Olbermann to Palin: Are You Smarter than a 3rd Grader???

Keith Olbermann's special comment to Sarah Palin, who still has no clue what the Vice President does.

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End of the First Grading Period

On Thursday my boys will learn the fate of their beloved PSP's, Gamecube and Playstation. Parent teacher conference are being held and although I'm hopeful, I am prepared to be slightly disappointed. The only thing that matters is that they give their best.

On a completely different note, I picked up Maya Angelou's latest novel, Letter To My Daughter. She is one of my favorite authors and I'm excited to read her newest work. I'll give an update once I've finished. Have a great week!

Progress reports

Friday was D-day for every student in the South Bend Community School Corporation. Mine were no exception.

Question for the teachers out there. If you have a student who is either failing or in danger of failing your class, do you contact parents or do you just send out progress reports and wait for the phone lines to jam with the many phone calls you will receive come Monday morning?

Both of my boys attend the same intermediate center within S.B.C.S.C. I was caught off guard with the grades they received in a few classes. Since Monday, I have spoken with five different teachers from their school.

All students are provided with a planner to write down assignments in an effort to help with organization, but this should not replace contact from the teacher if a child is missing an assignment(s).

To make a long story short, the boy's room is now Xbox free, Playstation free and PSP free until further notice. I most certainly hold them accountable for the academic success, but I also am frustrated with the attitude of some teachers as well.

My daughter the Debutante

A rite of passage for young Black women in our community is the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholarship Cotillion. It's held every two years and young ladies who are juniors and seniors in high school are invited to participate.

There are invitations, applications and interviews. Community service activities, workshops and rehearsals. Let's not forget escort's and father's learning minuets and waltzes.

It's a throwback from way back and I'm tickled pink that my only daughter has decided to participate. To be honest, I thought there would be a lot of eye-rolling and teeth gnashing, but to my surprise there was none of that. I think she wants to do it as much as I want her to participate.

Back story: My deceased mother was an AKA Soror and this was one of the few things she would have insisted that my daughter participate in. Please understand, it would not have taken much prodding. My daughter loves her grandmother to pieces and I do believe this is the reason she has been so accommodating, to pay tribute to her Nana.

WSJ Editorial Board Hits McCain For Cox Threat:

The conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board excoriates John McCain for saying he would fire Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Chris Cox:

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Words Cannot Express...

what millions of us witnessed last night--HISTORY!!! When Sen. Obama stepped out on that stage and accepted the nomination for President of the United States, I immediately choked up. I'm tearing up even as I write this. It's simply incredible! If you for some reason did not or were not able to see it, go to www.jackandjillpolitics.com to see this unforgettable moment.

So Hard to Let Go

My boys are ages 13 & 11. For the last few weeks their sister has been summering in Chicago. The boys have been busy with camp and swimming lessons. Due to my work schedule, I had to come to grips with the fact that I need to give them more responsibility. This past week they have travelled to and back home from their swimming lessons solo!

For those of you who don't have children may not understand the significance of this event, let's just say it's huge! Up until this week, anywhere my children needed to go, they were either driven by yours truly or transported by another friend or family member.

At this time, I do not own a vehicle. I take public transportation to and from work each day and any other place I need to go. I am blessed to have people in my life that offer rides to and from the grocery store, but with the current price of gas, I make those requests few and far between.

I am very fortunate that my boys are really good kids. They have followed my instructions to the tee and come straight home without detouring. I cannot take all the credit, but I am grateful and proud.

As hard as this past week has been for me, it was necessary for their growth and development. They are building confidence and self esteem in their ability to function without me. It's gut wrenching for parents, but imperative for their level of maturation.

I'm sure my own mother is looking down on me and laughing; enjoying watching me go through the paces with her grandchildren. I was the most stubborn and independent child and if what they say is true about your own children, I'm in for one hell of a ride! Pray for me.

They almost got me...

I have been on the receiving end of some mysterious phone calls for the last two or three days. Today I was at home when this one came in.

I can't speak for other cities, but our local news stations constantly do PBA's for consumers warning them selves about phising. The practice of someone calling an individual, pretending to be a legitimate business associated with their bank.

Well, lo and behold, it happened to me. As I mentioned, I've been receiving calls from a strange number that I did not recognize. The call originated from Quebec or so my caller i.d. has identified.

The young man on the other end of the phone asked for me by first and last name. He then introduced himself (not his real name, I'm sure). He gave me the name of the "company" and asked me if I banked with "X" institutuion.

It struck me as strange that he new where I conducted my banking business. He went on to explain that my account protection was about to expire and in order to extend it I would need to make two payments. This is where my gut kicked in. I asked questions and informed him that I never received any information from my bank about this service.

