Living Life as Jayden's Mommy….

Life as an African American Mom in the South

Posts Tagged ‘careers

A Weekend in “The MIA”….

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Ok so for those of you that do not know I am in Miami, FL. My cousin (who I saw and laughed with in July 2008) passed away. There are only 15 grandchildren on my Mother’s side and me and my sister on my Dad’s side. Anyways, I am watching a bootleg version of “The Family that Preys” and I am more than excited to be adding this to my collection.

I actually drove a minivan from Tallahassee to Orlando. I was very proud of myself. Then, I was 2nd in command for my cousin who drove from O-town to Miami. Not much happened along the way except… TRAFFIC. And I thought Mobile had rush hour. LOL… There is no comparison to this. It is absolutely frustrating and ridiculous. Although we did not see as many accidents as we normally do we did have some excitement in that the cops were looking for someone and shut down the airport too! My other cousin was there and was delayed because of all that.

I am at my aunt’s house because I don’t do funerals. I don’t exactly understand the big fuss. I don’t necessarily expect a lot of people at mine. But I was cool with my cousin and she knows that I am not comfy with going so I don’t think she will feel ill of me or anything. It is kind of weird- death… smidgen has experienced a lot of it in her young age (I am being nice today) and I have too somewhat. But we all deal differently. I tend not to mourn but just cope. I think it is good to accept things for what they are and move on. Some might find it cruel but point blank I am the one that has to live with my decisions and that is that!

Well enough about that. I am ready to start some new things in life and that includes coming up with ideas Image Previewand ways to make money easily. My cousin and I have come up with 4 ideas thus far and one is excellent with low virtually no startup costs. Some people are made to work themselves to death and others are made to experience the finer things of life and help others to be smarter. My husband and I both know that there is something bigger out there for us. He knows that I am destined to live comfortably and to teach others how to be smart in life. I do believe it is a talent and a gift. I talked to smidgen about some summer camp ideas for children and she said she could assist so I am eager to get curriculum materials and get that running. I am thinking target those who can afford to send their children to weekend long camps that range from $500 to $1000 inclusive of hotel stay, fun trip, new knowledge and food. Hmmmm. I am also thinking that there has to be grants available from the government to teach those who are unaware of the opportunity available to them to make them less dependent on the government. Maybe I could even contract out with the govt and lead seminars that those on govt assistance would have to attend to empower them to get off of govt assistance since there is a 2 year limit now (as it should be).

Image PreviewOk so I can’t give away all of my ideas but that is what is going on in my little world. MIA is pretty but there is too much going on so I will stick to my little corner of the world and just do me.

Written by scrapper26

October 19, 2008 at 12:18 am

Posted in My Life

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Daddies and Mommies…

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Well today I heard a bee in the house. Of course I crouched down and almost immediately was about to holler for my “Daddy” to come kill the bee. I saw the bee yesterday and couldn’t get up the courage nor the speed to kill it. But as soon as my Daddy came home he assured me that all I had to do was holler at him and he would kill it for me. I tell you what would a girl do without a good Daddy??? Anyways.. my Daddy is an excellent Daddy. I am almost 27 years old (shutup Smidgen!) and I still call on him to get the bugs or help me with the simple stuff and he never complains or even looks at me funny. It is the same action since I can remember. He just takes action and handles it. What can I say? My Daddy is a “doer” and so is my Mama. I think I get it from both of them. My little sis is definitely a mover and a shaker in her own little world and I am sure she gets it from them too!

OK so the reason for this post… I read a story about “The Invisible Mom”. I only have a couple of close friends that have children as most of us just have not taken that great leap. However I sent it to a friend and my own Mom and thought I would share it on my blog as it did brighten the day of one of my friends.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.No one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this?  Can you tie this?  Can you open this? Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being. I’m a clock to ask, ‘What time is it?’ I’m a satellite guide to answer, ‘What number is the Disney Channel?’ I’m a car to order, ‘Right around 5:30, please.’ I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated sum a cum laude – but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She’s going; she’s going; she is gone! One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England … Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.  I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, ‘I brought you this.’
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe.  I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription:‘To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.’ In the days ahead I would read – no, devour – the book.  And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no record of their names.  These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.  They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.  The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, ‘Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof?  No one will ever see it.’ . . . ‘Because God sees.’
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, ‘I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.’ At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, ‘My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.’  That would mean I’d built a shrine or a monument to myself.  I just want him to want to come home.  And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, ‘you’re going to love it there.’

