Painting My White Picket Fence a Different Color...

Wild Lettuce Natural Pain Reliever In Your Back yard

2017-01-09T12:20:00.001-05:00

#AdSense101 - Viewability

2016-12-29T12:33:00.001-05:00

Girls Are Created By The Women Around Them

2016-12-21T01:28:00.001-05:00

Girls are created by the women around them. Once or three times they were stuck as the youngest who had to act older. Or- their one of two parents was more present and the disconnect will forever haunt them. And you-well you are the leader of the pack. Silence is your tool, practiced and questioned several times. The outside is in turmoil. Used to the old dwelling and hoping for a change back. But that will never happen because the leader won't let it. The impact of that place will never sneak out of the minds that were there. I only wanted to support you during times when others wouldn't...

2016-02-16T09:40:00.001-05:00

7 Non-traditional steps to REALLY get a Recruiter to notice you

Feb 9, 2016

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So many people are looking for jobs right now, and for some specific types of positions there is a lot of competition. You read self-help posts, all the time, about how to approach Recruiters, how to make your resume stand out, the top job sites to use in 2016, and on and on. Well, I have been in the areas of recruiting, HR, sales, and management for the past 22 plus years, and I honestly think some folks complicate the process more than they need to. I mean- don't get me wrong, it is still tough to find a job and looking for a job can become more like getting up and going to the job you absolutely hated in high school (mine was selling a lawn care service, using the yellow pages to find my victims, and cringing when I finally got someone on the phone and had to ring the little "celebration sales bell" in the corner). So, today I am going to give you the 7 non-traditional steps to REALLY get a Recruiter to notice you.

Don't just apply for the job online or through the company website, email and or Inmail the Recruiter directly.
Take full advantage of the tools you have right in front of you. Connect with them on LinkedIn, find connections that you have in common (and find out why), mention those mutual contacts to the Recruiter, and ask your connections if they will introduce you to that Recruiter.
Use key words, associated with the open job, in the subject line of your email and within the body of your email to catch their attention.
No one really calls anymore, so call and leave the Recruiter a voicemail if you are not able to speak with them. Quickly explain why you are interested and why you would be an asset for the company.
No one mails letters anymore, either, so use that to your benefit. Mail them your cover letter and resume, explaining why you are qualified and interested in the opportunity.
If the Recruiter lists their cell phone, as an appropriate form of communication, then send them a quick text about your interest in their open position and if they would consider taking a look at your background.
If there is not a contact name within the job posting, then find the company on LinkedIn, or another relevant site, and dig for who the HR Director, Senior Recruiter, and or Talent Acquisition Specialist are and contact them directly.

Happy Hunting! -Amy

Lawsuit: Ohio courts violate juvenile rights

2015-07-09T09:12:00.001-04:00

Lawsuit: Ohio courts violate juvenile rights

"She's Crazy!!!"

2014-10-11T22:24:00.001-04:00

It has been quite a while since I have made a post to my blog. Been busy with the chaos of our world.
Needless to say the last 5 months of my life have been very eventful, to say the least. I racked up everything from letting people stay with us who needed a place to stay, my car was wrecked twice ( not by me), I had to forcefully kick someone out of my house who was, let's just say, less than honest...sigh...
And then started the beginning of all the teenage drama. I love all of them - well most of them, but the parents who continually allow their sons or daughters to curse at adults when they don't get what they want and have no respect for authority are exhausting and ridiculous.
I never realized the kind of stress I must have put on my Mom when I was a teenager, but I deeply apologize to you Mom...apparently- I was not in my right mind.
But- I keep plugging along trying to figure out the best communication strategy. I love my daughter more than anything, and I will never give up trying to figure out how to reach her, help her, and protect her during these tough times in her life.
Then- as the months dragged on, I had the pleasure of adding those "Mom's who think they do no wrong, or their child does no wrong, and or they think they were put on this earth to teach me and others a life-lesson"! Yea- those Moms. I have never claimed to be perfect, in fact, some of those particular Mom's have said I am a crazy person and or don't live in reality...well ladies- the truth is - I just don't want to continually be interjected into your warped view of reality. The difference between me and some of these other folks is- at least I am self - aware and confident...where they, on the other hand, have a low self - image and praying on others, during their weakest times, is what makes them feel stronger and more in control....But- they really aren't. It's just a high they get, like a drug, and it only lasts a short time before you fall down again.
Between the summer craziness, people in and out of my house, teenage drama, and parents who think they are "Dr. Phil" there suddenly appeared a ray of sunshine who seemed to need help and guidance just like I did. I had not really laughed like that in a very long time. I had not felt totally comfortable in my I own skin, until the moment that I stepped out of my comfort zone and onto the SMU green.
More to come later... -Amy

Facebook Is Fueling Cyber-bullying

2014-04-30T13:10:00.002-04:00

Parenting is about a million times harder these days. So, this post is for you Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook (just to start).

