A New Year Blessing

2008 is over and 2009 is beginning. This is your chance to start something new, do something different, make your self happy, BE FABULOUS!!!

Life is too short, so let go of those things already lost!!! Live and let live!

Close some doors so that God can open new ones, and whatever you do do it with love, compassion and from the heart. You Go Girl!!!

Let 2009 be a year of smiles, laughs, hugs, new friends, new opportunities and peace! Have a Happy, Safe, Prosperous, and Blessed New Year!


Love You!
- Trish

New Year's Resolutions

Alot of people I know do not subscribe to the whole Resolution thing... They live their lives as if every day is a New Year and strive to be better than the day before. While I completely agree with these people to an extent, I still feel compelled to write down a list of things I'd like to accomplish in the upcoming year. Over the past 3 years I made simple resolutions like less cussing (I used to be really bad) and saving money (still working on that one), but this year I am writing a list of things that will not only effect myself, but maybe if I'm lucky may inspire someone else to do the same....

So... are you ready?

For the year two thousand and nine...

1. I will no longer allow myself to be consumed with things that I can not control.
2. I won't worry about where I'll be in 5 or 10 years from now, instead I'll live for the moment, and take things one day at a time
3. I will stop being a people pleaser. I'll still be good to people, but only to the extent that is healthy and comfortable.
4. I will no longer bring work home (that's pretty funny since I work in childcare..lol)
5. I will no longer allow the dysfunctional people in my life allow my life to become dysfunctional.
6. Be Amazing... No really freaking amazing
7. Loose 15 lbs, but no longer obsess about each and every inch of fat...I will embrace my curves (or lack thereof)
8. Be optimistic, yet realistic...Look for the good in people
9. Make 3 new friends
10. Join (or start) a book club
11. Reduce my carbon Footprint
12. Dress more lil more girly... Imma bring sexy back (STOP LAUGHING!!!)
13. Spoil myself at least once a month
14. Learn to swim
15. Love my enemies... even the haters in my life
16. Eat Healthier & Drink more water

My Bucket List

A week ago or so, my Cousin Brian (who I wholeheartedly believe is Awesome) wrote a blog about The Bucket List, a movie staring Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman.The story follows two terminally ill men (Nicholson and Freeman) on a road trip with a wish list of things to do before they die.

In Brian's post he challenged his readers to take a minute to think about our own "Bucket List". What would you do - REALLY DO - if you knew this was your last moments on earth - where would you go..what would matter to you most.

So, like Brian, I wrote a few down...(no specific order)

1. Learn to Swim
2. Travel to Africa
3. Open a Coffee Shop and serve the Best Cookies & Coffee in Philly
4. Host a Fabulous Party.. I mean Like WHOA!!!
5. Inspire someone
6. Learn to play the Piano
7. Let my family & friends (even the ones I cussed out and cut off), know how much I really do love them
8. Buy my dad a new home
9. Skydive
10. Bungee Jump (This one may actually cause my bucket to get kicked...lol)

Yeah, I know that its not that many, but I am a simple person. While there are some many more things I'd like to accomplish in my life, these 9 things are things that are in some sorts out reach...

So in the words of my Fantastic Cousin Brian, take a minute to think about your own "Bucket List". What would you do - REALLY DO - if you knew this was your last moments on earth - where would you go..what would matter to you most.

A Birthday Shout Out

Go Miles, It's Your Birthday!
Go Miles, It's Your Birthday!

Go, Go, Go, Go

Happy 2nd Birthday to my favorite lil buddy in the whole world....

Love, Mommy

Bah, Humbug!

Lately I’ve been experiencing some spiritual issues that have me questioning so many things in my daily life and for the first time in my life, I am not excited AT ALL about Christmas. I’m not excited about the Tree, The music is starting to annoy the hell outta me, and I don’t even want to step foot in Macy’s, Target, Wal-Mart or anywhere to buy anyone anything… Let’s not even talk about going to church, and dealing with the real meaning of Christmas….

I don’t know what it is. I don’t know where it came from, or what started it, but all I know is that I am NOT in the Christmas sprit this year.

Today Zoë said that she wished it was Christmas today, and I thought to my self (yeah me too, so it would be over tomorrow) … now tell me that aint a crying shame. I feel like things that have happened over the past 4 years have not been resolved (the death of my mother, the loss of a baby, and a real life emotional break down that had me at the end of the rope… literally) and I think that for the first time in my entire existence I miss the person I was before all of this happened.

I miss my mother. Even though she hadn’t been in my life for over 20 years I miss having a mom. I miss being able to say, “Yeah my mom lives in west Philly, but she’s not well” I hate being part of the “yeah my mom’s dead too club” I HATE IT!!!

I miss the baby that I never met. It drives me crazy remembering EVERY DAY that very small part of me that has died.

And, although I’m definitely more emotionally “stable” than I was 4 years ago, I miss being unpredictable… I miss the way people looked at me when I entered the room, because they just didn’t know how to take me. I hate being that person who people think they can just unload all of their shit onto!!! Don’t you think I have my own shit to deal with too?? Has that ever crossed your mind??? I’m Sorry…. It’s just that I can’t continue to being a punching bag for so many people anymore… I’m exhausted

How to deal? How to deal?

I’ve prayed, and laid it all at the alter, but somehow I keep on picking up that all too familiar baggage… Those pretty bags that I know all to well.

I’ve tried meds, and while they make me feel nice in the nicest way, it’s not what I need.

Food...well that makes me feel good, but then the extra weight just messes things all up, and no food… we a’int even gonna go there…

I’ve cut people out of my life! Too many to count; all of those people who used me, who didn’t remember me, who didn’t really know me, or love me, are gone. They’re like old scars; always a part of me, but no longer causing the pain that they once caused.

And now, at what should be a very joyous time of year I feel like crap. I just want to be left alone. I feel depression creeping up, and I can’t shake it. I feel like...

Ready To SNAP!!!

nuff said!

Birthday Shout Out!

This one is for you!

A Shout Out to my friends & family that actually remembered my Birthday this Year.

Two years ago, I only got 2 phone calls/well wishes, and one of them was purley coincidnece. So I went on a two year long Anti-Birthday thing forcing myself not to acknowlege any of the birthdays of the people who forgot mine... Yes I now it was childish, but it made me feel good! It was the hardest thing for me to ever do! You see, once I learn your birthday I never forget it...NEVER. It's actually kinda freaky wierd. To me, birthdays are more inmportant than Christmas and Anniverssaries. It's the one day out of the year when YOU are celebrated. True, everyday is an occasion, and everyday should be celebrated, but I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!!!

So to all of you who remembered THANK YOU! Thank you for the Fudge, the Earrings, For Fixing My Car, The Shout Out on Face Book, the E-mail's, the Cards, The Flowers, The Lunch, The Dinner... Thank you for everything!

And to those of you who forgot, or just didn't know... I won't hold it against you.

Finally!!!

I have been waiting for this day for over 8 years... Ever since I knew that I was carrying a baby girl, I had big plans for her future... (not that i'm living vicariously through her or anything).

Today marks two full weeks of Violin Practice for Zoe and she's actually getting better!!! I am so freaking HAPPY!!

Check her out!

