New Definition of Super Mom- FELICIA JACKSON

Posted on September 29, 2008 by cin

Did you all get a chance to watch Extreme Home Makeover last night? This woman, Felicia Jackson is not only raising a huge family and smashing obstacles along the way, but she is doing an AMAZING job and setting a pretty high bar for the rest of us!I did not watch any television last year except American Idol. I haven’t seen Grey’s Anatomy in years and I have no idea what is going on with the Housewives. I decided to record all the season premieres last night and see if anything interested me. I still haven’t watched DH or B&S, but I could not take my eyes off Extreme Home Makeover. And I could not stop crying, of course.

I don’t know who watched it and who didn’t, but I just have to talk about this woman today. Felicia Jackson. Felicia Jackson of Poolesville, Maryland had four kids and a husband. Felicia’s Sister had nine kids. When she went into the hospital to have her tenth baby Felicia’s Sister learned she had cancer. She died ten months later. Before she died she asked Felicia to care for her ten children. Felicia promised she would keep them together.

That was four years ago.

Since then Felicia’s husband has left her. Felicia lost her job because with fourteen kids at home she could not meet the demands of a full time job. No landlords will rent to her because of the 14 kids. She applied for aid but there was none available for a family her size. She moved the kids into a hotel and that’s where they have been living, this family of 15. The youngest is 4 and the oldest is 16.

The community where they live deeded Felicia a nice piece of property with a condemned house on it. Ty Pennington and his crew tore that house down and put a big beautiful brick beauty up in it’s place. The plot of land just happens to be across the street from the cemetery and Felicia’s Sister’s grave can be seen from the house. Here’s a tissue.

So Extreme Home Makeover always does incredible things for people and we are always touched by the hearts and stories of the families involved. But as a mother, Felicia has captured my heart and my attention. Regardless of how bad things have been, she kept going. She never buckled under any challenge. She spoke almost with an understanding tone when she explained why her husband left. She said he loved all the kids but it was just too much for him. Hmmm. Yet it wasn’t too much for her.

Here’s the really impressive part. Felicia is not just getting by with these 14 kids, she is EXCELLING! The oldest boys are 16 and they said the most important thing they can do to help Felicia is be positive role models for the rest of the kids. The teenage girls get picked on at school for being “homeless”. But they walk tall and speak with confidence and charm. You know, I could not get my two kids to stand next to each other long enough to take pictures of them together at different attractions at Sea World. Yet these 14 kids were always in order. They moved around together, they were kind to one another, they worked together and they were just so well behaved.

I don’t mean to sound like I am comparing her angelic brood to my hellions, really. My kids are not bad. My point is what an amazing job Felicia has done with these kids under extraordinary circumstances. In addition to working and trying to make ends meet, finding a home, and trying to stay a step ahead of protective services, Felicia has found time to nurture every one of these kids so that they are thriving and have all become each other’s best friends.

The whole show was based around this very special “promise” that Felicia made to her Sister. The most beautiful part was the project Ty did for her based on the “promises” he collected from the 14 kids. Each kid wrote down promises like, “I promise to be there when you need me”, “I promise to help with the younger kids”, and “I promise to get my grades up”. The promises were made into a comforter for Felicia’s bed and it was so simple and beautiful.

My hat goes off to Felicia Jackson of Poolesville, Maryland and her family for being an amazing example of what it means to be a family and to be a Mom.

A Parade Without Candy?!

Posted on September 25, 2008 by cin

Once again I find myself banging my head against my desk in amazement that I chose this school district. My daughter’s elementary school principal is way too high strung and controlling. I had to cut myself off from volunteering and such because being involved was too stressful. Last year while expressing my concern that my Son’s ADHD needs were not being met I was “reminded” that we are school of choice. I have chosen to ignore the threatening content of the statement because my kids are too deep and settled to pull them out because I think the administration are weenies.

Here’s the latest. There is no candy allowed at the parade this weekend for Homecoming. Sari’s walking in the parade for student council otherwise we would skip it all together. The district has decided that candy at a parade is too dangerous.

I did some googling to see if there have been any incidents of death by parade candy. After searching through several pages I did find one. A nine year old was run over by a parade float. This poor little guy was IN the parade, though, walking beside the float and reaching to GET more candy to pass out. The only similarity between that tragedy and the reasons for the current candy ban is LACK OF SUPERVISION. A 9 year old probably shouldn’t have been walking the parade route alone and reaching into a moving vehicle.