When I was growing up, our parents did not have to deal with cell phones, texting, sexting, social media, Facebook, Instagram, and every other form of electronic media. No. They DID NOT! But, the world, as we know it, has changed drastically, and now we as parents not only have to know "what kind of party" are kids are going to...but we also need to make sure that some other kid with no self-esteem is not destroying their reputation or self-esteem on Facebook or sending massive texts to all of their friends with information that is evil and not true. And - why do they do it, probably because they have no guidance, no self-esteem, emotional issues etc. Yeah- it isn't fair, but unfortunately it is a reality.

Mark Zuckerberg and his Facebook team are the first company I would like to address. Yes Mark & Facebook staff, I have a profile on Facebook. I had to start one several years ago, when I sold advertising online. And now, the only reason I really keep it is to keep in touch with some of my friends and family and to keep an eye on what is going on in my daughter's teenage circle.

Mark- you and your Facebook team are making billions of dollars with Facebook, but you have little to NO true parental controls, content removal, protection against bullies, protection against sharing explicit content with children under the age of 18 etc.

What you have arranged is a list of places a child and or parent can go, a number to call, and or a website to visit. You also give some helpful tips (insert sarcasm) like "How to keep your child safe on Facebook..." #1- Don't share your password...#2 - Don't put any of your personal information on Facebook....blah blah blah.

Well- all that stuff doesn't matter when the cyber-bullying has already happened, their self-esteem is already damaged, someone already re-posted a nasty picture of them, evil rumors have already been spread and now they have decided that cutting themselves or God Forbid suicide is the only answer.

Their parents keep asking them "What's wrong?" are you..."Okay?" They take them to a therapist, the school counselor, give them pills and crap for their anxiety, depression, anger- management!! What is all this stuff.

And I will not accept someone saying "Oh- well Amy it's not Facebook's fault, you know... freedom of speech etc..." REALLY! Facebook along with many other social media outlets have to take more responsibility because YES- they are partially to blame. Here's an idea- how about if you made Facebook intelligent enough to recognize when someone was sharing explicit information with a child under the age of 18 and maybe there would be a pop-up or it would just automatically block it. And that just scratches the surface of the entire problem.

Let's look at some of the "help" that Facebook offers to parents and their children (and mind you- it is in the small blue "help" section at the very bottom of your Facebook page. You can see it in your personal drop down too, but you would have to search for "Parental Help" or something to even get to it. Help for parents and their kids is NOT listed as a drop down. Let's LOOK below, shall we:

Facebook-2014

"Can I monitor my child’s activity on Facebook or delete my child's account?

We are generally forbidden by privacy laws against giving unauthorized access to someone who is not an account holder. We encourage parents to exercise any discretion they can on their own computers and in overseeing their kids' internet use. Please talk to your kids, educate them about internet safety, and ask them to use our extensive privacy settings.

If your child is experiencing abuse on Facebook, we encourage you to ask them to log in to their account and report it."

"Suicide Prevention

If you've encountered a direct threat of suicide on Facebook, please contact law enforcement or a suicide hotline immediately.

I need to find a suicide hotline for myself or a friend.

How do I help someone who's posted suicidal content on Facebook?

If you've encountered a direct threat of suicide on Facebook, please contact law enforcement or a suicide hotline immediately.

You can also:

Report suicidal content to Facebook

Review resources about identifying and responding to suicide warning signals

Learn more about the resources available to members of the US military community"

"How can I help my teen use Facebook wisely?

Depending on your teen’s age, you might go through their privacy shortcuts and account settings together and make selections you’re both comfortable with. No matter how old your child is, we recommend that you make using Facebook responsibly part of an ongoing conversation about the internet and technology. Talk about your expectations about how they'll behave and help them understand what’s safe and what they need to be aware. Be sure your teen understands these basics of internet safety:

Never share your password

Think before you post

Only accept friend requests from people you know personally

Report anything that looks suspicious (learn how)"

"Where else can I report inappropriate or objectionable actions that have been taken against children?