Oh Yeah, Y'all should make reservations now... She'll be in Carnigie Hall in about 4years, and if she's anything like her mama, she won't know you when she makes it big. lol, no really...

And Mountains Shall be Moved!!

I learned a few things... Things that I already knew, but kinda forgot. I learned that God can and will Move Mountains!

On our way back from the Christening of our Friend's Daughter we ran into some major car trouble. When I say major, I aint talking about no flat tire! I'm talking MAJOR car trouble!

We stopped at the gas station to take advantage of some $1.89/gallon gas and we realized that the car was wobbling a bit. With Kyle watching, I drove back and forth in the parking lot, and then Kyle made the Oh S*&t face and told me not to move...

I froze, put the car in park, turned it off and got out to see what was up.

We removed the hubcap to realize that two of the five lugs (the things that hold your tire onto your car) were broken off! COMPLETELY BROKEN.. When I say broken, I mean they fell onto the frigging ground...

Okay, No biggie we can drive slow in the right lane with the hazards on right??? Uh, NO! its raining, its dark and it's cold... and did I mention that we were out in Downingtown PA? (Like 10 miles from DE)

Alright, we're cool (or so we think) we get back in the car and map out our route... We tell each other that if we take it slow (really slow) that we'll be good. And then all of the sudden I hear a sound... It's the windshield wiper.. They're broken too.

Now I'm Panicking

If we could just find some rainx we'll be cool. But did I mention that it's raining HARD?? and its DARK? and its COLD.. oh and that we have KIDS IN THE CAR???

We shut the kids up (yes, we told them to shut up) and we prayed!... now what you have to understand is that Kyle and I are very private with our prayers. We're both the type of people who go into our "prayer closets" alone... but here we were praying out loud asking God for guidance. We asked God to Move Mountains!

So a good 20 minutes have passed and here we are tying twine to the windshield wipers, squirting rainx onto the windshield, and kicking the tire. By now the kids are asleep, and we prayfully venture home...

We leave Downintown at 5:35pm, head onto the PA Turnpike and joke about not driving faster than our Guardian Angels can fly. Along the way we periodically stop to check the tire, look back to check the kids and pull the strings on the windshield wipers... Its funny now, but it wasn't at the time.

We got into Philly at 7:28 pm,and I just wanted to get out and scream. we stop the car, and and we both let out the biggest sigh of relief. I let go of the windshield wiper strings and my hands are shaking.

And that's when the praise started.

Just wanna Praise him, forever and ever, and ever for all he's done for me! Is what pops into my head, and I break out in song, dance and tears...Those who know me well know that I'm not that enthusiastic (at least openly) about too many things, but here I was dancing and singing in our driveway...

So now, almost 3 hours later I am sitting here, waiting to hear the washer ding, listening to my kids complain about being hungry, and all I can do is praise God!

This is why I love my job...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

What happened to tolerance??

Why is it that I am seeing a growing trend of intolerance in small children?

Just yesterday, I had to restrain myself when a kid told Zoe that she was a bad person and that she was going to go to Hell! It was Zoe's turn on the computer and she took a little longer than expected... so he (a boy who would steal your pants if they weren't buttoned, and lies bout EVERYTHING) told my baby that she was going to go to hell... She completely freaked out, unplugged the computer and threw the keyboard, but what amazes me the most is that she was later playing and laughing with this same kid later in the day... talk about forgiveness!

And, today another kid told Zoe that Santa wasn't real, and that her parents dress up as Santa every year. First of all, let me tell you that neither Kyle nor I have ever dressed up as Santa! Secondly let me explain... Zoe wholeheartedly believes in Santa, but she also knows why we celebrate Christmas, and any other holiday or traditions that we celebrate. She believes in the Tooth Fairy, she even believes in Vampires (so do I)...

Long ago before Kyle and I had kids, we decided that we would let our children have an imagination and dreams, we also promised that we would be honest with our kids as well. So when Zoe asks us where babies come from, we give her an age appropriate answer.

But back to the reason I'm posting... Why can't we teach our children tolerance?

Why can't we tell our children that no one is the same, and that people will believe things different than you, they will love, eat, dress, smile differently...this list can go on and on. I am so tired of people telling my kid that if she doesn't read the Quaran she's going to Hell, or if she wears a Halloween Costume she's going to hell... Zoe has accepted Jesus into her life, and tries very hard to follow his teachings... she doesn't lie, she's never stolen, and she's humble.

Kyle and I teach Zoe & Miles to respect and love one another, but most importantly we teach them tolerance. We know that intolerance causes harassment, assaults and ultimately hate. We want our children to embrace different cultures, explore different lands, and learn different languages. Is that so wrong???

Perhaps I'm just too liberal (I've been accused of that), or maybe I just take that whole "do unto others thing a little too serious... but I just don't think that it's my place to judge ANYONE... EVER.

I wanna be there!

Alright, here's the deal... I wanna go to D.C.

I want to be there when Barack Obama takes his oath of office and becomes the Nation's First Black President. I don't have to have seats, heck I'll stand for the entire event if I have to. I don't wanna go to the after parties, or the inauguration balls... I just wanna be there.

The last event that had me this excited was the Million Man March back in 95' , but I was just 14 years old, and my dad (who participated in many civil rights acts in the mid 60's) didn't think that it would be a good idea for me to attend. The Day after (actually a few days later) when the men (my dad, his friends, a few teachers, and some other people we knew) returned with their stories, pictures, and renewed hope I was kinda sad that I wasn't able to participate in what I thought would be the last big event of my lifetime... But that was until November 4th, 2008 when Barack Obama did it again!

I have no idea how I'm gonna get there (yes, I know I'm only 2, maybe 3 hours from D.C.), or what I'm gonna do once I do get there.. But I am going to be there! Kyle wants toi know where we're gonna get tickets from, and my answer is simple" I don't need no tickets!" He asks where we're gonna stay, and my answer is "In the car if I have to". I don't think he understands just how serious this has become to me. Since Barack has become our President Elect, I feel like there is nothing that I can not do... and getting to D.C. is not that hard!

So now, my question to you is where will you be on January 20th 2009?

Yo! Lady.. chill out!

Dear Neighbor...

Do you think you could maybe take a chill pill every once in a while? Aside from the fact that you never speak to us (even though we say hi to you EVERY time we see you) and you never bring up your own trash can, you're as cool as ice when it comes to neighbors. However, you need to seriously take a chill pill.

Every few days I hear you burst into uncontrollable cussing fits...what's up?
Do you need a hug? (well I a'int gonna hug you, but I'll send Kyle over...lol) I mean for real?
What's going on over there?

I know you live alone so you're not yelling at anyone in the house (I hope not). Is it someone on the phone? I never hear your phone ring (row home walls are paper thin sometimes) so you must be calling them... why do you keep calling this person? and better yet what are they saying to you?

You're going at it now! It's kinda funny... scary but funny... Kyle and I get a kick out of it every time. I'm just happy that you do this at night when the kids are in bed...

All I'm saying is this... Lady, please take a chill pill. Please?

No! I really don't know her/him..

Have you ever had someone tell you that you know someone? Someone that you know you don't know?

