LIFE, LOVE AND LINKS

whats happening with the world???

address-withheld@my.opera.com.invalid (samantha) — Tue, 9 Oct 2007 03:29:28 GMT

My new-found friend and I were talking yesterday (it is strange how when we try and take ourselves back to the day we were born or rather we take our way of thinking back to the day we were born - like playing the 'fool'... forget about everything we've heard and about everything we've ever been told or taught, forget about everything we've seen or felt, what society has planted in our minds and see things and people with an 'untarnished' mind ... we make the most valuable friendships and meet the most remarkable people, people whom we would never have met otherwise... like the friend I speak of now - Mnamata).

He is/was a security guard at the complex I live, I approached him with a job offer as my fiance had recently lost 2 employees and needed help - I thought Mnamata would be perfect for the position and yesterday was his first day at his new job.
Anyway back to what we were talking about.... whats happening to the world?

Something that has been botehring me a great deal lately, maybe bcause my eldest had recently celebrated her 13th birthday and 'become a lady', time was moving on and now that she was a lady I think I was beginning to think about the fact that she would have her own family, etc and things like teenage pregnancy were on my mind and I was wondering and hoping that I had been able to instil a sense of values, morals and integrity in her and taught her enough about the 'birds and the bees' and the difference between right and wrong.... Mnamata also made me start thinking about the role money plays in so far as these values are concerned - Mnamate, only 22 years old, from a rural community here in Cape Town, took care of his 4 sisters and one brother all on his own (his girlfriend having sadly passed away a few weeks ago), of which all except one were still of schoolgoing age! This I might add is no easy task, I know as a mother of 3, that there are days when you really are at the end of your tether! How this young man does it is truly remarkable! Aside from that, he is wise way beyond his years and while on the subject of love and marriage and children of his own, his response was 'I have always dreamed to have a family, to have children of my own, but my dream for that has to wait until I am married and we have to go for counselling before marrying because I do not ever want to get divorced, I want my children to have the best, I want them to have a father that I never had'.... on the topic of divorce, we came to decide that the main cause of the high rate of divorce today is the fact that man and woman who are now equal, no longer have predefined roles in the relationship, they are both equal in the workplace therefore both equal in the home... how big a role did our (woman) desire to be equal to men, play in the sudden rise in divorce rates, the rise in the number of child abuse victims (or is it just a matter of 'its now easier to talk about it and therefore more cases are being reported'?), the rise in crime - after all when both parents are at the pub on a Friday after work having had a long week, who is at home with the children, teaching them the all important lessons in life, lessons which will make them valuable members of society?

4 the children

address-withheld@my.opera.com.invalid (samantha) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 04:28:34 GMT

4 the children
We are guilty of many faults, but the worst is doing nothing but complain, complain about children being hurt, kidnapped, molested, abused, murdered, we complain but do nothing!!!For millions of children it is too late and may the spirits of those lost rest in peace and may we never forget or ignore what happened to them. Let us not forget, let us not let one more innocent child be hurt by those who are here to protect them, whose purpose and whose reponsibility it is to protect them - US! Us parents, after all they did not ask to be here, they are not able to protect themselves, it was our choice to bring them into this world and if we sit by and do nothing, we are the ones who are accomplices to these crimes against our children!!!! They are gifts sent to us and in return they ask for so little,they trust that we will just love them and care for them. It is the least we can do so please when u read this, do something, visit http://www.care2.com or https//care2.com/coogirlcc and follow the links to 'petition', sign a petition, create a petition, send an email, click on free click site, do something, anything, but stop the senseless abuse of innocent children NOW!!
thank u
from Samantha and all the children of the world

Africa - Ancient Land

address-withheld@my.opera.com.invalid (samantha) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 02:14:07 GMT

Please visit the link below and download part of this 72-page book FREE!
It is written by a South African poet, Jean Putter, published by myself and the
dedication in the words of the author
"To the people of Africa for the bravery of their existence. The courage to carry on
in spite of extreme adversity. May they one day be free of want and live in peace.
To Nelson Mandela, endeavouring to save the children, they are the future..." and
includes such poems as:
Africa - Ancient Land
Apartheid
The Black People
The Millenium
The Children
and so much more...
http://www.lulu.com/groups/dream2read

Prayer Needed Please

address-withheld@my.opera.com.invalid (samantha) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:50:35 GMT

I know that the Opera Community consists of a caring people and therefore I ask you to please read this and forward it to all your friends. I received it from a special friend and I ask not money or material goods but merely a prayer...