Facebook takes the safety of the people who use it very seriously and takes significant efforts to make sure that the interactions encountered on the site are done so in a safe manner. We strongly urge everyone to report suspicious people and sensitive content when they come across it on the site. You can notify Facebook of any inappropriate people or content by clicking on the "Report" link located throughout the site. People under the age of 18 are also encouraged to talk to a parent or a responsible adult immediately if someone online says or does something to make them feel uncomfortable or threatened in any way."

All information referenced from Facebook 2014

Now let's look at some recent Cyber-bullying Statistics:
Referenced from Answer.com 2014

Four in ten teens (43%) have experienced online harassment.
Girls are twice as likely as boys to be victims and perpetrators, usually through email or a social networking sites, where they typically engage in social sabotage.
Cyberbullying is most prevalent among 14 to 16 year olds.
Teens who share their identities and thoughts on social networking sites, such as Facebook, are more likely to be targets than are those who do not use social networking sites (39% have been cyber-bullied in someway, compared with 22% of online teens who do not use social networks).

National phone survey of 935 teenagers by Pew Internet and American Life, November 2006

Here are some additional cyber-bullying statistics from iSafe:

22% of students know someone who has been bullied online.
19% of students admit to saying something hurtful to others online.
12% of students have personally become upset by strangers online.
90% of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online.
75% have visited a web site bashing another student
40% have had their password(s) stolen and changed by a bully
Cyber-bullying has led to at least 4 cases of suicide in the United States and many more abroad. Suicide related to cyber-bullying is called “cyberbullycide”

Something has to change soon! I am aware that social media is not going to go away, but the controls on sites like Facebook must improve immediately. There is no protection for our children, there are no notifications to parents, there are no true parental controls.

We are out there trying to work a full-time job, protect our children from strangers, provide for them, and try to instill good morales and values for them, but as parents our words are continuously cut down by what they are learning online, the post their friend shared with them with sexually explicit content from a share from her weird Uncle, the cuss words & weird YouTube videos that were posted on their timeline by a friend of a friend...they see it all before they even know it is happening or can even block the person...one by one.

I could go on and on, but it is what it is and something has to change soon, because we as parents ARE NOT going to be able to protect them from everything they see and experience online. But- we cannot completely shut them out because that is our world now. BUT we can ask or DEMAND that companies like Facebook, with its target audience, must design and implement much better safeguards for our youth, because right now all it is doing is fueling an even bigger fire.

-Amy

Honor...Yourself...

2014-03-28T00:21:00.001-04:00

Throughout my life I have had many "Aha!" moments. You know what I mean, those moments when you think..."how did I not know this already?..." "But- it is so simple...wow!" Those moments...when suddenly your perspective on yourself, your life, is changed.
You knew, in the back of your mind, maybe your subconscious, that something wasn't "right" but you ignored it or thought it was just a phase.
It wasn't who you were or who you wanted to be, but you became a Chameleon and you seemed to change or adapt, ever so slightly, to the environment you were sitting in.
Maybe it was easier that way, it reduced the pain for a moment, or you thought you were protecting someone else.
But all along, you were simply running from the truth...you were born a yellowish-green Chameleon with light blue transparent eyes, but instead of honoring your colors you transformed to blue, brown, orange, and sometimes black. Those weren't "your" colors, and deep down you knew you needed to find your way back.
The words I heard during my recent "Aha!" moment were so gracefully laid out...kind, caring, concerned. And honestly not tough to hear, because I already knew, I just needed to be told.
So, thank you for opening my eyes and calming my spirit. It is amazing how, sometimes, a brief conversation can resuscitate what you forgot to honor...yourself.

Be "Present" In Your Child's Life

2014-03-03T11:09:00.002-05:00

You know it's going to be interesting when someone starts writing with "in my opinion".... :)

In my opinion, if you have never gone through it (divorce with children) yourself then you have absolutely no idea what it is like and or what it entails. I think it is funny how people, who have never walked down this "life-path", seem to think that they know everything about it. They somehow telepathically know how you are feeling, how tough it is, what your kids really think, and how you should solve all of your problems. I mean, I appreciate them being nice & somewhat supportive, but they have no idea and should never claim that they do. Just listen & nod...that's all we want...

