Today I looked at the calendar and realized that July 1st is Sunday! I went into a panic as I learned that my summer vacation is flying by. I had no plans for this summer, I just wanted to enjoy some R&R and that is exactly what the kids and I have been doing the past three weeks. Thankfully, my mom came to pick them up when they got out of school for the summer and I enjoyed three days of quiet as I finished up at work. I then headed off to AR to pick up my bundles of joy. DQ spent a week with my parents as LP and LB drove me crazy during our week at home. Day 1: they venture outside while I'm on the computer, I go to check on them. I look around the front, no kids, the back, no kids. I call out to them...they are across the street checking out the neighbors puppies. Day 2: they venture out while I'm on the computer, I go to check on them. I look around the the front, no kids, the back, no kids. I call out to them...they are down the street looking for puppies. I decide the cannot go out while I'm on the computer. Day 3 and 4 are spent at the local MS Health Department. Check out my previous blog to learn about that horrific experience.
So we head back to AR the weekend to attend a cousin's funeral and spend the next week there. Thankfully, I took a couple of books with me or I would've died from boredom or possibly would have eaten myself into a coma. There is nothing to do and the closest town with a store/restaurant is twelve miles away. Of course the kids had a blast and I had to look for LB every night. He was out exploring with his cousin and having a good ole time.
We've been home for over a week now and life is grand. I've been catching up on my tv favorites such as Matlock and Murder, She Wrote. We've been staying up late every night to at least 12:00 am and sleeping in daily. By the time we get up and moving it's time to catch the afternoon episode of Matlock. Yesterday, we didn't leave the house one time and today would be the same if I didn't need to get a few groceries.
I'm truly enjoying the summer. I don't have any major trips/vacations planned, so there is no rush. Life is grand!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
He's not Muslim
Okay, I love Barack Obama and I had to come to his defense. I've heard several people say he is a Muslim. He is not! Obama is an Kenyan name. This I learned after reading his biography, Dreams of My Father. Obama tells the story of how important his family has been to his growth and development as a man, particularly as a Black man. Obama's mother is White and hails from Kansas and his father is Black and was from Africa. They met in Hawaii, while both were in graduate school. He understands life from a variety of views, having spent most of his years with his maternal grandparents, but lives life as a Black man. After reading this book, I learned why and how he became such a well rounded person and wants life to be better for ALL Americans. He spent time in third world countries and has seen and experienced poverty in its lowest form.
I encourage all to pick up this book and learn more about this fascinating man. He has a passion that stems from working with grassroots organizations. He has seen the struggles of the poor and working class. I haven't followed him as closely as I should, but I know that he is a man who is working for bipartisan government, so I know his opponents will be many. He has been criticized for many things, including not being Black enough. Go figure...
After reading this book, you will find that he has attended the Church of Christ since his days as a grassroots leader in Chicago. In fact, the title of his second book, The Audacity of Hope stems from a sermon he heard. So, please, before we start judging this man, or any other person, find and read the facts. When we receive messages that are gossip or rumors, check the facts. In fact, I always to to snopes.com to verify information.
Go Barack Obama!
I encourage all to pick up this book and learn more about this fascinating man. He has a passion that stems from working with grassroots organizations. He has seen the struggles of the poor and working class. I haven't followed him as closely as I should, but I know that he is a man who is working for bipartisan government, so I know his opponents will be many. He has been criticized for many things, including not being Black enough. Go figure...
After reading this book, you will find that he has attended the Church of Christ since his days as a grassroots leader in Chicago. In fact, the title of his second book, The Audacity of Hope stems from a sermon he heard. So, please, before we start judging this man, or any other person, find and read the facts. When we receive messages that are gossip or rumors, check the facts. In fact, I always to to snopes.com to verify information.
Go Barack Obama!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Their Eyes...
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston was one of the best books I've ever read. It has been on my "to be read" stack for some time and is also on my summer reading challenge list. I knew I would be in Arkansas for a week and would need something to occupy my time, so I took the book with me. I am so thankful I did so because it was great company for two days! From the introduction by Edwidge Danticat, to the last page, I was hooked. I agree that this book should be considered a classic. The writing has transcended time.
Edwidge Danticat is the author of Breath, Eyes, Memory. I read that book about two years ago and was very impressed with Danticat's writing. It seems that Black women have the same issues wherever we're located on the globe. Danticat's introduction left me ready for Hurston's words. She explained why she considers it one of the best and I have to agree with her. Be sure to pick up the HarperCollins edition for Danticat's words.
As I began reading the book, I had to reread several passages because of the dialect, but adjusted quickly and was reminded that people in the South really do have our own way of speaking. Hurston does an excellent job of capturing the heart of us Southerners. The events take place in the 1930-40s, but are comparable to folks I know in my hometown in Southeast Arkansas.