I will be the first to admit that the parade has been very irritating the last couple of years. There were kids running from the side walk and up to close to the floats. My kids were not allowed to do it. They wanted to, but they remained on the curb and jumped for candy thrown their way.

So because there are parents out there who either dropped their kids off and left or sat back idly while their kids were constantly corralled by other people, the rest of us have to suffer. I find this to be a lazy way to deal with the situation.

They say they are going to beef up security and use cones for crowd control to enforce the no candy rule. ??? Why not beef up security and use cones to enforce that kids stay in the designated area.

My district is the snootiest, cliquiest, richest one in the county. Do you mean to tell me that they cannot afford some rope to wrap around those cones for HOMECOMING!? Ugh. Getting fired up over here. And I’m supposed to be not saying anything negative for 7 days as per yesterday’s post! Now I have to start all over again. Dangit!

Have you ever been to a parade without candy? It’s just about the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Now they can “pass out” bracelets and the like, that is perfectly acceptable.

If they can “pass out” (hand to hand, no throwing) bracelets and other non candy items, why can’t they “pass out” candy?
I have already been nickled and dimed to the tune of almost $200 since school started. Do they really think I am now going to go BUY loads of beads and string and spends hours MAKING trinkets to pass out?

Oh! AND the district also claims that it is not only a safety issue but a health issue because candy is not healthy for the kids. Interesting. Funny that my daughter’s elementary school has a soda machine with Mountain Dew and last year in middle school my son came home hopped up the fundraiser candy he bought from his teachers every day.

Parade candy is not really that big of a deal, I realize. To me, it is just the point and the long line of nonsense that precedes it. To my kids, though, it will be pretty disappointing.

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this. Especially if you agree with me. If you don’t it’s okay. But I will be including you in my special GRINCH post for the holidays.

Thanks Kristytsirk for the pic!

What I am Reading: Eating for Energy by Yuri Elkaim

Posted on September 24, 2008 by cin

I think I told you guys that I found this cool site that sends you a book free for you to read and review on your blog or website. Does that sound familiar? Anyway, I received my first book and started reading it this week and I LOVE it. I have to share.

This is not actually my review. I have only read about 10 pages but it is so interesting and fun I was wishing I had someone to talk about it with.

Duh! That’s you!

So the book is about achieving your best health and fitness through eating plant-based whole foods. So far there is no meat bashing going on, though, just lots of POSITIVE good talk.

In addition to the good content I like the format of the book. Each chapter ends with a set of “Action Steps”. The first chapter ended with taking pics of yourself, setting goals and the like. But it is the chapter 2 Action Steps that really grabbed my attention. They go something like this…

Spend at least 5 minutes each morning expressing sincere gratitude for everything you have in your life.

Now I am a big fan of the gratitude journal. I try to get one going on all my blogs but I can’t get anybody to join in with me. What’s up with that? Don’t you have anything to be thankful for? Anyway, Yuri follows it up by saying that until you are grateful for what you have, you won’t get anymore. WOW! It does seem like it works out that way. Good jolt from the author, huh?

Now #2 really got my attention.

2. I challenge you to not complain for a full 7 days!

He then goes on to elaborate a bit. Do you think you could go 7 days without complaining. Yuri says if you catch yourself complaining you have to start all over with day 1.

3. With absolute conviction affirm the following to yourself each day.

“I am responsible for my glowing health. I create my health and deserve every ounce of it!”

“I am whole, perfect, energetic, joyful, harmonious, and loving.”

Geez Louise I am feeling better about myself already and I haven’t even gotten into the parts about eating right.

Like I said, it’s number 2 that got me. Although I am a very much go with the flow, laid back, easy to please gal, I find myself complaining a lot lately. I am going to take the 7 day no complain challenge. Anybody else want to give it a try?

In the meantime, you can check out the book if you like.

Mommies SAVING Money

Posted on September 22, 2008 by cin

The last Mommies Making Money post got some attention and that’s when the idea of a double threat hit me. Mommies Saving Money. Making money and saving money at the same time would be fabulous, wouldn’t it?

I’m sure you don’t need me to inform you that this economy is in the toilet. I’m not a stats person, as far as remembering and quoting them goes. But I do enjoy looking at them. I like watching the stats for my blogs go up every month, that’s for sure. And thank you very much! But I don’t like economical type stats. Or real estate stats. You look at them, see the arrows and trends pointing downward and you know we’re in a pickle. No fun, there.