I mean...every Mom & Dad worries about what kinds of kids their son and or daughter is hanging out with; who are they talking to on fb (which I have come to dis-like- it makes parenting harder than ever); who are they texting & what are they saying...the list goes on. And, honestly divorced or not, all parents have to deal with these issues in our current society.

Sometimes, both parents are truly "present" and sometimes, even if they are not divorced, they are NEVER "present". And when I say "present", I mean in the lives of their children. What are their kids doing, do they know where they are going, who they are talking to...did they know that their kid is bullying other kids at school, did they see that last post on fb & that last "sketchy" picture on Instagram that their daughter posted 5 secs ago? Did they? Did they do anything about it?

I mean, we can't control everything, but our job as parents (one of them) is to protect our children to the best of our ability. That means we can't be selfish and we cannot sit on our butts and do nothing!
In my opinion (there is that phrase again), parents have to be involved in the lives of their children, even more these days than any time in the past. Because, the outside influences just keep growing bigger, stronger, and casting a wider net every single day. I mean, kids these days at age 13 know more "junk" then I could have even imagined at that age...some of it I probably didn't even learn until I was in my mid 20's! Crazy & Scary!

When I was 13, I was taping songs from the radio; playing "kick the can" outside; catching tadpoles in the creek by our house; watching 5 or 6 channels on the T.V. (that is when my parents let Alan & I watch t.v.); building forts, under our ping pong table in our basement, with my Bro Alan and tape recording our voices as we tried to recreate our own versions of "Saturday Night Live" and or "Mr. Rogers"...I loved those times...and miss they innocence of those moments...You try to recreate those "types" of moments for your own children, but it just isn't the same. It can be close, but not exactly the same.

SO, what is my point...? Divorced, married, etc...whatever your situation, I just think it is so important to try and be "present" in your kids' lives...as much as possible...it might be 30 minutes, a whole day/week, or maybe just a moment...but, as tough as it can be sometimes, just take a deep breath and try to remember to be "present" (positive, listening, smiling, loving etc...) even if it is for just a brief moment...Peace.

A Different Form of Bullying | Painting My White Picket Fence a Different Color...

2014-03-03T10:24:00.001-05:00

A Different Form of Bullying | Painting My White Picket Fence a Different Color...

High-Stakes Testing...What is your opinion? | Painting My White Picket Fence a Different Color...

2014-03-03T10:21:00.001-05:00

High-Stakes Testing...What is your opinion? | Painting My White Picket Fence a Different Color...

Acts of Hope and Kindness, Toward your Fellow Man, can even Happen in a Walmart Parking Lot

2014-02-12T00:08:00.001-05:00

Do you believe in Karma? What about "The Universe" and what it can bring to you? Do you think that what you say, or what you think, will actually become truth? What about "what goes around comes around"? And...if I say and think positive thoughts, then I will receive good things in return"...?

Later this afternoon, I started thinking about many of these questions...

So, I started thinking how I felt about the topics I mentioned in the first paragraph, and I started to think, again as I do several times a day, about my Grandma and how she always felt and what she always said and passed down to all of us. The funny thing is, the things my Grandma taught us were simple, but they covered almost every area, every situation, every challenge, and every confrontation you may or may not have during your time on earth. I have mentioned them before, but I think they are worth mentioning again. Of course, the main focus that my Grandma ALWAYS had was to "be kind to your fellow Man...", which also included the Golden Rule (this is not the biblical version) i.e. "treat others the way you want to be treated". Now, my Grandma lived by those words and many others...but she was no push-over. :) She was stubborn, tough, independent, and she stood up for what she believed in...and under all of that she was graceful, beautiful, talented, and very intelligent. She loved my Grandpa, and always stood by him through some very tough times. They were best friends...soul mates...partners in crime...parents...