Janie is the main character and the story follows her life. I loved Janie, she was such a strong woman and lived before her time. Many would say she was an idealist, but I beg to differ. She never gave up on her chance at true love and when it came she was ready. She decided to follow her heart and not the comments of others and for that I admired her. How many times do we worry about what others might think and say, even the year 2000?
So, hopefully, all of the books on my list will be as enjoyable as this and if so, this is going to be a great summer!
Edwidge Danticat is the author of Breath, Eyes, Memory. I read that book about two years ago and was very impressed with Danticat's writing. It seems that Black women have the same issues wherever we're located on the globe. Danticat's introduction left me ready for Hurston's words. She explained why she considers it one of the best and I have to agree with her. Be sure to pick up the HarperCollins edition for Danticat's words.
As I began reading the book, I had to reread several passages because of the dialect, but adjusted quickly and was reminded that people in the South really do have our own way of speaking. Hurston does an excellent job of capturing the heart of us Southerners. The events take place in the 1930-40s, but are comparable to folks I know in my hometown in Southeast Arkansas.
Janie is the main character and the story follows her life. I loved Janie, she was such a strong woman and lived before her time. Many would say she was an idealist, but I beg to differ. She never gave up on her chance at true love and when it came she was ready. She decided to follow her heart and not the comments of others and for that I admired her. How many times do we worry about what others might think and say, even the year 2000?
So, hopefully, all of the books on my list will be as enjoyable as this and if so, this is going to be a great summer!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Is Patience Really a Virtue?
Sometimes I wish I wasn't as nice and patient as I am. For instance, I visited my local health department to get LP ready for school. She needed three immunizations so she would be ready to go in August. I weighed my options, should I take her to the health department or the pediatrician? Schools in MS require that a form from the health department be filled out and signed to verify that that student has completed all immunizations and it's free, so the health department it was.
Day 1: Since we are out for the summer, our days have been very relaxed. We get up and out at 1:00 p.m. and when I get to building, I find it has been moved out to Brown Ferry Road. I have no idea where that is so I call and get the worst directions in America. I just drive aimlessly and am surprised when I find it. When I walk through the door, I see about six people and one in with the receptionist. Since they go by the number system, I wait for the lady to come out of the office. After fifteen minutes of waiting, I take it out as a sign of things to come and leave.
Day 2: We get up and out a bit earlier...11:00 a.m. We make it to the building, get a number and sit and sit and sit. I'm number 15, they call number 10 in for paperwork. I have a discussion with several women who are waiting and find out this is how it always is, no matter what time you arrive, you have to wait. They apparently have a new intercom system because they "test" it a million times! You hear the speaker come on, hold your breath that they are about to call the next number and they say "TEST." I thought I was going to lose my mind. At 12:30, they call number 15, I walk to the receptionist and she asks what service I need. I could have sworn I told her my daughter needed immunizations for school. When I tell her again, she announces that the nurse is about to go on her lunch break. I was very near my melting point...don't they understand I've been waiting for an hour and a half, with two kids and I have to do more waiting? They ask me if I can come back at 2:00 and I just want to slap them! But I don't, I ask if I will have to do more waiting and they assure me that I won't, I can walk straight in, so I agree.
Day 2 (again): I walk in and there sits about five people and of course, someone is in the office with the receptionist. I signal to her that I'm waiting and go to sit and sit and sit. Finally at 2:25, they call number 15 to clinic 3 and the nurse is sitting there waiting. It takes about five minutes for three shots. I must admit DQ was great. She didn't cry until the MMR because it stings a bit when it's injected. We go to the receptionist and she takes the form and asks me if I'll be paying today. Paying today? I thought they were free. No, fees are based on a sliding scale, my scale...$30. By this point, I'm boiling, but I just write a check and get the heck out with shot record in hand. I do plan to download a complaint form though. I don't expect much to come of it, afterall, I was told that that is the norm when dealing with the MS State Health Department.
Day 1: Since we are out for the summer, our days have been very relaxed. We get up and out at 1:00 p.m. and when I get to building, I find it has been moved out to Brown Ferry Road. I have no idea where that is so I call and get the worst directions in America. I just drive aimlessly and am surprised when I find it. When I walk through the door, I see about six people and one in with the receptionist. Since they go by the number system, I wait for the lady to come out of the office. After fifteen minutes of waiting, I take it out as a sign of things to come and leave.
Day 2: We get up and out a bit earlier...11:00 a.m. We make it to the building, get a number and sit and sit and sit. I'm number 15, they call number 10 in for paperwork. I have a discussion with several women who are waiting and find out this is how it always is, no matter what time you arrive, you have to wait. They apparently have a new intercom system because they "test" it a million times! You hear the speaker come on, hold your breath that they are about to call the next number and they say "TEST." I thought I was going to lose my mind. At 12:30, they call number 15, I walk to the receptionist and she asks what service I need. I could have sworn I told her my daughter needed immunizations for school. When I tell her again, she announces that the nurse is about to go on her lunch break. I was very near my melting point...don't they understand I've been waiting for an hour and a half, with two kids and I have to do more waiting? They ask me if I can come back at 2:00 and I just want to slap them! But I don't, I ask if I will have to do more waiting and they assure me that I won't, I can walk straight in, so I agree.
