Reason, Season or a Lifetime

This is one of my favorite poems.  I remember when I when I first read it and how real it's words felt.  I remember subconsciously putting the people in my life in categories.  How true it is that all people are either a reason, a season, or a lifetime....

A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.


When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.


Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.


Sometimes they die.

Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.


LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.


Author Unknown

Christmas Lists

It's that time.  For weeks, more than a week now, I have been asking the kids to let me know what their biggest wants are this Christmas.  Last year, I told them to give me 3 things that they really wanted.  This year, I allowed them to increase the number to 10.  I think it gives Santa a better variety to choose from. 

Miss Missy wants an array of things.  She has been wanting a new B.F.C. Girls doll.  She got one for her birthday and says she need a friend.  A friend and a bed.  She is also wanting a Princess and Me Aurora Doll, which is a little costly at 50 bucks.  I'm just not sure that is going to pass.

Cam is hoping for a hamster.  I'm thinking this may be doable.  I love animals and, though I have had guinea pigs, a rabbit, a huge turtle my dad brought home from the wild and some dogs, a hamster I did not have.  Well at least not one I can remember, because according to my mom, when I was really young I had hamsters that were eaten by our family cat.  He is also REALLY wanting an animal habitat for a frog or crickets or some other creatures.  He likes animals and this would be a great educational project for him.

CJ is looking to get a microscope.  He's a science nut.  I think he would love seeing how things work and how things grow.  I'm considering getting him a few other things with a science theme where he can do projects and sciencey stuff.  A little over my head, so maybe he can teach his ol' mom a few things.  He also wants a new set of speed stacks.  Has this been a craze for any of you?  A few years ago, this cup stacking thing was introduced to the kids in their gym class.  Every year they have a session in PE where they practice cup stacking.  It's really amazing how fast some of these kids are.  This year, Chris was one of the 6 finalist for the 5th grade.  Although he didn't win the title.  He is pretty good at it and wants a new set to replace his old, broken set.

Of course there were more things on their list.  Neither of the boys made it to 10.  Miss Missy, ravishing the Toys R Us Big Book, copied all she could from the pink girlie pages and asked if she could go over 10.

Now, I guess it's on to the weeding out and decision-making process.  The deal catching and hustle and bustle in the stores.  Oh how I love the holidays..... hmmm.

Does my skin define who I am?

I was surfing Facebook, like I do often, and I came across a post by BlackFolksThink.com stating this:

BlackFolkzThink.com

Hey Black Folkz...got a question...let's talk about titles. I hear a lot of people say that they are this before they are black. For example, ,I am a blogger who happens to be black. I am the opposite...I am a black blogger. Why is it hard for people to be proud of being a black and then their title. I hope I am making sense.

 While there were several responding with their own opinions, I decided to post my own: 

I think that in order for us to stop being a nation that is divided by our race, we have to stop teaching our children to see color. I am proud to be who I am. I am black, but at the same time I don't want to define myself by the color of my skin. I do not teach my children to see color among themselves and their friends. They know that they are black, and they cherish that, but I think that if we want our nation to stop seeing us by the color of our skin and start seeing us as equals then we have to do the same.

 So there you have it.  I stick by this comment, because I honestly believe that while I am proud of my brown skin, it does not define who I am.  I mean, this is what our ancestors fought for, right?  All comments welcome on this one.

The cold, the grades and the turkey!

The cold weather has kicked in.  Guess who is spending more time in the house!

Yes, it seems that when the cooler months are among us, I tend to hibernate a bit.  I use to go out almost everyday, just to get some sun or to wear a cute pair of strappy heels.  More for the heels... and the cute tank tops.

Today, I have been in the house, enjoying a few cups of hot chocolate.

And I just polished off a PB&J sandwich, which by the way was so very awesome.