So, as I was thinking about all of my Grandma's life lessons, a past moment popped into my head...and it is relevant and worth sharing. So, here we go...several months ago I was pulling into a Walmart parking lot. As I was getting out of my car, I looked over, and I saw this older woman stepping out of the side door of her small trailer. The trailer looked more like a small "pop-up" camper, if you can remember what those looked like, and it was hooked onto the back of a really beat up SUV. I just stood there for a moment, watching her and wondering what she was doing and where she might be going. She looked very tired, but she was standing up straight and she walked with a purpose. As she got closer to me, she stopped and out of the blue said, "well, I'm going into another Walmart to try and find a job today...it's hard, but I know I just have to keep trying." And I said, "I wish you the best of luck, and I am sure today is going to be the day for you!" She said, "well, I don't have all those kind of fancy clothes like you are wearing, but I hope that don't matter..." Then I said, "you look just fine, and I know you will be great in there!"...She ended with "thank you and you have a very nice day!" I responded with, "You too Hon, and take care...it was nice chatting with you." She had a warm smile on her face the whole time. And that was our brief encounter...she continued to walk slowly into Walmart, and I never saw her after that.

So, what is my point to telling you this story...well, this was a strong person, who in the worst of conditions, never gave up on herself and never lost hope. She knew if she just kept trying and kept a positive attitude, that eventually things would work out in her favor. And, in addition to that, she continued to be kind to her fellow man...she didn't have to say anything to me, but she did and in the midst of all of her chaos she wanted to chat with me briefly, be kind, complimentary, and then move along her way. How often do you experience that today? Unfortunately, not very often at all. To me, my encounter with the lady in the Walmart parking lot was refreshing and untainted. To me, it was hope.

Peace & Goodnight,
Amy

MY Blank Slate...

2014-02-03T23:01:00.002-05:00

Every time I write a new post I get to start on a fresh, new, blank, untainted piece of paper. Well...it is a blank computer screen...
It sometimes makes me think of life, fresh starts and new memories...and hope. As I handle all of the little things that creep up on us, in life, there are always those brief moments that remind you that everything will be okay...it will get better...there is some hope.
Like this one...I try, on a daily basis, to effectively communicate with my "tweener" daughter, but in her eyes I am not cool, I don't know things she knows, OMG & LOL! Right Right! I don't want to be her best friend (oh- sorry BFF), but I would like to be her hero from time to time. So, we are talking tonight, and for some reason this came up...I told her that I dated the captain of the football team (Hi Tim!) when I was in high school. I mean, I can't even recall why I would have told her that. She stopped in her tracks and said, "OMG Mom! That is so super cool!" Okay! I thought...one point for me a zero points for the nerdy Mom that I thought I was. We kept talking, and she said what else...so, I dug deep into my closet of "cool" stories, and I said ..."well I was on the homecoming court in high school and I was voted best personality in my class." She seemed impressed, but not as impressed as dating the captain of the football team (thanks Tim! :)!! Man, I really scored the "cool" points with that one. Too funny...
So, when I look at where I have been, where I am, and where I am going they all look very different. I am not sure why. Do I wish that I could still have that "white picket fence" of life that apparently everyone "dreams" about...?....No. I really don't. I mean, when I see my friends on fb etc. who are still married to the same person, have a huge house, and look super happy on their vacations to Italy...am I a little envious? Yes. The truth is...I am...but I also know that I have been put on this "mission" and or "life path" for a reason. My "untainted piece of paper" is just beginning, and it can only get better from here.
So, I need to savor the moments when my daughter thinks I am "cool" if only for a minute. I need to suck up the love, from my son, that I see in different situations every day. When he asks me a million and one questions, I need to take a deep breath and answer, then, like he only asked one. He is also a blank piece of paper, and the writing that appears is what he sees from me and others every day of his life.
I wish that I had a crystal ball. That I knew what the future held...and that our blank piece of paper was eventually going to be filled with "rainbows & unicorns"...but I don't have a crystal ball...I only have intuition...hope for a brighter tomorrow...and my high school "coolness" according to my daughter. Right now, that is what I have, and right now I am okay with that.
Peace...Amy

Scott Summit | Bespoke Innovations

2014-01-22T10:38:00.001-05:00

Scott Summit | Bespoke Innovations

Painting My White Picket Fence a Different Color...: 2014 Revelations NOT Resolutions

2013-12-31T23:32:00.001-05:00

Painting My White Picket Fence a Different Color...: 2014 Revelations NOT Resolutions: I have never really been one for New Years resolutions. In fact, resolutions kind of make you feel guilty for not doing "what you said...