When I was single I used coupons a lot. I used to cut them out for Mom when I was a kid… when I got my first apartment, the highlight of my week was running out to get the paper on Sunday, grabbing a My Favorite Muffin, and sprawling out on the floor of my kitchen/living room/dining room, (It was a small apartment!) and clipping. It reminded me of clipping for Mom, but it also got me excited about being a big girl and saving money. Getting the apartment guaranteed that I didn’t have any to spend, so making the dollar stretch became the substitute for shopping at the mall.

Somewhere along the lines, though,I started making more money and having extra to spare. I didn’t continue clipping coupons or shopping for deals justifying that “my time is worth more money than that”. What a moron. I thought I was so smart and evolved, and in some ways I was, but do you ever look back in wonder at your own naivete?

Too bad I lost my coupon excitement all those years ago. But it’s never too late! I am getting back to the basics and adding coupon clipping and bargain hunting to my money-making-mama strategies.

Pillsbury has $27.30 worth of savings available in September and it’s all the really good stuff… frozen cookie dough, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, pastries, pizza rolls, Progresso products, Old El Paso, cereal, yogurt bars, Yo-Plus yogurt and more!

Kellogg’s has a full rebate on Frosted Mini Wheats right now.

Kraft has Oreo ice cream free with the purchase of $15 of cake goodies. PLUS they have those super cute Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts there, sponsored by Jell0, Cool Whip, and Philadelphia cream cheese.

There! That should get us started.

Do you clip coupons? Have you always? Share with us your dollar stretching tips!

Demand Studios Provides some Stay at Home Money for Mama

Posted on September 18, 2008 by cin

I have really neglected the MOMMIES MAKING MONEY section of my blog. The problem is it requires thought and planning and you all know that is not my specialty. I am not sure what my specialty is exactly, but it is not that. Nachos and Mojitos are my specialty, yes, but that doesn’t really apply here. Hmmm. Losing focus, I am obviously good at that. Anyway, as I was saying, I have not offered you the stay at home revenue tips that I had planned so let’s focus on that today.

Demand Studios is a company that will hire you to write informative articles. Most of the articles pay $15 but there is also a new format that pays $5 because it is a much easier article. You can choose from the titles they offer or you can submit your own titles for approval.

When I write my own titles I am usually done between twenty and thirty minutes. Not bad coin. Their titles are so bizarre and difficult to me, though, that it has taken me an hour to complete some of them. So I concentrate on suggesting my own.

Demand Studios provides content for many websites such as E-How and About.com. There are several different styles of articles but it is easy to keep up with format and guidelines because Demand Studios provides a template to guide you.

I was prompted to write about Demand Studios today because I ran across a discussion about how unhappy some writers had become with it because payments had become slow and topics were lame. They did have a brief period where it was obvious there were some changes going on at the company at what has emerged is a better, more user friendly company.

I did notice that for a while it was taking extra time to get approved and get paid but have been thrilled with how my articles are now being approved and paid within a week lately. I get a little something in my PayPal account every Friday. I love that!

So if you have had trouble with Demand Studios in the past, now is a good time to give them another shot. And if you would like to write a few articles a week for some extra money they are a good, reliable company to work with.

Positive Discipline for Out of Control Kids

Posted on September 15, 2008 by cin

Here is a snippet from a new website I found.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or both… On this web site, I’m going to show you how to solve defiance, whining, and all the other “problem” behaviors children and teens use to drive you crazy! And yes, you can do it all without ever blaming or punishing them!

I didn’t actually find it, it was recommended to me by another Blogger Mom.

If you spend any time researching kids and behavior on the internet you surely have come across a wide variety of articles on discipline and punishment. People are passionate about their beliefs on this topic.

Almost everyone SAYS they do not spank their kids. It is very UN-PC. I decided to be the honest one and admit in a forum that I have spanked my kids before, that I don’t feel bad about it, but I would prefer to find positive means of discipline. Positive is always better.

I took some polite heat which I expected. The idea being that it is disrespectful and demoralizing to swat your child.

Another parent spoke his mind and the replies he got were a bit less polite. Understandably so because his comment represented the complete opposite end of the spectrum. That we are raising a generation of brats with all our feel good touchy feely stuff. I’ll be honest, I totally get where he is coming from. I am freaked out by some behaviors I see in children!

But here’s the thing. When I see those ill behaved kids, I don’t know who gets spanked and who doesn’t. We also don’t know what’s going on. Right after the adoption my kids were extremely unruly in public, constantly testing me to see what I could handle. And what about that story from Stephen Covey with the kids running wild on the train bothering everybody while the Dad seemed not to notice. They were on their way home from the hospital where their Mom had just died. How were they supposed to be acting?