While I am loving being in my blanket and blogging on the couch, Ginger, my Summa Dog (summa this, summa that), who is normally only outside long enough to take a quick tinkle, does not even scratch at the back door to come in.  I mean, rather than clawing to get in, she is now clawing to get out every 10 minutes.  She is usually such an indoor dog that she cries on the back porch when no ones opens the door for her.

Not anymore.  The weather is cool and she is covered in fur.  Perfect for her.

It's been a fairly boring week.  I'm not use to not having anything to do.  I just finished my 2nd Semester at Kaplan University (YAY ME!!!)

I got a 98.9 in my Composition Class!  YAY MEEEE!

And get this....

I got a 99.4 in my Math Class!!

Me?  Math?

I'm so SMORT!

So, my classes were out for a week and start back on Wednesday.  I'm quite anxious because I haven't had much to do this week and didn't really know what to do with myself without being loaded down with homework.

This is weird because I never in million years woulda thunk I would actually want school to start back!

This is the same chick who got a 20% in gym in middle school!



AND, to end this post, here is Tom Turkey. 

Miss Missy's Kindergarten class was asked to disguise Tom Turkey so that he wouldn't be eaten for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Here is Miss Missy's:

Yes that's a real sponge!

Awesome!

Do you ever read your old posts?

Do you ever read your old posts?  Today, on my LinkWithin showed an adorable picture of my daughter with a Tiara on.  I had to read it.  It was a post last year right before Halloween where Miss Missy realized that the Party City sales paper had no "brown" kids on their costume page.

Read here.

#2 is so great!

Okay, so I spent the day at the school yesterday, first doing my regular volunteering for Miss Missy's Kindergarten class, then moved on the Kid 2's class to help out with whatever was needed.  She is so great.  I really love his teacher.  This is her 2nd year teaching this child.  She moved up to third grade this year and I jumped at the opportunity to have her again.  She taught Kid 1in 2nd grade, too.  AND, I had her to sign a promissary note that she would not retire until she had Miss Missy.  That was BEFORE the orders were dropped for Arizona.  (BOOOO)

So yesterday, she had Kid 2 pick up the library books from the class and choose a partner to help him return the stack to the library.  He chose and was happy to roll the books down the hallway on one of the rolling chairs.  When they left, Mrs. B came over to me and said,

"I'm so proud of Cam for choosing her."

She went on the explain that NO ONE ever picks this little girl.  She said the girl is quiet and shy.  On top of that, she was obviously a little overweight.  We all remember what it was like for shy children that had ANYTHING different about them.  Some of us may have even been that child at one point or another.

Well, when he came back, she gave him a HOOT LOOT ticket.  (A ticket given when you are caught being Prepared, Polite and Positive)

She asked him did he know why he was getting a ticket and took him into the hallway to explain it to him.

How great is my child, you ask?

Well, when she came back in, she told me that she asked him, "Why did you pick Sally? (not really her name... I don't think)"

He told her.  "Well, I wanted to pick some one to help me that I have never picked before.  Everyone should have a chance to help."

Seeeeeee!  Isn't he just the coolest child ever??  He has such a good heart.  He is the one that gives me the most lip, but he is also the one who's heart is way bigger than... well, his HEAD! 

Don't tell him I said that!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Hubs' first time dressing up for Halloween

He stole the show as

MADEA!

ROCK THE VOTE! ROCK THE VOTE!!! BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!

It's election day!!!  

As many of you know that have followed me for a while, I am SOOOOOOOO not afraid to voice my opinion on politics on my blog.


For that matter, I will speak of practically any controversial matter that I see fit, because... well... it's my blog!  It's my opinion! 


Soooooooooooooooooooo

ROCK THE VOTE!  ROCK THE VOTE !!!!!!!!  

BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!!!!!

It is strongly believed that the democrats can't, but I have the faith that when they say NO we can make it happen!  So if you haven't already (I voted early on Thursday), get out make make your voice count!


Here's a little morning inspiration for all of you!

WAKE UP EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!