2014 Revelations NOT Resolutions

2013-12-31T23:17:00.000-05:00

I have never really been one for New Years resolutions. In fact, resolutions kind of make you feel guilty for not doing "what you said you would do" last year or the year before. Right? So, I am going to call this my discussion around New Year revelations...and I am sure I will discuss other things other than my own, quite interesting, revelations. ...maybe...
I want to live in the moment, and not keep worrying about what I did or didn't do. The past 3 years have not been easy, but I do think it is important to continually try to keep moving into that next stage of your life, that next moment that might change who you are for the better...even a little.
My revelation is, as my children get older, I need to try and enjoy those brief moments when they remind me of their innocence and their growth as people simultaneously. I need to, sometimes, give myself a break and realize that they are resilient and I have taught them many many things over the years to help them become better people. But, my other revelation is, my children are growing up in a world that is much different than mine was. We played kick the can, watched a t.v show here and there, bought a cassette to tape music from the radio, and we couldn't rewind. We used our imaginations, we were creative, we were appreciative, we didn't expect things to happen "right now". Because, that was our world, and the only world we knew...our children have a much different world now...and parenting in this world is absolutely NOTHING like what our Great Grandparents, Grandparents, and or even parents ever dealt with. They may understand social media, kids on Facebook, YouTube, etc., but they will never understand the struggles of parenting inside these arenas. As a parent, you don't just have to manage and handle what type of "party" your kid is going to down the street...you have to teach them early about the "birds and the bees", explain that even though they are having fun posting pretty "selfies" on their Facebook walls and giving out their personal information to "friends" that at the same time some weirdo a few blocks away is tracking the GPS attached to your pics from your "Smartphone" and may try to track you down and or even "stalk" you. People, used to say, "well Hon, you don't want to scare your poor kids to death and make them trust no one!"...but in today's world parents have no choice but to scare the living crap out of their kids, so that they understand the seriousness of the issue. It is so incredibly hard.
So, jumping off of my soapbox, my revelation is to appreciate and savor those precious moments with my children when they are not wrapped up with social media and outside influences. My revelation is, to make it clear that, my responsibility as a parent is to protect my children from evil and teach them how to become wonderful wonderful people in our society.
Other revelations...why can't we just love who we are and where we are...for now...do we have to have bigger? Do we have to have better?...Because, in the end...on judgement day...do you think anyone will care about how fat or skinny you are, how much your house cost?, do you have the new IPhone?, what brand of clothing do you wear? how much money you make, how many friends you have on Facebook, etc etc...it is so stupid...and the real revelation is, we all get pulled into the nonsense...and it wears us down if we let it.
You know, I could stand to lose a few pounds, I could drink more water and eat more vegetables...coulda, woulda, shoulda....I keep trying to work on what I think I should or maybe what the media says I should...right?
Sooooo, maybe this year you can have a revelation!....think about very simple things that are important to you...and maybe not what the media and or others around you think should be important to you...and then peel away the small layers piece by piece and be happy for your small revelations in your life...your small but significant accomplishments that make a difference in someone else's life and also in yours...simple...
Peace and Happy Revelations in 2014!!

Kinect yourself a 3D printed mini-me with Shapify - 3D Printing Industry

2013-11-27T09:17:00.001-05:00

Kinect yourself a 3D printed mini-me with Shapify - 3D Printing Industry

Disney and 3D Printing Via Star Wars - 3D Printing Industry

2013-10-31T10:24:00.001-04:00

Disney and 3D Printing Via Star Wars - 3D Printing Industry

HOW TO SURVIVE THE DAILY BULLY APOCALYPSE

2013-09-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

...HOW TO SURVIVE THE DAILY BULLY APOCALYPSE...

I recently posted this on Facebook...GREAT idea that my daughter came up with...I think you will like it A LOT!!! .....