Day 2 (again): I walk in and there sits about five people and of course, someone is in the office with the receptionist. I signal to her that I'm waiting and go to sit and sit and sit. Finally at 2:25, they call number 15 to clinic 3 and the nurse is sitting there waiting. It takes about five minutes for three shots. I must admit DQ was great. She didn't cry until the MMR because it stings a bit when it's injected. We go to the receptionist and she takes the form and asks me if I'll be paying today. Paying today? I thought they were free. No, fees are based on a sliding scale, my scale...$30. By this point, I'm boiling, but I just write a check and get the heck out with shot record in hand. I do plan to download a complaint form though. I don't expect much to come of it, afterall, I was told that that is the norm when dealing with the MS State Health Department.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Friends first
Have you ever met someone and you've felt you've known them all your life? I've had that happen to me several times, but never with any one of the opposite sex. They've always been with other females, but soon the friendship fades. As a single woman, I've been looking (unsuccessfully) for companionship. I haven't been looking too hard because I'm a bit cautious and I'm pretty set in my ways, but sometimes I get lonely. I think that is why I completed a profile on Yahoo personals. The first time I did this, I met some pretty interesting characters and I began to question my desperation as I read profiles that included such phrases as "I'm looking for a nice clean woman." Nevertheless, I met a pretty interesting guy who teaches at Ole Miss and is from the same area of the country as I am and knew exactly where my hometown is. We talked off and on for several months and I think I scared him off when I told was competing in The Biggest Loser at NWCC. His last words were, "Do you need to lose that much weight?" I tried to reassure him that I am not obese, but I never heard from him again. And he was the most interesting guy who'd looked at my profile. Back to the drawing board.
A few weeks later I got a message from a guy in Alabama. He looked sane and left several messages, including a phone number. I waited until after Spring Break and gave him a call and we've been talking ever since. I talk to him about a lot of stuff and he just listens, never judges and I can be myself. Sometimes I ask him if I am too country for him and he quickly reminds me that he is a country boy. He seems to understand my frustrations of being a single mom and dealing with a selfish ex-husband. He is the father of four children and I think my stories and tales have changed his relationship with his children.
There are several things I like about this guy: 1) He is a hard worker. He currently has one full-time job and two part-time jobs. I guess after having a father who has always worked hard and instilled the same work ethic in me and my sister, I think all men should be providers. 2) He is a dedicated father. There have been times I haven't heard from him because he was busy with his children. I've reminded him several times that my kids come first. 3) He encourages me to be true to myself. I've dated (and even married) men who wanted me to be someone I couldn't. I'm just a Southern girl who is comfortable living a simple life. I'm not impressed by possessions, I love true people and try to be real in all that I do. 4) He seeks me. I hardly ever call him, he is always looking for me. I refuse to chase another man. Afterall, Proverbs states, "A man who finds a wife, finds a good thing." 5) He is honest and I know how he feels about things. He never agrees with me just to get along and he understands that people can agree to disagree.
So, I don't know where this is headed, but I'm having a great time just getting to know him better. When I first met him, he told me he is looking for a wife. I'm not looking for a husband at this point in my life, but who knows what will happen...
A few weeks later I got a message from a guy in Alabama. He looked sane and left several messages, including a phone number. I waited until after Spring Break and gave him a call and we've been talking ever since. I talk to him about a lot of stuff and he just listens, never judges and I can be myself. Sometimes I ask him if I am too country for him and he quickly reminds me that he is a country boy. He seems to understand my frustrations of being a single mom and dealing with a selfish ex-husband. He is the father of four children and I think my stories and tales have changed his relationship with his children.
There are several things I like about this guy: 1) He is a hard worker. He currently has one full-time job and two part-time jobs. I guess after having a father who has always worked hard and instilled the same work ethic in me and my sister, I think all men should be providers. 2) He is a dedicated father. There have been times I haven't heard from him because he was busy with his children. I've reminded him several times that my kids come first. 3) He encourages me to be true to myself. I've dated (and even married) men who wanted me to be someone I couldn't. I'm just a Southern girl who is comfortable living a simple life. I'm not impressed by possessions, I love true people and try to be real in all that I do. 4) He seeks me. I hardly ever call him, he is always looking for me. I refuse to chase another man. Afterall, Proverbs states, "A man who finds a wife, finds a good thing." 5) He is honest and I know how he feels about things. He never agrees with me just to get along and he understands that people can agree to disagree.
So, I don't know where this is headed, but I'm having a great time just getting to know him better. When I first met him, he told me he is looking for a wife. I'm not looking for a husband at this point in my life, but who knows what will happen...
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