Yeah me too.. but lately people have been telling me this ALOT!! To the point that its starting to drive me crazy. I mean If I say that I don't know them why continue describing them, telling me that I was in 9th grade with them? I've gotten to the point where I'm now like Oh! Yeah I know them..Knowing darn well I don't.

My favorite is when I say, "well what's their birth name" and people are like.. "I dunno, but they (whoever they are) call him Black!" or "that she's light skinned" And then people have the audacity to get all mad when I'm like nope.. I don't know them...

So please, the next time you think to ask me if I know someone... guess what? I probably don't. Spare yourself the anguish. Unless you have some pictures of this person in 9th grade I won't know them no matter how light, dark, tall, thin, or cute they were... Trust me, I have a hard enough time remembering the people that I actually know.. lol

Don't make me take off this Hat!

Many of you may have on occasion heard me refer to my hat... Let me explain...

My "hat" is sort of an analogy, it symbolized my experience in "Christiandom", which is sorta new. You see, it hasn't been that long ago that I was saved (for the 2nd time), and I often find it a tad bit difficult to deal with situations like a "Christian". I guess I still see some things through "worldly glasses". Now don't get me wrong.. I carry myself with some type of decency, I humble myself, and I try to "meet people where they are", but there have been alot of times within these past few weeks where I just have to take off my hat!

Take for example last Saturday... we stopped at Dunkin' Donuts, while waiting for my cup of coffee I asked the lady at the drive through window if she could throw an old dunkin donuts cup in the trash for me. She gives what appeared to be a genuine smile, and says "sure". She then turns around and starts talking to the other store employees about how if one more customer asks her to throw something in the trash she's gonna throw a cup of coffee in their face... then she turns around hands me my cup of coffee, smiles and tells me to have a nice day.. WHAAAATTT? She's got some nerve... But I remained calm.. I did think about throwing that cup of coffee in HER face parking the car and beating the donuts outta her, but I managed to keep my hat on....

And then today, I'm driving to the post office and I'm almost killed! No exaggeration...I'm driving through Olney Plaza stopping at all the crosswalks doing like 15 mph, when out of nowhere a cop car almost slams into me. I had to slam on my brakes and swerve just to avoid what would've been a very nasty accident. I took a moment to breath, and I realized I was still alive... all good in the hood right?? Not exactly, this cop gets out of his car and is now standing at the driver side window SCREAMING at me... Oh, I tried believe me I did.. but I had to take off my hat...

Later this same evening, Zoe came home with a letter from her school principal requesting our presence at a school meeting TONIGHT to discuss Zoe's excessive absences this school year. Apparently Zoe being out of school with strep throat for 4 days is considered excessive unexcused absences... even when we e-mail, write and bring in notes from her doctor. But Hold the Phone... This letter is dated October 30th... 2 weeks ago! While I was in the process of looking for a safe place to put my hat, I noticed that Kyle's hat was already off! It was gone... crumpled up in a corner somewhere... I had to keep my hat on, and help Kyle find his. Whew!

My Hope has been Renewed!

Thank You Barack Obama for restoring my Hope!

These last 8 years have been rough ... Gas prices through the roof, foreclosed mortgages, failing schools... and the list goes on and on... But you promised us that Change was gonna' come, and you delivered!

Thank you. Thank you for giving my family hope! Thank you for getting Zoe so amped up that she almost cried because she thought that we weren't going to be able to vote! Thank you for getting Miles ecstatic whenever he heard your name. OBAMA!!!

Your resolve was definitely tested. They attacked you with ridiculous claims, but you stood strong. You remained calm. You spoke so eloquently. Thank you.

Thank you for bringing us together as a people at a time where we needed it so much.

Thank you for being a strong black man. Thank you for showing America what we are truly capable of. Thank you for shattering that so called glass ceiling that has held us back for so long. Thank you for giving me tears of Joy! Thank you for making my hands shake (almost uncontrollably) as I pressed that VOTE button! Thank you for restoring my Hope!

And as I sit here waiting for your acceptance speech, I thank you in advance, because I know that whatever you do, and what ever you say it will be great!

Yes you can Barack Obama. Yes You Did!

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Lift every voice and sing,
'Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on 'til victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chast'ning rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
'Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.

I poop!

Yesterday Miles made his first action on the potty, and it was a #2!

He told Kyle and I that he had to poop, but he jokes all he time about his bathroom needs that we just thought he was playing around, and then he said it again... "I poop".

We took off his clothes, and he got up on the toilet. he sat there for a while making funny noises, and pumping his fist. He kept on saying "I poop", but nothing was happening. By now the entire family was in the bathroom. Miles on the toilet, Zoe was looking in the mirror, and Kyle and I just standing there holding a separate unrelated conversation (Its weird, but we all gather in the bathroom quite a bit..). Anyways, I grew impatient, and left the room, Zoe was now somewhere else doing something, and Kyle was standing in the hall between the bathroom & our bedroom talking to me.

And then it happened! Kyle thought he heard a "plop".

I thought it was Miles' pacifier falling in to the toilet. We all got up, and ran into the bathroom, and there he was still sitting on the toilet as calm as could be. Kyle asked "Miles, did you poop", Miles shook head head yes. Kyle (our certified smell investigator) took a look, and sho' nuff the boy had pooped!! We (Zoe, Kyle and I) sang "Go Miles, you poo poo in the potty it's your birthday, Go Miles is your birthday, you poo poo in the potty" it was a real live house party with clapping and stomping and whoo hooing...

Of course poo poo parties don't last long, and someone always has to clean up afterwards....

Anxiety won't last always....

Today I was blessed!

I was blessed enough to hear a sermon today at church that spoke directly to me and my specific situation.

I know that I am not the only person that goes through "stuff" but sometimes when I'm in the midst of my mess I feel...alone

Lately I've been anxious. I was/am anxious about my family's health (Zoe had strep throat last week, and I was afraid that Miles would catch it ), family finances (juggling 2 mortgages, a business and a family budget) and some "faith issues" as well. I started to feel my self shut down emotionally. I started getting migraines and back aches. I felt isolated and angry for no reason.

But today, God remembered Trish!

I had to be reminded that God had my back, and that he is in control. I had to feel God's presence, which was something that I started to feel a little disconnected from. But then, God remembered me!

Today I realized that all of the anxiety, stress, isolation, and anger that I had been feeling was because I tried to take control of what God has already promised that he would do. I tried to control what was out of my hands.

I realized that God had not abandoned me. I was not forgotten. God knows what's going on, even when I can't. He knows me by name.

There will still be times when the whole family is sick, I may even miss a payment on something, but the one thing I know is that God will remember me, because anxiety/hopelessness/sadness/depression/poverty/despair/hate won't last always!

Be Blessed,
Patricia

Birthday Shout Out!

Go Jen, It's Your Birthday!
Go Jen, It's Your Birthday!

Go,Go,Go,Go

Happy Birthday Jen!

A letter to a man I know...

Hey Buddy! What’s up? How are you? I haven’t seen or heard from you in almost a year, and I miss you. Wow! A lot has changed since you left …

When I first met you I remember thinking, hey who’s this young dude standing up there talking to everybody… I immediately liked you. I thought that you were people oriented, and you got things done. My husband on the other hand thought that you were a show off... It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that he realized that you weren’t. Man I really miss you!