I am starting a signing for my son's best friend who has cancer (Hodgkin's Lymphoma). He is 11 years old and is not doing well at all. He was diagnosed with this cancer 2 weeks ago and the tumor is next to his jugular vein and entwined in it...it has moved his wind pipe over a inch, making it hard for him to breathe. The tumor is the size of a large eggplant and is sitting right above his heart.

This little boy needs all the prayer he can get. I would like you to sign this and pass it on to as many people as you can. Once we get to a thousand people can you please send this back to me at: 1volsgirl@bellsouth.net]

When I get the 1000 people that have signed it...I Am going to print this up for my son's best friend and show him how many people care and how many people are praying for him to get better. If you have a heart at all, you will all do this for me. I love this child as though he is my own and we really need all the prayers!

Thank you,
Peggy Lesley
Brookwood Church
4th and 5th grade Volunteer Coordinator

Please don't just forward this --- copy and paste it into a new message then add your name to the bottom of the list and send it out to as many people as you can and pray for him!

1. Dawn Thumm-Blythe
2. Susan Dodge
3. Glen Dodge
4. Mary Korbe
5. Carol Halstead
6. Melonie Story
7. Peggy Davis
8. Tracy Buchanan
9. Melissa Preston
10. Dionne Wilson
11. B. Peebles
12. Kimberly Jones
13. Karen Baldwin
14. Nancy Woodard
15. Cri sti Dodge
16. Susan Thomas
17. Bonny Wiggins
18. Michelle McLain
19. Lanee Jones
20. Cindy Albert
21. Pat Park
22. Gloria Carter
23. Barbara Nichols
24. Jamie Garcia
25. Mary Bunn
26. Susie Blunt
26. Latanya Hughes
27. Margie Robinson
28. Nicole Robinson
29. Rosie M. Ross
30. Sharon Eustice
31. Jackie Canter
32. Andrea Black
33. Jennifer Plyman
34. Jill Hayes
35. Rita Plank
36. Chad Plank
37. Teresa Frost
38. Steve Frost
39. Cindy Dickerson
40. Tracy Higginbotham
41. Lisa Walker
42. Malinda Hight
43. Sharon Hogan
44. Joan Watkins
45. Connie Ledford
46. Lisa Adams
47. Tonya Cannon
48.Jan Whitaker
49. Debbie Champion
50. Susan Harris
51. Carol McLaughlin
52. Bebe Burkhardt
53. Cheryl and Johnny Wilson(also a Lymphoma patient)
54. Linda & Tom Clark
55. Kathryn Gale
56. Valerie Zequeira
57. Cali Zequeira
58. Jeff Glick
59. Barry and Kay Roberts
60. Jessica Roberts
61. Jamie Roberts
62. Kelly , Staci, Kelsi, Mackenzie & Sidney Olcott
63. Heather, Lee, Riley and Jackie Taylor
64. Michelle Kalb
65. Ted Kalb
66. C ord, Ragan, Cooper & Camden
67. Craig, Melissa, CJ, Mary & Trent
68. The Creed Family-Chris, Amy, Brooks and Campbell
69. Jeff and Laurie Weber
70. Paul and Lori Webre-parents to a leukemia survivor(love and hugs to you!)
71. Cathy Stanfield - mom to ^I^Sabrina^I^ - dx rhabdo at age 14
72. Pat Boyle - mom to ^I^Sean^I^ - dx rhabdo at age 17
73. Debbie Frank
74. Mark and Wendy Collier-parents to Andy leukemia survivor
75. Amy Parker
76. Karin Smith
77. Christy Baker
78. Jill Durham
79. Heather and Brock Bullard
80. Mend a nd Clay Grinner
81. Katie Reed
82. Mickie McGee
83. Deborah Beggs ( also a cancer survivor)
84. Sara L. Morrison
85. Tammy Shelton, Tyler Shelton (survivor) and Jeff Shelton (survivor)
86. Judy Wood
87. Henry Wood
88. Nicole Wood
89. Nic Wood
90. Mike Johnson
91. Ella Johnson
92. Robin Johnson
93. Alan Johnson
94. Wanda Burks
95. Chuck Burks
96. Jerry Jones
97 . Virginia Jones
98. Jerry Jones
99. Donnie Lowe
100. Rose Ellison
101. Jack Ellison
102. Jean A. Johnston
103. Donald, Gracie and Marcus McNeil
104. Linda Ownbey
105. Vicki Moore
106. Debra Sustaita, Austin , Texas
107. Roxanne Hodgins
108. Leslee Wyatt
109. Debbie Doherty
110. Debbie Gonzales Mineral Wells, Texas
111. Sarah Avila Moody, TX
112. Ben & Genie Burch Robinson , Texas
113. Joe & Becky Martinez Robinson, Texas
114. Kathy Segovia-- Robinson , Texas
115. Lori Sisneroz - Robinson , Texas
116. Monica Hendrix-Lorena, Texas
117. Kirk, Stephanie and Tyler Hansen-Lorena, Texas
118. Debbie and Larry Schlemmer, Hewitt, Tx.
119. Cal Stevens Waco, Texas