****************************************
IF YOU OR YOUR KIDS ARE BEING BULLIED, YOU WILL LOVE THIS IDEA, SO PLEASE READ THIS POST AND SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE!! :) - (if you are one of Brooke's friends please please read this...I think you will like it A LOT!!!! :) **
I was so proud of my daughter Brooke Smith the other day, because I guess there are 2 girls at her school (they are also in 7th grade and hang with the so called "popular" crowd) and every day they either call Brooke "FAT" OR they call her the "B" word! So much for the anti-bullying campaign (looks like it needs a little work)!.. But anyway, I have always taught Brooke to stand up for herself, but to always "take the high road" because, for example, if you just shout nasty names back to people like these girls, then you are doing the same thing they are and you are stooping to their level in a sense...SO, the other day Brooke came home from school, and I asked her how everything went...and she said "Well, those 2 girls called me the "B" word again, and I just turned around, looked at them, and said...thank you so much for saying that because I AM a Beautiful, Intelligent, Thoughtful, Caring, Human Being! Have a lovely day!" !!!BAM!!!! Those 2 "popular" 7th graders at Milford Junior High School haven't said anything to her since then. SO...to all the young girls dealing with this BULLYING CRAP out there...do what Brooke did and throw it back in their faces b/c bullies HATE it when you "kill them with kindness & a little sarcasm" ..what they want you to do is get upset, yell bad words back at them, and start crying!! Bullies get really irritated when they don't get what they want from you and eventually they should stop bothering you. REMEMBER - one of the only reasons why kids bully other kids is b/c they have low self-esteem and or they are jealous...sometimes they just do a good job of hiding their pain or they show their pain by calling other kids bad words etc..
SO....I hope all of Brooke's friends read this and take her lead if they are getting bullied by anyone. It would be awesome to hear kids start responding to bullies the way Brooke did instead of cussing and screaming etc!
SO...to the two 7th grade girls who are doing this (b/c I am sure Brooke is not the only girl they are doing this to...) ...I honestly hope you can find some help to work on your own self-esteem and confidence...but until then....BAM! ;)
Love you Brooke, and I am very very proud of you for being strong! :) -Mom

The REDS wrote me back...

2013-08-21T01:11:00.001-04:00

I decided to write you...and I couldn't believe when you wrote me back! Once I got your letter, I read it to my son and told him what to expect next. My son, was so excited...the passion that he has now was about to become more and more of a reality in his growing mind. So we went to the big event, and unlike a lot of things, in my life lately, it went like clockwork! Thank God and the universe! We found the best place to park, and we got to section 132 in record time. As we stood there waiting for the hero to run out and stretch, I took my permanent marker and wrote "Ian and Mom 13" on the hard cement wall. Ian said" MOM don't do that!" but I went ahead and did it because I knew that I could always tell him, "that was our great day at the game...when we waited for that autograph, to catch a foul ball, to be in the moment..." Some day, he might be able to go back and show his kids the day that he went to "the game"! What a wonderful day!

Clearly Defined and Unquestionable

2013-07-10T12:01:00.002-04:00

Transparency...the definition of that word is "to allow light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen". And distinctly means "clearly defined or unquestionable"...
Okay...so if you are transparent, then you are clear about your issues, your reasons, your intentions, and the story behind your words...right?

It is simple...but we make it complicated...

2013-03-14T22:42:00.001-04:00

He always let me go out the door first, even if he was really in a hurry. He smiled when the rest of us felt like there was nothing to smile about. He loved a good back scratch. He always loved everyone unconditionally. He protected me. He stood up for me, when I was naive. He laid with me, in front of the fire place, when I was sad and alone. He was smart. He was intuitive. The way to his heart was through his belly. He questioned new people that came into my life, but he quickly warmed up to the truly good and kind people. He woke me up at 4 am in the morning when something important was on his mind. He took care of all the babies. In fact, he would sit and watch the babies for hours and let me know if something was wrong. The babies loved him. The babies would jump on him and play like he was a playground...it never bothered him and he never got upset. In fact, the babies may have learned a life lesson in patience from him. He took care of his older sister. He loved her. He missed her. She was stubborn, but he helped her find her way when she felt lost. He was always smiling...he smiled even when he didn't feel very good. He was a leader, and he led by example. He was big, but he had a gentle and kind soul. He questioned the new ones, but they soon learned that he was just being overprotective, and once he got past that feeling they would find a new best friend. He was my best friend. He was my rock, and he got me through some of the worst times in my life. He just had to be there...and he was. He had many good buddies, and they relied on him to lead them, guide them, and keep them in line. They all depended on him...and then they were confused. The babies got to play with him on a Sunday...and he smiled and was happy to see them...he was happy that they were safe and happy too. The babies showed him so much respect, but that was a surprise. It is amazing to watch their intellect and intuition. The babies miss him now...they all miss him. He was my alarm clock. He was my security blanket. He was my big, cuddly, bear. He was the laid back version of me that I wished so much that I could be. I envied him. He loved his Daddy Rick. His Daddy took very good care of him...Always...in the good times and in the bad. He loved him with all of his heart and soul. You can learn a lot from a life...he was simple...he cared about others...he watched out for others and protected them...he led the babies in the right direction...he watched after his sisters, brothers, friends, nephews, and nieces. He loved his Mommy and Daddy. He always smiled and tried to stay positive, even when he wasn't feeling too good. Gosh...you can learn so much from one life...it is amazing. If he would have truly understood what the Golden Rule said...well...you would have to wonder if he might have wrote it himself. He didn't believe that it was complicated. We make it complicated. He treated others as he would want to be treated...and that was it...it was simple in his eyes...
So, we could all, including myself, learn a lesson from my Chocolate Lab..."Chubs"...(also called Scraps, Big Brown Bear, and Chocolate Thunder)...it is so simple, but you complicate it...Chubs passed away recently, and we miss him so so much...We love you Chubs, and we won't forget what you taught us.

