 absences. The person at the statewide central intake seemed very concerned.....but then just this week I received a letter from them stating....and I quote,

"Generally, CPS does not investigate educational neglect of children above the elementary school level. In accordance with policy, we have cross reported your referral to the FINS Program (JJS), and to law enforcement."

Where do I begin?

* So, after elementary school it really doesn't matter whether our children attend school or not??

* At least they still admit that they are, in fact, "children."

* This is a policy? So this EMBARRASSING rule has been agreed to by a bunch of people and is actually written down somewhere.

* I had no idea what the FINS Program (JJS) was so I GOOGLED it. The only program site I could find was for one in Baton Rouge, Louisiana,but it is FAMILIES IN NEED OF SERVICES. There description is as follows:

"The FINS process begins with a written complaint, submitted to the FINS program office alleging that a family is in need of services. Anyone may file a complaint, however, it is most common that law enforcement, school officials and parents make the referrals. Grounds for such a complaint are that a child is truant or has willfully and repeatedly violated lawful school rules, ungovernable, a runaway, in possession of or consuming intoxicating substances, the caretaker is contributing to the child's problematic behavior, and/or the caretaker willfully fails to attend meeting with school officials to discuss child's problem. Once a complaint is filed, the family is expected to cooperate with efforts to resolve its problems as recommended by FINS. If these recommendations are not followed, FINS may refer the family to court, a FINS conference, and/or a hearing before a judge. If a hearing should happen, each and every member of the family shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court."

* I thought this was the job of CYFD. Maybe there is a some overlap of services here. Maybe some cost cutting and reorganizing would benefit them, so the right hand actually knows what the left hand is doing.

* Every educator that I have ever spoken to believes, as I do, that CYFD is a joke! They have no teeth, only look good on paper and do not ultimately help anyone.

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#150

2012-01-05T01:07:00.001-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#149

2012-01-04T01:33:00.003-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#148

2012-01-03T01:36:00.003-07:00

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#147

2012-01-02T01:35:00.004-07:00

YEAR IN REVIEW...GOALS FOR 2012

2012-01-01T01:48:00.003-07:00

2012 is THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON!

Of my 10 goals for 2011, I accomplished 5 of them. Including reading 60 books, finding a school closer to home (...although I'm not sure middle school is the best place for me....), solving our backyard landscaping issues (This will be paid off in May.) and taking a trip to California.

In 2011 Sam has grew in leaps and bounds, so much so, that he is no longer going to any type of therapy and he no longer wears braces on his ankles. I was hoping to have Sam potty trained by this time, but I think as in other things, Sam is just taking his own sweet time. He loves anything having to do with tools, vehicles (cars, trains, bikes, etc), and being outside. Except for buttons, zippers and tying he is doing great with dressing himself.

The major stresser this year has been my Dad's cancer, but it has pulled our family together and brought me closer to God.

GOALS FOR 2012:

* potty train Sam
* save $5000
* read 65 books (I read 60 this past year.)
* drive to California (Hopefully this summer we will visit Sam's cousins in Tollhouse.)
* start Sam in preschool (2-3, 1/2 days a week)
* try three new recipes a month
* volunteer at church
* write twice a week
* complete three house projects
* be a better wife...I need to be more patient.

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#146

2012-01-01T01:33:00.003-07:00

Why Not You? By Steve Maraboli

2012-01-01T01:29:00.002-07:00

Today, many will awaken with a fresh sense of inspiration. Why not you?

Today, many will open their eyes to the beauty that surrounds them. Why not you?

Today, many will choose to leave the ghost of yesterday behind and seize the immeasurable power of today. Why not you?

Today, many will break through the barriers of the past by looking at the blessings of the present. Why not you?

Today, for many the burden of self doubt and insecurity will be lifted by the security and confidence of empowerment. Why not you?

Today, many will rise above their believed limitations and make contact with their powerful innate strength. Why not you?

Today, many will choose to live in such a manner that they will be a positive role model for their children. Why not you?

Today, many will choose to free themselves from the personal imprisonment of their bad habits. Why not you?

Today, many will choose to live free of conditions and rules governing their own happiness. Why not you?

Today, many will find abundance in simplicity. Why not you?

Today, many will be confronted by difficult moral choices and they will choose to do what is right instead of what is beneficial. Why not you?

Today, many will decide to no longer sit back with a victim mentality, but to take charge of their lives and make positive changes. Why not you?

Today, many will take the action necessary to make a difference. Why not you?

Today, many will make the commitment to be a better mother, father, son, daughter, student, teacher, worker, boss, brother, sister, & so much more. Why not you?

Today is a new day!
Many will seize this day.
Many will live it to the fullest.
Why not you?

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#145

2011-12-31T01:33:00.002-07:00

EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS

2011-12-30T03:48:00.000-07:00

Look what I got in the mail. It is so cute!

But now I have to refrigerate it! So I have to pull it apart.

Amazing how much fruit is on one of these things. Yum! Yum!

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#144

2011-12-30T01:06:00.000-07:00

SAFETY TIPS

2011-12-29T10:33:00.011-07:00

1. If you are attacked, the elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, DO!

2. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you. Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your air bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

A.) Be aware: look around you, Make sure your dome light comes on when you open the door, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zig-zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. APolice have said that attackers are using a baby's cry recorded and use it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby.

10. Water scam! If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your outside taps full blast so that you will go out to investigate and then attack.

365 DAYS IN MY LIFE...#143

2011-12-29T07:06:00.001-07:00