I remember you had a family. A beautiful brown skinned wife with a wonderful “we can do it” attitude and two lively children. How are they?

It’s been almost a year since I last saw you. I remember there was some big meeting at our “organization” where you announced your plans to move on, but I was going through some stuff that day, and I totally missed the meeting. I wish I would’ve e-mailed or called you to let you know what I was going through. You were always so helpful and so real with me.. I wish I could e-mail you now, to let you know how I feel about the Team that you left behind. We’re suffering over here. We really are. Half of us are just doing “stuff” and the other half of us have left. And those of us, who are here, need direction. We need someone like you to come back and be real with us. This past year has been so damn watered down from the truth, so sugar coated. So fucking FAKE!

I’m sitting here trying to tell myself that maybe this is all part of my growth, but how can I grow with no support? YOU YELL ME THAT?!? How am I supposed to grow in an environment where every time I try to do something my efforts are squashed? Please tell me? I’m lost, and I’m afraid. I want to leave this stupid organization and go join another. But something is holding me back. Something is telling me that this is where I should be. But I am SO DAMN MISERABLE! I’m tired of showing up and sitting alone, I’m tired of participating ALONE. I’m tired of giving my two cents just to have it thrown backing my face via e-mail or text message. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!?

I really just don’t know how much more of this I can take… Here’s what I’m gonna do. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to visit a few organizations, and see what’s out there. Perhaps this Small Organization thingy just isn’t for me... Maybe I need to take some time off of organizations all together. No, I still want to work for the big guy; I mean he’s great... I just don’t like this office…

I’ll get back to you in a few weeks to let you know what happened. I have no idea if you’ll ever see this letter, but maybe someone out there who knows the both of us will direct you to this blog.

Yours Truly,

Patricia

Some Funny Footage

I Thought you'd find this funny, I asked Miles if he was tired, and he told me "no !" a few minutes later I caught this... Keep your eyes on his legs

Miles and his NEW Toy...

Yesterday Miles got a new toy.

Well actually he got three new toys.

I didn't buy them, Kyle didn't buy them, and no one gave them to him... He sort of found them.

I walked into my bedroom last night to find miles playing with some Tampons. I didn't realize right away, all I saw was these white rolls on his fingers. He was CRACKING up! I was like "hey Miles, what's so funny?" He just laughed, and ran into the corner under the exercise bike (aka clothes hanger). I ignored it, thinking that maybe he was just playing around with toilet paper... I know, I know TP isn't a toy either, but I try to foster his creativity...

So I'm sitting on the bed and I hear paper rattling. This boy was over in the corner playing with tampons. What I thought was toilet paper wrapped on his fingers was actually the applicators. He was holding one of the tampons by the string swinging it around like he was in Louisiana on Mardi Gras singing his ABC's. Cant knock his hustle eh?

All I could do was laugh. Kyle, well he didn't think it was too funny..

Trisha Fleming's day off

I never realized just how tired I was until I was able to sleep totally uninterrupted!

Today I took a day off... Well, it was actually just ½ of a day, but it felt like a whole day to me. I still woke up at my normal time, and helped Kyle get the kids dressed, but after that I was like “See ya later, holla, bye!”

In my mind I had things all planned out, I was going to thoroughly clean the bathroom, straighten Zoë’s room, put away Miles’ clothes, and change the linen in our bedroom. Here’s what really happened….NOTHING! I fluffed my pillow, turned on the Today Show, and fell asleep. I woke up once wondering if the kids were behaving for Kyle but I was either too tired, or confident that he was alright so I went back to sleep. I woke up about 3 hours later with drool plastered to the side of my face, moseyed on into the bathroom, and took the longest hottest shower I have taken in about 8 years. You must understand…It’s really hard to shower with an 8 year old who almost always has to poop as soon as you turn the water on, and a 2 year old who likes to pull the shower door back, point at you and say eeeeewwwww. After my shower I cooked myself breakfast. I ate 5 pieces of bacon a bowl of cheerios and a handful of unwashed grapes Yes, the breakfast of champions… I started to brush my teeth, but since no one was there to smell my fresh breath I opted not to…instead I looked myself in the mirror and smiled… I HAD A DAY OFF!

Of course my day came to an end when my PDA reminded me that I had stuff to do… I had to register for spring classes, return some phone calls, and respond to a dozen of e-mails… oh life is too short...

And to my day off… I’ll miss you, and I’ll be thinking about you all week :)

A shout out to all dads....

I really don’t think that single dads are appreciated or recognized enough. As a product of a single parent family, my dad did a wonderful job at making sure most of our needs were met. True he’s not perfect bit he tried his best! The reason why I’m posting this is because one the kids I care for are also products of single parent families. And the single parent is a dad. I see him struggling the same way my father struggled to get support to raise/provide for his family. He works seven days a week, and he STILL struggles to make ends meet, and to make matters worse he was robbed over the weekend! But still he rose.

Everyday single Dads struggle to properly provide for their children. Walking away seems to be the easy way out but these heroes continue to press on and do what’s right, and for that I give you a huge shout out! Keep on keeping on! Your work is not in vain, and one day you will be greatly rewarded.

And to the dad’s who are not single dads, but are there as part of a family unit I give you a shout out too. I know it’s hard and I know that having a family takes time away from other things you enjoy like night out with the guys, but you’re’ doing the right thing. Our children need you in their lives, they need to know what a positive male role model looks like, they need to know how to love and be loved.

To all of the real fathers, the men, who have decided that being a dad is an honor, I appreciate you, and I thank you.

Your glASS is on Fire....

Yep.. That's right. Your glASS is on fire! No, it's not funny. This is what I found written on Zoe's door IN HER HANDWRITING!! I'm still a little shocked, but it's reality, and I guess I have to deal with it like an adult.

You know, every once in a while I ask Zoe off the wall questions like if the little girls in her class stuff their bras with tissue paper, if she thinks boys are cute and so on... I do this to gauge what's going on in her world. Although Zoe is very very open with questions and concerns I have to assume that there are still some things that she doesn't let us in on.

This past weekend she asked me how old she had to be to have a boyfriend. Kyle was totally speechless, but I had to remember to keep my cool and answer the question in a way that wouldn't scare her off of asking me questions later down the line... Breathe, Trish, breathe....

It's amazing, that in just 8 short years a "little girl" can develop into a young lady with her own taste of style, dress, and even "sentence enhancers" as Sponge Bob Square Pants would call them..

As for the glASS incident, I had to explain to her that she had to be very very careful with the words that she chose. I reminded her that words sometimes hurt peoples feelings, sometimes by accident, and that she had to make sure she choose words that reflected the way she wanted people to see her... Of course I had to wrap it all up with a "if I catch you doing it again I'm gonna put your butt on fire... I think she got the message


Sidebar: The first curse word I ever wrote was also glASS. I went into the attic of my mother's house at about 6 or 7 and wrote "kiss my glASS" on a metal shelving unit my dad had in his office. I had totally forgotten about it when my momma stormed down the stairs, grabbed me up by the shirt and almost killed me. Of course, I lied like a rug telling her that "daddy must've written it".. she didn't fall for it... 2 days later I woke up..lol

I guess the apple really doesn't fall too far from the tree...