120. A. Billings- Texas
121. H. Colunga - Riesel , Tx
122. V Walzel - Temple , TX
123. Melissa Taylor - Temple , TX
124. Ryan Leamer - Temple , TX
125. C Tanner
126. B Tanner
127. B Tanner
128. L Tanner
129. S. Lopez Ã¢â'¬" Temple , TX
130. D. Hines Central Texas
131. Holly Stubblefield-Harker Heights , Texas
132. Mandy McCoy Tx
133. Kim Scott-Waco, TX
134. Debbie Shaw Ã¢â'¬" Robinson , Texas (cancer survivor)
135. James Huff-Bellmead, Texas
136. Mitzie Bairrington, Robinson Texas
137. Berry Bairrington, Robinson , Texas
138. Brenda Atteberry, Speegleville , TX
139. Phyllis Tyler, Waco , TX
140. Betty Murphy, Waco, TX
141. Karen Cox, Arlington, TX
142. Jennifer Salazar, Marlin,Texas
143. Blas Salazar, Marlin,Texas
144. Larry Walpole Axtell,Texas
145. Mary Walpole Axtell,Texas
146. Julie Ashcraft Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
147. Melinda Smith Houston, Texas
148. Suzanne Ortega Houston, TX
149. Mary Jamison Geraldine, Al
150. Teresa Jamison Ider, Al
151. Alice Tripp, Dawson, AL
152. Rebecca Tripp, Dawson, Al
153. Stev e Gibbs, Dawson, AL
154 Jeff Gibbs, Dawson, AL
155. LaTisha Gibbs, Dawson, Al
156. Tray Gibbs, Dawson, Al
157. Ja de Gibbs, Dawson, Al
158. Sandy Sarratt, Collinsville, AL
159. Jack Strickland, Collinsville, Al.
160. Charlotte Strickland, Collinsville, Al.
161. George Moses Collinsville, Al.
162. Kay Moses Collinsville, Al.
163. Kerrie Dudley Huntsville, AL
164. Sonda Kurts Fort Payne, Al.
165. Gary Wisner -- Ft. Payne, AL
166. Karyl Spillman, Mobile, AL
167. Carryl Spillman, Pell City, AL
168. Brenda McLaren, Springville, AL
169. Kim Howell, LA
170. Buddy Howell, LA
171.Tara Nelson
172. Flynt Nelson, GOD is good, all the time. John 3:16
173. Van Tate , Louisiana
174. Marilyn Tate, Louisiana
175. Brandy Mitchell, Louisiana
176. Rodney Mitchell, Louisiana
177. Chance Mitchell, (dx: brainstem glioma on May 17th, 2007)
178. Patty Weeks, Louisiana
179. Michael Weeks, Louisiana
180. Rhonda Dupree, Louisiana
181. Randy Dupree, Louisiana
182. Brandy R. Mitchell
183. Peggy Arenburg, Natchitoches, LA
184. John Arenburg, Natchit oches, LA
185. Jill Parker Bankston, Natchitoches, LA
186. Merle Antoon, Natchitoches, La .
187. Angie Long Sexton, Atlanta Ga.
188. Stacey Wheeler
189. Christy Banks
190. Andre Watford
191. Megan Hardin
192. Buddy Hardy
193. Joe Follmer (wife just diagnosed with 2nd time breast cancer)
194. Rene Escobar 195. Clemente Martinez, Jr.
196. Ricardo Soriano
197. Peter Geiger
198. Tiffany Crutchley
199. Jonathan Banks
200. Michael Banks
201. Shirley Hyde
202. Richard Wheeler (Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer survivor)
203. Todd Wheeler
204. Wyatt Wheeler
205. Gavin Wheeler
206. Dianne Banks
207. Frances Banks
208. David Pruitt
209. Mary Womack
210. Eric Tucker
211. Nichole Sims Ballground Georgia
212. Troy Sims Ballground Georgia
213. Jack Landon and Noah Sims Ballground Georgia
214. Allison Walters
215. Michael Walters
216. Chandler & Andrew Walters
217. A nna Walters
218. Chris Walters
219. Bryan E. Traylor
220. Malcolm McCarn
221. Bertie Camp
222. Julie & Jeff Elbon
223. Allen & Carrie Davis
224. Kym Davis
225. Mary Clark
226. Carolyn Cannon (cancer survivor)
227.billy cannon
228. Melissa Cox
229. T Tanner
230. C Tanner
231. R Holland
232. B Holland
233. R.R. Carr, Oklahoma
234. R.D. Carr, Oklahoma
235 Z.B. Carr, Oklahoma
236. Z.B. Carr, Oklahoma
237. Mellissa Peretto, Ft. Stewart, Georgia
238. Tobey Vellotti, Commerce, Texas
239. Donna Kay,Ft.Stewart
249. Julie Russell, Iowa
250.Ann Cawley, Mo.
251. Margaret Baylor, FL
252. Cate Groves, Middleton, CT
253. Elle Jordan, Cambridge, MA
254. Carole Sarcinello, Culver City, CA
255. Danielle Stern, Culver City, CA
256. Michelle Huggins, West Hills, CA
257. Lisa Swain, Arlington, TX
258. Rachel Zacherl, Montrose, CO
259. Shell DiGiorgio (many blessings to all)
260. Linda Davis, Coastal North Carolina, ~Where two or more gather, ask and believe...it shall be so~
261. Andrea Johnson
262. Samantha Pon, Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA

$1 000 000 FOR THE WINNER AND $1 000 000 FOR A CHARITY OF HER CHOICE!

address-withheld@my.opera.com.invalid (samantha) — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 04:28:01 GMT

the worlds richest online competition ever - click and vote please

Divorce - how to help your children cope...

address-withheld@my.opera.com.invalid (samantha) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 22:55:33 GMT

Divorce and/or the breakup of a family is, to say the least, a very traumatic experience for both spouses so one can well imagine the effects it has on the children involved.
In most cases, the couple have had the opportunity or played a role in the decision to separate whereas the children did not and the news of the pending divorce usually comes as a shock to them.
As loving parents you no doubt are concerned about the effects the divorce will have on the children and may be concerned about how to broach the subject with them, what sort of reaction to expect and how to deal with that reaction.
I hope that this article, will therefore answer all those questions and help ease the transition for all involved.
First things first:
- Every attempt must be made to ensure that the child/ren know that they did not in any way cause the divorce.
They must know that they are not to blame as this is oftentimes the first question they will ask themselves.
- Ensure that the children know and are told and reassured that both parents still and always will love them.
- Remember that the children need to be told the truth.
Of course this needs to be explained differently according to the differing ages of the children but nonetheless, still the
must understand what is happening and not be told ‘daddy is going away for a bit’, etc.
- Should be allowed to cry and you should also feel free to cry if you feel the need.
- They should know that the feelings they have are okay and that you have them too.
- Both parents should inform the child/ren that they are available whenever the child needs to talk
- Another important point to consider is perhaps to encourage the child/ren to talk to a trusted third party
- Answer all questions as truthfully as possible.
Questions they may ask (be prepared):
- Will they still see both their parents
- Will they live in the same house or go to the same school?
- Will they still see their friends?
- Would their parents have stayed together if thy had behaved differently
Never:
- Let them feel that they cannot have a relationship with the other parent
- Do not bad-mouth the other parent
Likely effects of the divorce (amongst others):
- changes in intellectual performance
- juvenile delinquency
- change in eating and sleeping patterns
- loyalty conflicts
- aggression
- fighting with siblings
- fictious complaints like headaches and stomach aches.
Some useful links:
_{www.sfla.co.uk
www.999-life.com
www.aces.edu
www.singleparents.about.com}

Do something...

address-withheld@my.opera.com.invalid (samantha) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:29:00 GMT

...

Happy Ever After....

address-withheld@my.opera.com.invalid (samantha) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:10:37 GMT

. read the rest of my book and let me know whether it was helpful 4 u