You just never know what’s going on in someone’s life or what is causing the behavior. Instead of judging, how about we be supportive? Offer Mom some assistance. Or if you have nothing to offer the situation, just move on.

By that same token, I don’t want to be told how I can and cannot raise my kids. We are talking about swats not beatings here, of course we do not have the right to abuse our kids. But I personally do not believe that spanking is bad. I do, however, believe their are better options and whenever we can handle a situation with a positive form of discipline the results will be better.

There’s a super article coming up in Blog Carnival in October about the harms of spanks and swats. The author seems to have had some different experiences with spanking growing up than I did. I started to see some things differently.

I will highlight the article when the issue comes out. It choked me up and motivated me all the more to seek positive forms of discipline and strategies for every situation. That’s why I was so thrilled to find this website about POSITIVE DISCIPLINE . I recommend everyone with kids to check it out!

A Moment of Clarity: I am NOT Cool.

Posted on September 15, 2008 by cin

Have you ever experienced a moment where you became painfully aware of your age in a way you had not before? Without thinking we often blame aches, pains, and body failures on age. “Oh I must be getting old.” But that’s not what I mean. I mean where you become aware that you not just older than your kids, but are not really as cool as you’ve fooled yourself into thinking all this time.

I had a moment like that this weekend.

Who watched the MTV video awards?

I have never stopped being in touch with music. I love all kinds. I have had very few “what in the world?” moments as new music and artists emerge. I am rarely shocked.

I missed the awards last year. Admittedly my musical expertise has decline since becoming a parent because I just don’t have the time to pay attention like I have in the past. But although I have not been on the cutting edge of music I have been able to catch up pretty quickly and enjoy what is being played.

This weekend I watched some of the awards and was bored out of my skull! It was only a highlight show, to be fair. But that makes it even worse. These were viewer rated favorite moments. I didn’t know ANYBODY! Where was Madonna? Where was Justin Timberlake? I did see that Paris Hilton was there but who cares? Is John Mayer no longer relevant? Cold Play? Panic at the Disco? I heard Brittney Spears was there but I didn’t see her. I did see Lindsay Lohan… that was a familiar face but I barely recognized her… and when was the last time she had a hit?

It wasn’t really the boredom that got me though. And here is the part that is going to really age me? Who is the Lil Wayne person? EVERYBODY loved him. Michael Phelps was even singing his praise. I watched his performances and I gotta tell ya… I didn’t get it. I was actually confused and trying to figure out what I was missing. And I’m not a prude! But I was all the more confused by the fact that someone who wears their pants BELOW their ass would be wearing Ralph Lauren undies instead of Calvin Klein. The whole experience was just very disturbing to me and I don’t know whether to immerse myself in MTV or to just accept that my hip time is done and move on.

You know, I honestly don’t even know where all these new artists have come from considering MTV doesn’t even play videos anymore.

So tell me, are you current with today’s music? And when did you first realize you might not be cool? Am I just an inch away from telling my kids to “turn down that rock and roll rubbish”?

Friday Fun: Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Posted on September 12, 2008 by cin

I love writing Friday’s blogs. The others sometimes feel deadline-ish and require some planning. I have reserved Fridays, though, for whatever I find that is fun. While looking for a clip from the Ellen Degenerous show I ran across this clip that is so sweet and precious it made me cry.

I am so happy that the new season of Ellen has started. She is my prozac. Over the summer I started thinking that although the Ellen show is a bright spot in my day, I no longer NEEDED my dose because I seemed to be doing fine on my own.

Wrong! Silly me. I was doing okay because I was not juggling as much. Now, being back at the real estate office and on the school schedule while still pursuing my writing jobs I am feeling those stressors coming back on. Ellen to the rescue. She has been so great this week with the wedding photos and the George Clooney trap. Michelle Obama was on with the Jonas Brothers. She’s had Olympic gold medalists on already and of course Pam Anderson who is so silly you can’t help but love her. Flat belly, perfect butt and all.

It was while trying to find the best moment among it all that I ran across this clip from “Britain’s Got Talent”. Simon Cowel is one of the judges and he’s as foul as ever until this 6 year old song bird takes the stage.

With the exception of American Idol I don’t watch any of these shows… the Dancing With the Stars, America’s Got Talent, The Bachelor, Big Brother, The Bachelorette — have I forgotten any? I don’t even know if Britain’s Got Talent is aired in States. I am guessing that many of you have not already seen this clip so it will be a treat.

Any fans of the show out there? Is this a new or old clip? How well did she do in the competition?