Birthday Shout Out!!!

Go Jamil, Its your Birthday!

Go Jamil, Its your Birthday!

Go, Go ,Go, Go

Happy Birthday Jamil!

Are You Kidding Me?!?

From time to time, I need to release some "work place" stress, and today is one of those days. No, I'm not upset with any of the children, but two of their parents, are really starting to piss me off!

Below are two instances of parents that I really just can't understand.. I ask myself all of the time why anyone would piss off their daycare provider.. I mean for God's Sake these people are caring for your children. I think it says alot about your parenting style, when you think that it's okay to make the person who is caring for your child upset. Not saying that I have or ever would take out my frustrations on a child, but it really does make it a little hard for me to provide decent care for your little one when every time I look at them I see your face, and hear your whining voice...

#1 - Lets, call her "Sadie":
Sadie owes me TWO WEEKS WORTH OF TUITION. Last week her kid was with the aunt2 days out of the week so for some insane reason she thinks that she doesn't owe me... I clearly state in my handbook, on the applications, on the website and in person that you pay for enrollment and not attendance. It's very simple.. If you want a space at my daycare you gotta pay for it.. If you want drop in care we can talk, but please be up front with me, and stop trying to get over on me. My prices are my prices, if you cant afford it, perhaps you should look somewhere else... (why do people try to get over on me, but go to larger daycare factories, and pay for that crap they call daycare???).. Anyways, each and every Monday home girl comes in here with some long over exaggerated story about why she's short. At first I fell for it, but then she got caught up in her lies. I think she realized that because she stopped with the BS for a while. And this past week, she's been calling asking us to walk her kid across the street so he can walk home... I think she's doing this to avoid paying!

Why do I continue to put up with this you ask?? Because I'm a sucker or kids... I can't stand seeing a child go without! I hate to see kids left in the school yard after hours waiting for their ride, or wandering around like lost pets... The kid is in our after school program which means If I don't pick him up, he'll be one of those kids wandering in the school yard until he figures out that no one is coming for him! I know! I have to put my foot down, which I plan to do.. I've e-mailed her and I will call her tonight.. I'll grab my bottle of wine, and get ready for a story, cause I know she'll have one....

#2 "Amanda":
Now this parent is just off her rocker!! This girl comes in whenever she wants, and thinks that just because she comes in late she can pick up late... Um, WRONG! I've spoken to other mothers, so I know I'm not alone when I say that I truly enjoy spending time with my family, but are we the minority??? This girl actually screwed her face up when I told her that we close at 6:30 (30 friggin minutes later than any other daycare in our area), and that we would be unable to keep her kid until 8:00pm....

Here's what I found out... People, especially black people, seem to think that I should cut them a break or give them special rights, just because they my "peoples".. Do you go into Wal-Mart and expect to pay 6$ for something that cost 20$ Exactly! So don't try that mess with me... Contrary to popular belief, I don't have a Trust Fund that daddy left me, and no I don't do "this" as a form of entertainment. As dull as I may seem, I like being able to catch a movie Friday nights with my kids, or bathing them, and cooking dinner every once in a while. I like My Family, and I enjoy being with them. And Guess What Else? I like being able to pay my bills on time... As appealing as it may sound, getting dressed in the dark is only fun the first time you do it...

So "Sadie" and "Amanda" I've got bad news for you. This Trip train you've been on, is coming to a stop. Get your act together or get your bags, and get the hell off! And to the rest of my Daycare Mamma's & Papa's, Thank You I love you and keep up the great work!


"names have been changed to protect the identity of the innocent. No animals were harmed in the making of this blog"

I'm Trisha Fleming, and I approve this message....

Yo! I got Super Powers!!!

I don't know about you, but I'm sitting here with Super powers! Go ahead and laugh, but in the words of Ming Ming (Wonder Pets) This is Serious" lol...

Check this out, and then tell me your girl ain't got no superpowers...

Super Power #1 - Insomnia
Explain my ability to stay awake until 3 am doing laundry and wake up at 6:30 ready to work... Super Powers!

Super Power # 2 - Anti- Sick
Well I know it ain't exactly a word, but explain my Anti sick powers. For the past week or so, I've been getting sneezed, coughed and vomited on by Miles, and I am as fit as a fiddle. Not even a sore throat... What you say? I didn't think so... Super powers!

Okay, okay you're still not convinced, here's a good one... Give me 100$ and watch me buy food for a week, put gas in the car, pay an electric bill, get the kids a new shirt each, get my eyebrows arched, buy a book of stamps, and rent a video from Hollywood Video.. and still have 5$ left over. Yeah! I thought so... Super Powers

All in all, I'm pretty neat (with the exception of my slang, and the ability to know when and when not to use the word "laid"). True, my vision prevents me from driving at night, and sometimes I hear stuff that ain't no body said, and my grammar gets a little jacked up at times.... when it all boils downs...

Yo shorty! Your Girl got super powers!!!

Peace out!

Birthday Shout Out!

Go Jaelyn, It's your birthday!

Go Jaelyn, It's your birthday !

Go, Go, Go, Go

Happy 2nd Birthday Jaelyn :)

My Kid... the polititian

Lately, I've been noticing some strange things about my kid.

In addition to talking faster, avoiding my questions and telling me that I don't understand stuff, she's been convincing me to buy certain products that are "better". And her opinions! Oh Help me Lawd! This girl is very very opinionated, and has no problem voicing her concerns. Below are some of her pearls of wisdom that I'd like to share....

On VOTING: "What do they keep telling adults to vote? Don't adults already know that they have to vote? I've known this since I was 5. If you don't vote you don't count!"

On CHINA MADE PRODUCTS: "Oh My Goodness! Is everything made in china? China this, China that... Was I made in China too? Jeez!"

On Work Ethic: "She (a Wal-Mart cashier) is Slow. Just put it in the bag so we can go. If I were her boss I'd fire her and get a robot"

I think that Zoe will make a wonderful executive of a major corporation. Kyle thinks that the corporation will be a SWEAT SHOP!

What you mean that baby is my brother?!?

For the past 11 or so years I've been coming to terms with the fact that my pappy is a man whore! That's right you heard me. The man is a whore! Now don't misunderstand what I'm saying. My dad is a wonderful father, he raised my siblings and I when our mothers walked out, and he did the best he could to provide us with a decent life, but the man loves the ladies.

Today, I was smacked in the face with this reality when my dad called me at 8:00 in the a.m. asking me to watch a "baby" below is the transcript (if you would) of this conversation...

Setting:
In my Kitchen

Characters:
Trish - a 28 year old mother of 2, married, work at home mom
Kyle - Trish's Husband, Son in law to Lawrence
Lawrence - a 50 something y/o man of alot of babies, single, work various locations

Phone Rings
Kyle "Hello"
(Pause) "Oh yeah, hey Dad hold on."
Trish: "Hello, Hey Daddy"
Lawrence: "Hey Patricia, do you think you can watch a baby for me today?"
Trish: "A Baby?"(emphasis on the word A)
Lawrence: "Yeah, actually it's your new little brother, his mom has a doctor's, I mean dentist appointment and doesn't have anyone to watch him. I'll pay you if you need me to"
Trish: (Shocked) "Um, Okay, Congratulations..." (pause) "Yeah, I'll watch him. Are you gonna bring it, I mean him around?"
Lawrence: "No, I'll give his mom your telephone number and she'll call you for directions. Thanks. Bye."
Trish: "You're Welcome, Okay Bye."