What is your "it"?...............

2013-01-18T18:11:00.000-05:00

It crept up your outside steps and waited on your porch...it watched you sip your coffee in your favorite rocking chair. You were enjoying your life and the sun hitting your face...that warmth made you feel secure...it made you feel strong and in control...but it kept watching, waiting, and longing for your moment of weakness...
You never saw it coming...you knew that you needed help, support, comfort, and love...but your vision of this was very different then what was waiting...
If someone would just listen to you, take you seriously...understand that your brain doesn't work like theirs does...you can't explain it and reaching out seems so hard and you are too proud to admit weakness...any weakness...
So, as you are pondering over how much help you need but don't feel comfortable asking for...it moves in closer...
It is finally on your porch and slipping through your front door...it is sitting on your couch...offering promises of happiness and peace...but something tells you this is just a facade...aren't you too smart to fall for these words that seem too good to be true?...you thought you were...
Now it is sitting at your dining room table and opening your cabinets...using your glasses...drinking your water...you reach out and try to stay away from it or the cloud that starts to surround you from it...but you cannot escape...
It keeps coming, even when you bat it away and too many people around you "like" it, so they make it feel normal...but it isn't normal...mainly because you do not know what "normal" is...
But if you ignore "it" "it" may slowly go away...fade away...find something good to replace "it"...then move forward and appreciate each day as much as you can...
What is your "it"?

Invisible Society

2013-01-06T11:16:00.003-05:00

Does anyone else feel invisible?

I don't mean like Superhero invisible special powers...I mean, I am in the grocery store, and I am going down the aisle collecting my goods...there is a lady standing in the middle of the aisle fingering her coupons, and I get right in front of her with my cart. I wait patiently, and I was thinking..."well, maybe she can't see well or is hard of hearing...so I will just wait." She never acknowledges me, so I finally say "excuse me Miss, can I scoot around you really quick?" She looks at me, roles her eyes, says nothing, and barely makes any effort to move her cart over. And as I try and scrunch by her, she says something with disgust under her breath.
I just don't get it. These days it seems like some people just have no idea what is going on around them, and I think in some cases they don't care. Our society has turned hard over the last few years. There is just a lack of care, concern, basic values, manners, and awareness out there. It almost makes you want to hunker down in your home and never leave.
I have always felt like it was very important to "pay it forward" and do at least one good deed every day if possible. It not only could help someone else, but it can make you feel like you are making a difference too. But even with people doing things like that daily, it still feels like our society is getting angrier, more frustrated, sad, and almost hopeless. It makes sense, that a lot of this change is coming from our current recession, lack of jobs, and constant worry. And, in all honesty, I also experience this struggle and I have over the last three years. However, there are certain people that I see everyday that are facing these same struggles, but they are still able to carry a smile on their face. Amazing, in a lot of cases.
But...this societal change is somehow a little different in my opinion...people don't hold doors anymore, they don't say thank you, they are not patient, and they almost run you down with their car in the Kroger parking lot as they are barreling through the spaces. It is like tunnel vision and complete lack of concern for others around them...Oh! and then they get mad if you confront them...even if it was clearly their fault.
Some would say it is too much technology...people talking on their cell phones at stupid times, texting and walking or driving, browsing on their IPad while waiting in line...whatever. I have always heard that we have too many different forms of technology these days, that people don't even have to talk to each other anymore...and some day actually talking may not be a form of human communication. Well...I think we are on our way...
I am hoping that it will change, but it is going to take a lot of work and effort...What are your thoughts?
Peace.

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2013-01-02T11:31:00.001-05:00

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Invisible Society

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