Homework Assignment: Remembering 9/11

Posted on September 11, 2008 by cin

I had so many remarkable photos to choose from for this blog today but instead of one of the damage and violence I chose a peaceful reminder.

My Son’s homework last night was to talk to his Parents about 9/11 and what it meant to them. It seemed easy enough at 3 0′clock when he first mentioned it but was actually difficult several hours later when we sat down to talk about it.

I was on my way to work in Pontiac, about 45 minutes from home, when I heard about the plane crashes. It was very confusing. I couldn’t tell if they were continuing to talk about the same crash or if there had been another. At that time in the early morning, no one really knew what was going on.

While at the office I was visiting that day there was not a radio or tv so we weren’t aware of what was going on until someone called in and said there had been another plane crash. And then another. Suddenly I was scared. It seemed like it was never going to end. I didn’t really like the idea of being near Detroit because it is a big city. I wanted to get home to little old Burton. Burtucky we call it. A much smaller, less target oriented place.

Once home I was immeditely addicted to the television and crying. My Husband got home from work and thought I was nuts. He had been cooped in the factory all day and the news hadn’t really filtered through the plant. He was listening to a book on tape on the way home. He told me it would be okay, that I was surely over reacting.

By the time night came there had not been any crashes for hours but we were afraid to go to sleep. Afraid we weren’t going to wake up.

That was my part of Drew’s assignment. His Dad’s story went way deep into the politics and the (dis)placement of the blame. That the acts of violence were evil and inexcusable, but that although the victims were innocent the United States was not.

I understand and agree with much of what he said. I know that Bin Laden was once on the payroll of the U.S.. I remember hearing that Sadam Hussein was once given a key to the city of Detroit. I understood that we have done our share of “mean things” but I still do not want to hear it in the same conversation that talks about the tragedy and lives lost that day.

I am sure there are interesting discussions going on in classes everywhere today. The politics are important and the issues are dealt with every day. Today I don’t focus on religious differences or government screw ups. I remember that I am lucky to be here, that life is delicate, and I am grateful for another day.

Back to School… Er… I Mean Work!

Posted on September 9, 2008 by cin

Today is my first day back to work since last June and I am so rattled I forgot to post for today!!!

I am fortunate that I am able to do my real estate work from home and avoid the stress and expense of child care. This summer was especially easy, with regards to real estate because A) my Son was old enough to stay home alone and B) well… real estate is in the toilet right now in case you didn’t know, so there really wasn’t much demand for me.

So today I started back at the office. I was nervous last night, which is when I usually post for the next day. I worried, What if I don’t remember how to use the phone system, what if there are so many emails to be loaded when I turn it on that it crashes not only my computer but the whole network, What if I don’t get along with the new guys that started over the summer, What if I am fatter than the last time I was there… I sort of lost track between all the expanding and shrinking of my bootie over the summer and my office is filled with beautiful trim and fit folks (some are snarky!) and I can’t remember what I looked like in June… and the insecurities were running rampant.

So this morning I sprayed on a little tan and dug my perfume out of the bottom of the cabinet floor. I sprayed, delayed, and walked away.

I walked in and was greeted by the warmth of my Girls. Oh how I missed them! The new guys are young, obnoxious, loud, immature and innapropriate and at the desk area right next to me. I am uncomfortable, I can’t focus very well from all the distraction and not having the fun I usually have at the office but I am getting some good phone calls, some leads which might actually turn into sales, and I supposed that is what work is about anyway.

Thank goodness for you guys reading and giving me a reason to blog. I feel the tension leaving my shoulders as I type, and despite my efforts to hold my lips pursed and display no emotion or reaction to the morons to my left, there is a smile creeping across my face.

(To be fair, they aren’t all morons. Just their leader. We had a falling out in June which has resulted in my first grudge ever. So this is what it feels like.)

So what’s on my mind today is can you believe how much Sarah Palin looks like Karen Walker? I thought I was original in making the claim, and really I do believe I was the first one to make the connection, but in looking for pics to prove it I found I am not the only one. The hair, the suits, the pointing… it’s uncanny!

SO MY GIFT to you today is a BEST OF KAREN WALKER clip. Please accept it as my apology and my thank you for helping me relax at work today.

If you love Karen Walker like I do (The Will and Grace theme song is my ring tone!) you should be racing to the play button. If you don’t know her now’s your chance to see what you’ve been missing. If you don’t like her, I’m sure you have other good qualities to make up for your lapse in judgement here.

Her Family Blog

Monthly Archives: September 2008