Weird Huh? Not exactly. For years there have been rumors that my dad had fathered additional children other than me and my five siblings. My sister and I always joked that we were the original 6 and that's all that mattered, and no matter what we wouldn't acknowledge any others, for one specific reason: Malisa and I share a Mother, and father. We're blood sisters. Of my four brothers, only two of them are actually related to me by blood. My oldest brother and the youngest one have different fathers and Mothers, but the two in the middle share a father with me & Malisa..... you got it??? By Blood I only have 2 half brothers, but I love them all So, you see, I didn't really see the need for any other brothers or sisters I just completely ignored anything anyone said about my dad having other kids...

Yes! I've met kids who were supposed to be my little brothers and sisters, but never gave it any thought. But today was totally different. I wasn't as mad as you'd think I would be. When my dad said "actually it's your new little brother" he sounded like the little girl in Juno who had to tell her parents that she was pregnant. Our roles had completely switched....(shaking my head)and I felt like a single mom who's teenage daughter just came to her and said "Mom, I'm pregnant". I almost immediately loved this kid as much as I love my other siblings.

Of course , had alot of jokes saying that Zoe had a baby Uncle that she could call "uncle little", or that he probably looked like "little man"(the baby from the Marlon Wayans Movie). Apparently Malsia (my sister) told me about this kid a few months ago, but I don't remember.... All I know about this kid is that he's 5 months old, always has hard boogies in his nose (thanks Malisa for that visual), is light skinned, looks just like my dad and is a "good baby"... Other than that I don't know the kid from a can of paint.

This revelation got me to thinking...
Lately I've been running into a lot of people who say they no me, and look really familiar. Like, at least 5 people within the past 3 days have called me by name looked me in the eyes and asked "so you don't know who I am?"... Are these people related to me? are they my brothers/sisters? How many of them are there out there? Am I even the oldest?

Part of me wants to know, but for two reasons I would never ask. Firstly I think that it would be a little disrespectful to say "yo pops, have you ever been on that Maury show?" and Secondly I think I would be devastated to find out that there are like 11 of us. I would drop dead right on the spot.... Maybe I'll ask when one of us is on our death beds, Lord knows I have alot of questions to ask that man...

Anyways, the kid or his mother never showed up, but she did call me. She apologized for not showing up, and told me that she appreciated my kindness. She also asked me if I would help her out in the future if she needed someone to watch him... I said yes, and I meant it.... Man, have I matured alot....

A day in her shoes.....

For the past 7 years, Zoe and I have spent the Sunday following her birthday hanging out with each other. It started back when Kyle worked for the TSA; his job required him to be away from us 3 weeks out of the month, and one of those weeks fell on Zoe's 2nd Birthday. It's nothing spectacular, I mean we usually go out for breakfast or lunch, run a few errands, take a car ride down town and just talk.

We ask each other whatever we want, no question is off limits and no matter what, we promise to tell the truth. We both enjoy the quiet (living in a house with two boys can be a little annoying sometimes), and the chance to have some real girl talk. We've talked about everything from the birds and the bees, to how much cheese is too much (the girl loooves cheese). I'm not usually a big fan of holding hands (I don't think people wash their hands enough) but days like this are the exception.

Today, we drove through South Philly, stopped at Boat House Row, and ran some errands. Zoe had so much to say... she even voiced her opinion on Barak Obama! She told me I looked like scooby doo from behind because of my hairstyle, and then laughed hysterically as I sang "Thank you for letting me be myself".

I really learned alot about her... I mean, I knew my girl was smart as a whip, but I never realized just how intelligent she was, she came up with wonderful ideas, and concepts. She made up funny little songs, and asked really good questions. I am so proud that she has her own beautiful mind with beautiful thoughts and dreams, and aspirations. I am happy that she is thoughtful and caring, and that she questions EVERYTHING!

I make it a point to spend quality time with Zoe, since that was something that I lacked as a child. Zoe and I have "Pizza Parties" and "sleep overs" (in each others rooms), but these Sundays are always so special to me.

Of course by the time we got back the house looked like a mess! We turned and looked at each other, backed outta the door, and went for milkshakes!

Zoe, I had fun and I look forward to September 13, 2009 !

A Birthday Shout Out!

Go Zoe, It's your Birthday!
Go Zoe, It's your Birthday!

Below is Zoe's Theme song. Every morning I sing it to her, and although she thinks it's getting a little corney she sings along with me...

To My favorite girl in the whole, wide world



Who Let the Dogs Out?

Love ya!

Foot Ball Season, My Favorite Time of the Year - - NOT

There's another woman, and her name is NFL!

Yesterday my husband left me for the NFL... I saw him watching her all day, talking to her and laughing with her. I've known about his obsession with her since I've met him, but I tried to be the bigger woman and let it go. But he's so darn blatant with it. He looks at her while I'm in the room, and checks out her stats when he says he "checking his email", and Sundays are the worse.

I tried to see what this NFL thing was all about, and decided to follow few players. When Bret Farve left the Packers I made notice, when that dude said that he would change his name to ocho cinco, I laughed at how ludicrous it was, especially since ocho cinco isn't even the Spanish word for eighty-five, I even joked about Michal Strahan's gap. I learn the player's names, and the teams that they play for. For a woman, I know quite alot about Rugby, um I mean football... But nothing works! He loves her.

The NFL has taken my husband, and now I'm out for blood!!! The Eagles SUCK! The Giants SUCK EVEN HARDER! I'm gonna be a Cowboy's Fan! Take that! Darn you FOX, Darn You ESPN, Darn you DirecTV!!

You just wait until Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sister, and The office all return this season. Don't you come knocking at my door when I'm laughing and smiling. Don't you ask me whats for dinner!

Day # 10,452 - Why?

Over the past few years I've been training myself to become more observant of what's going on around me, and a little slower to react. Back in the day I was a bit of a hothead. I cussed, and I didn't care, and I was really rude. But since my "transformation", I've begun noticing how people act, and how irking it could be, and trying to understand their motives.

Here are just a few things that I've noticed and quietly ask myself WHY?

1. Why do people blow their horns in traffic? I mean If there was somewhere for me to go, chances are I'd be there.


2. Why do parents ignore all warnings, and put their children in cars without car/booster seats?


3. Do you really have to talk so loud to someone that is standing right next to you? I mean really....


4. Don't you see the ring? Aren't I with my kids? Do you really have to say "what's up ma'"to EVERY woman that walks by? And why do you have to call me names when I ignore you? Yo' Mamma! lol


5. Don't you know how much money you have before you come into the store? Why do you try to buy ALL that stuff, and then act surprised when you dig in your pocket to only find $27.38.


6. Did you really have to bring your kid out in just a pamper and a pair of shoes? Is it really that hot? Did you run out of pants?


7. Can you control your kid? I mean , he's cute as all goodness, but I am really tired of him ramming that darn cart into my heels. Imma git 'em if you don't...