 Well I also received some news today. I have an interview next week at a college. Although I should be excited I am not really. I am content knowing that God hasn’t forgotten me and I am still on the list. I really would like a position that pays me more as I do have 5 years of teaching experience. However it is also the idea of getting my foot in the door and just tightening the belt to save more money. I don’t know that can be done but it is worth a try. Hubby sent me an e-mail today stating how proud he was of me and how much he loved me. It was sweet and made me smile. I am still hoping for another position where I have the potential to ean a good bit more than what I am currently earning. It would just be great if I could afford all the bills myself so hubby can focus on school. Although that is a little far fetched as far as roles- I also know that when I do have a baby and I want to stay at home he will be 100% supportive.

I say “Stay At Home Mom” but I am not sure I am cut out for it. Maybe if I just had one. Ugh, I tell you it is a hard job. It seems like the work never stops. I remember playing Barbies with my sister and we always sent our husbands to work and the Mommies stayed at home with the babies. Even as we lived the lavish lifestyle we did- fancy cars- we still had maids that cleaned the house and handled all the stuff that was not so “glamorous”. Funny, now that I think about it- we never changed diapers or had to feed the baby. Shoot- they were always happy and took a nap when we got ready for them too- at most when it was convenient! lol… I suppose it is nothing like that in real life. But as more friends at work and outside of work discuss children (the ones that have, want, do not want, or are talking about talking about having or adopting them- smidgen that was you again) I can’t help but hope that we do have one soon but not in the next year or two. What can I say? I am such a Planner… I want my house and some savings and the ability to provide my full attention and job security and a happy life. I had that so how dare I NOT provide my children with that. I had a college fund, a car at 16, money for trips, family vacations (that got ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC as I got older- Hawaii, St. Augustine, Bahamas cruise- just sisters on this one), and no worries even after college. My little sis has had it just as good. My parents really sacrificed. My sis and I both had pretty new vehicles at 16 when our parents were driving okay vehicles. Of course that is NOT what it is all about but I mean at the least I want to give my kids what I had. I absolutely loved childhood now that I look back at it. Especially when you hear the not so great tales of sooo many others.

Ok I have rambled forever. I am actually baking tonight… ok…  I am waiting on my Mom because I am a little nervous about making it alone. I know, I know… worst case scenario I burn the Amish bread that I am soooo excited about. I am going to get up early this week so I can drink some coffee with the Amish bread I am making. I would share the recipe but you have to have batter and get it from someone. So if you are a local and you want some let me know and I will gladly share.  We are making 3 loaves and freezing them so I am excited. I get to have 2 (yes I am leaving Mom one!) next week- so coffee and bread every morning with some grits and eggs- Hubby will love that!

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Monday Oct. 13, 2008. Wall Street snapped back Monday from last week's devastating losses after major governments announced further steps to support the global banking system, including plans by the U.S. Treasury to buy stocks of some banks. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)  The Dow went up 936 points in one day- biggest gain ever. I guess it is time to reinvest… ugh.. I am still looking at house plans and smidgen and I have agreed on some. I really feel we will be living side by side on day. Yes, it is a personal mission of mine to stay at home with her children and tell my hubby I am just unable to go to work! lol… Funny thing is I told him that and he said that was perfectly ok. So there you have it smidgen- formal approval. I also still want to plan a couple’s cruise soon so…. for all of you interested be thinking of some good dates. Winter months are cheaper! Ok enough rambling for today, have a fantastic Monday evening. Jon and Kate plus 8 comes on! Whooohooo!

Written by scrapper26

October 14, 2008 at 6:12 am

Posted in My Life

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YouTube is Great!

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Ok this is my 3rd post of the night but I really like youtube. Not for all the dumb stuff but for the good stuff. As a teacher I can appreciate technology and where it is pushing us. I can also see that many of the other countries that were at one time inferior have gained superiority.

This video is called “SHIFT HAPPENS” although it could easily be “S**t Happens” too…. lol…

 Shift Happens

Written by scrapper26

September 18, 2008 at 10:35 am

Posted in My Life

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