8. How did you get my phone number and If I haven't returned ANY of your calls, why do you keep calling me?


9. Do you really think that you're God's gift to women? I mean you walk around strutting your "stuff". Guess what? They're just not that into you!


10. Is it really necessary to BLAST your car stereo? So what you have new sub woofers, on your pimped out Monte Carlo. I admit the car is hot, I even like your 22's, but please, please, please turn your stereo down! My kid's gonna get SBS (shaken baby syndrome) over here.


11. How limited is your vocabulary that you HAVE to cuss at your kid? It's really sad.

Day # 10,499 - First Day of School

Today was Zoe's first day of Second Grade.

Last year this time she refused to allow me to photograph the day, but she was all smiles this morning, posing and grinning whenever she saw the camera. I felt a little sad today, because I'm slowly realizing that my little girl is growing up so fast. It feels like yesterday that the little stump on her umbilical cord fell of and Kyle and I were looking around for it freaking out... I remember the first time she sat up, and I screamed so loud that I scared her and she fell back and bumped her head on the floor....

GET YOUR HANDS OFFA ME!!!

Today I was hugged.....um acosted by a person that I know but not that well. This woman who I speak to almost everyday in a very non personal way, ran up to me and hugged me while I was dropping Zoe off for her first day at school.

Boy, was I uncomfortable! I came home, excused myself and quickly washed away the hug that left me kinda embarrassed.

I was trying to figure out all day why she would hug me... like I said I know her name, and that's about it....

I can only equate this feeling to what the boy in the video below must've been feeling....

In the words of my 2 year old niece "I'm sceeeeeary" ....lol

Day # 10,494 Miami Again???

Neither Kyle nor I looked forward to returning to Miami. In order to get a cheaper plan ticket we decided to extend our vacation by staying a night in Miami and flying out on Saturday… bad decision… The hotel, Courtyard Marriot on NW 79th street had beautiful grounds; however it was smack dab in the middle of nowhere and the staff were rude, no one gave you eye contact and the room had a funny “wet” smell. The hotel itself wasn’t too kid friendly, there were no cribs offered, and absolutely no changing tables available in any of the public bathrooms. We dodged traffic (literally) to eat at what tasted like tissue paper on bread at burger king, and walked down to a gas station to get a qt of milk for Miles. We spent a lot of time at the pool, which seemed to clear out as soon as we walked through the gate, and ordered food from a Chinese restaurant. The food was great but it took them 45 minutes to arrive, and when they did arrive the delivery man presented us with a receipt that had an additional $2 on it that they couldn’t explain. Kyle being the calm dude that he is told the delivery guy who was speaking a mixture of Chinese & Spanish (Kyle dubbed it Spanese) that he could keep the $2 as a tip, ad tried to close the door.. and that’s when all hell broke loose. The delivery guy started yelling and screaming that we better give him a tip or else… Kyle told dude to get out of the door, NOW, and that kinda put an end to it… It was scary…. What’s up with Miami and Tips??? The next day we got out of dodge… The funny part is that as we were boarding the plane I heard “Welcome to Miami” over the loud speaker… too funny….

Day # 10,493 Day at Sea

Our last day on the cruise seemed to whiz right past us, we woke up around 9:30 and lazily went about our day. Kyle & Zoë went back to the pool, while Miles and I went to Bingo, and then back to our room for lunch and a nap. By the time I awoke, I found our whole family sprawled out across the bed asleep. We saw another dancing show, looked at our pictures in the photo shop, and went back to our room to watch the Bucket list. By the time we awoke, it was time for us to go.

Day # 10,492 - Cozumel Mx

Personally I didn’t care too much for Cozumel, but Kyle and the kids loved it. To save time and money in taxi fares, we rented a jeep for the day. This decision, which I initially thought was not wise, allowed us to drive the island at our own pace. Good Call, Kyle. We went to Paradise beach where the kids enjoyed playing n the sand, and water, while Kyle enjoyed a 20 minute massage. We ate fajitas until our stomachs popped and then bathed in the sun. We left the beach and explored the rest of the island. With about 80% of the island being underdeveloped, the majority of our ride was spent ooing and aahing at the reefs. We stopped at a vendor whose goods ranged from handmade hats and blankets, carved stone & wooden calendars, mosaics, masks, knives, basins and maracas. We spent about 70$, asked for directions and went about our ways. As we drove down town into the residential part of Cozumel we saw the people who make us Cozumel’s population of approximately 73,193. It was a school day so we got to see little children on their way home from school, and people walking their dogs. We even saw a woman driving a moped with a baby on her lap, at first I was like “awww look at that baby on that moped”, and then I was like “Oh My Goodness, that baby is on a moped!” It was scary and funny all at once. The poor baby couldn’t have been no more than 10 months old. We got a little turned around, so we had to stop and ask for directions. Since I am the best Spanish speaker in the family I had the honor of asking for directions… So we, pull into a gas station and I asked the clerk “Donde esta Punta Lagoasta?” in almost perfect Spanish if I say so myself. The clerk, who appears to be a 20 something Mexican looks around and turns a little red. She was like “”um, poonta que?”. For a minute I started to freak out cause I thought that maybe punta didn’t mean what I thought it meant… I searched through my memory ,trying to remember if punta was a cuss word or not… breathe Trish, breathe… lol the red faced lady finally responded by saying “Habla Ingles?” I say “si” and realize that this Mexican didn’t speak Spanish! She was like “your Spanish is better than mine and I’m Mexican” we shared a laugh, she gave me directions, and we rushed back to the boat with just enough time for dinner. Good times, good times….

Formal Night

Day # 10,491 - Key West Fla.

Compared to Miami, Key West was a breath of fresh air. Hot, humid air, but fresh nonetheless. Originally we planned on strolling around town, but the heat forced us to jump on a trolley tour for instant relief. Aaron, our tour guide form trolley tours of America, was great. He gave us info on the town, showed us the beaches, Ernest Hemmingway’s home as well as his favorite watering holes, we visited the southernmost point in the US, and visited the shops on Doral Street. Kyle and I instantly fell in love with Key West and promised to vacation there again, and even make it our new home one day.

Day # 10,490 - The Crusie

This was miles 1st, Zoë’s 2md and the 3rd for Kyle and I. Carnival calls themselves the fun ship and I understand why. The cruise had something for each and every age group. From camp carnival for the little ones to casinos, and R rated comedy shows for the old heads like you and Kyle… Each night the entertainment crew put on wonderful shows, our favorite being “far from over a dancing and singing celebration of the 80’s. It was like so you think you can dance and America’s Best Dance Crew times 5. When I say fantastic, I mean fan friggin tastic! They did Prince, Janet Jackson, Madonna, and my favorite Michael Jackson….plus many many more. We (Zoë & I) were hooting and hollering and having a grand time, Kyle just sat there smiling, and Miles was in total awe. The accommodations were way better than we expected. They even went out of their way to provide a crib for Miles, and a Murphy bed for Zoë. The Murphy bed was cool for about an hour, until she kept opening and closing it….. There was plenty of closet and drawer space and a shower huge enough for me to supervise Zoë and Miles as they bathed. The Stewarts did a wonderful job of keeping up with us. They knew our names (one of them actually freaked me out when he was like “Hello Patricia”. I was like who the?) and amazed the kids with the towel animals. The Food, oh, man let me tell you, there was lamb, hotdogs, pork chops, pasta, fries, roast beef, basa filet, fruit, fresh bread, hamburgers, whipped butter, ham, turkey, shrimp and ANYTHING else you can think of. If you wanted it, they had it, and if you didn’t see it, all you had to do was ask. There were at least 5 pools on board, with 2 of them being kiddy pools. There were some hot tubs, but I didn’t venture into any. Zoë and Kyle made sure that they took advantage of the waterslide, while Miles and I did what we do best…. Eat. We played bingo a few nights and tried our luck at 80’s trivia, who knew that General Lee was the name of Bo & Luke Duke’s car, and that there were 5 Village People??? . We also met a lot of people with interesting storied, like Ken a man from Mt. Airy who scuba dives even though he’s in a wheel chair.

Day # 10,489 - Welcome to Miami?

First off, let me tell you that no one welcomed us to Miami! For years I imagined that beautiful men and women would dance up to us singing bienviedos a Miami. I guess welcomes like that only happen in Will Smith videos…lol.

Our first impression of Miami was ugh! It was unwelcoming, hot and muggy, and a little on the rude side. The luggage handler demanded tips and made us feel like something would happen to our stuff if we refused.
Below are pics:

On the plane

Miles tripping

Kyles listening to treats of

lost luggage if tips not given

Day # 10, 465 - Quality daycare – It’s not a privilege, it’s a right!

Earlier this afternoon, I had the pleasure (and I use that term loosely) to take our older kids to the movie to see Shreck 2. The last time I took them I vowed that I would never return, and now I remember why. My kids were great! They followed directions, they say quietly, they didn’t kick or rock chairs, and they even held their bodily functions to the end of the show (thanks Derek). However, another daycare, Johnson Child Care, made this experience pure hell.

Here’s what I learned about Johnson Daycare. They are located at 1935 Medary Avenue, 19141 operates out of what appears to be a church. They provide care (allegedly) to approximately 160 children. They also have a summer camp program.

On this particular day, 3 adults were charged with taking about 60 kids (ranging in age 6 -15) to the Pearl Movie Theater at Broad & Cecil B. More.

Pause: The ratio; as set by the Office of Child care Development (OCDEL) as well as the PA Department of Welfare (which licenses daycare providers), is 11 children to each staff member. You do the math!

Anyways, the kids were out of control and the staff (if that’s what you want to call them) were not equipped to deal with them. The staff were crude (and I’m being very nice) , they yelled at them , degraded them by calling them names and mocking them, I heard them tell at least 15 of the kids to Shut The Heck up, and one of them called two teen age boys N’s.

Once the movie started, children as young as 6 were allowed to go to the bathroom alone… completely alone!

Pause: I am 28 years old, and every time I go to a public restroom, I think of that scene out of Vanish when Sandra Bullocks got herself all kidnapped cause she had to pee. Zoë, who is 7 still pees with the bathroom door open... In our own House!!!

Okay, let me finish. During the movies the “Staff” were nowhere to be found. The kids were randomly walking around, and talking about all kinds of nonsense. There were 6 year old girls sitting in between 14 and 15 year old boys talking about stuff that would make Hugh Heffner blush. Close your Mouth…

By now I’m furious! All I can think about is how I would feel if I found out that my daughter was sitting in the middle of a conversation about D**ks and Boobies. I excuse myself from the madness, and I step out into the lobby. I see one of the “staff” smoking (in a theater!!)and , shooting the breeze with all the rest of the staff. I walk over to Ms. Thang; with her too short shorts and too small halter top, and I ask her if she’s the chaperone for JCC. After she looks me up and down like I stole her mink, she admits that she is. It’s real hard, but I’m trying to remain calm. I tell her that the kids are acting up, and being a little unruly, and she says “Oh, Okay” and smiles at me. She turns away, and continues her conversation. I go back into the theater after maybe a good two minutes have elapsed, and I check in on my four, and they’re all good. There’s about 5 minutes left to the movie and guess who decided to join the fun. The Staff from JCC. They come in, but never sit down. At the end of the show, on our ways out, one of them had the nerve to tell me (to my face) that they would call my boss to let them know how I was today. I laughed out loud at that notion, and gave her the telephone number. (she never called)

When I got home I did call to complain about what I saw, and how I felt. The director of the center seemed to express genuine concern, and she even apologized for her staff’s behavior. I told her that I intended to write a formal complaint, which I have already mailed out.

The point to this whole story is that you have to be extremely careful where you send your children. When you select a so called home away from home, you have to make sure that you know what kind of home the staff/owners/directors come from/live in. And where their principles lie. I don’t mean to make another daycare look bad, but it seems as though a lot of daycares are doing a good job on their own.

As a parent, (with alot of Old School values) I am extremely concerned with who my children’s friends are, and the type of care and education my own children receive. It hurts when I see children (especially little children) that are not properly cared for, and I really believe that misconception that economics and/or demographics have anything to do with the level of care you give your children.

As a daycare owner, who is still trying to find my way, I look at these poor examples as learning experiences (for myself, my staff, as well as the children I provide care for). On our way back, I discussed with the children appropriate and inappropriate behaviour.

And no matter how much “bling” I end up with in life, I will never loose focus of what got me started in this business to begin with.

Day# 10,463 - Trish For President 2008

Day # 10,462 - What I've Learned from My Kids

These little people have taken over my life, but They've taught me so many valuable lessons. Here are a few that I'd like to share:

1. There is no such thing as tiredness
   Every time either one of them is going to bed is because they want it, not because they're tired. It’s like a little concession thay make to us, the parents, when they sees that we barely can keep our eyes opened. Tiredness is a state of mind. The way theyre is connected with other sources of energy, and their uninterrupted flow of actions, are just so incredible. I just want to reconnect to those sources sometimes…
2. No hard feelings
   She’s never having any regrets at all. I start to believe that regrets are the invention of the grown up people. It’s something that we invented in order to escape happiness. The gap between her sadness and happiness moments is zero. She’s moving through her emotions with zero efforts and zero regrets. Whenever I manage to do this I’m experiencing an incredible state of joy and happiness…
3. Don’t hate, ignore
   I’m amazed about the way he's treating other kids. If he likes them, he’s playing with them. If not, he’s simply ignoring them, regardless of what they are doing. He doesn’t know the word “revenge”, nor the concept itself, and even if he’s forced to share the same space with an aggressive kid, he’s just ignoring him. It’s like the other guy doesn’t exists in the same space. So much to learn from this… (Update: Miles has had his first taste of flesh (sorry DCGF),but other than that he's no hater;))
4. Everyone can (and sometimes wants) to be manipulated
   The moment she learned to conscioussly cry, she learned how to manipulate us. We’re doing our best not to fall for these phases, but it’s not about that. It’s about the fact that most of the people can (and most of the time want) to be manipulated (please read “influenced” here), and that’s one of the most important things she's taught me. Don’t think everything or everyone is set in stone, you can change everything or everyone - including yourself - if you really want…