The next thing I know I was listening to a dial tone. So as a warning to anyone out there. Ask a lot of questions if you receive a call from someone you are not familiar with.

FYI, the phone mumber I received the call from was 514-481-9183. When I attempted to call the number it simply rang. Never went to voice mail or answering machine. Beware people and stay on your toes. If this can happen to a single mom with very little money; it can happen to you too.

Jack and Jill Politics: Saturday Open Thread - Come on in!

Jack and Jill Politics: Saturday Open Thread - Come on in!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-grahamesmith/6-other-things-that-arent_b_105505.html

What a weekend!

I need to express my utter contempt for our local gas company. If I barely had the $131.00 per month on the "budget" program; why would they think I now have $901.59 to pay in one month?! I am not the only one in this situation. Many others who participate in the gas company's budget plan during the winter, are now being extorted out of hundreds of dollars too.

While trying to plan how to best deal with my latest household crisis, I learned that Tim Russert passed away. I was so shocked to hear this sad news. It took me back to the passing of my own mother, very suddenly at the age of 57. I can only pray for Mr. Russert's family. God bless them.

It's Father's Day weekend and there's not a child in sight. They're spending the weekend w/dad! What's a single mom to do? I suppose studying for my upcoming LSAT on Monday might be a good idea. Honestly, it's hard to concentrate knowing I will be unable to bathe, cook or wash clothes the day after my test.

Food for thought (that you can actually afford)

I was blessed to discover a wonderful organization that helps struggling families stretch their food dollar. http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ is "the funky hook-up"!

They are in many states nationwide. Each month the menu changes. You wiill spend a minimum of $30 and a max of $90, depending on how many specials you add to your base order. Visit the website and see for yourself.

A snipet of a recent conversation with my sister.

"...I'd better get my stakes in the marinade, so I can have dinner ready before boy 1's baseball game."

"Steaks, where in the shell did you get money for steaks?"

"I've been meaning to tell you about the funky hook up! Go to this website http://www.anglefoodministries.com/ and check it out."

My sister placed her first order two days ago. Oh, I should mention, she resides in Illinois and I am in Indiana. Don't take my word for it, see for yourself. You and your wallet will thank me!

Bombarded by the holidays

Since my last entry, I hosted Thanksgiving dinner for approximately sixteen. What a workout! I surprise myself each holiday. I had a wonderful teacher in my mother. It's amazing how much you absorb, even when you're not really listening.

I don't know how anyone, myself inculded, deals with constant drama. The night before Thanksgiving, a good friend called to inform me that her significant other had physically assaulted her. I was livid! Surprisingly, he was arrested and taken to jail. Not due to the actions of my friend, but because of the actions of a third party. After such a horrific ordeal, I insisted she and her children join us for Thanksgiving. She accepted the invitation and cried most of the time she was there. Although she expressed her desire to move on, I decided that I was done with drama. Hers, mine, anyone's. I'm with Mary J. Blige--"No more drama".

Christmas was wonderful! Just me and the kids, my step-dad, and the man who made the day even more special for my babies--#1 baby daddy. To bring you up to speed, there are two. Number 1 has for many years been a source of insecurity for the men in my life, including and especially number 2. It was the reason for many disagreements/arguments. I digress. I'll go into detail at a later time.

New Year's was quiet. Well if you consider gunshots ringing feet/yards from your doorstep quiet. I should clarify. No wild parties, just watching Dick Clark and the ever blinding crystal ball drop in Times Square.

Now, a holiday I have dreaded for many years is upon me. This year I do not have the same feelings of despair. I look forward to it. Spending nine months in prison tends to give you a different set of glasses to see the world through.

I currently occupy my time working part-time at a local community college. I have found a project, that is near and dear to my heart, to persue; and I have registered for the June 2008 LSAT . Yes folks, that's right. I'm going to law school.

Law school has been a dream of mine for some time. I have taken the LSAT twice before. The first time I cancelled my score after leaving in tears. I gave it another try. My score was awful and that was as for as it went. This time I'm going after my dream understanding the other side of the law in ways I never dreamed. I've always like helping others, but this time it's personal.

The Search Continues

I believe I have found a honest-to-goodness legitimate home-based business opportunity. This 20 year old company promotes health and wellness with over 300 organic, all-natural, non-toxic comsumable products. Even if I wasn't interested in the business opportunity, the benefits of being a customer a well worth the benefits for our household.

Home based business warning

I want to warn as many people as possible who may get sucked into a home based business opportunity called Typing4Dollars.com. For weeks I received emails from them after opening one sent to me by a friend trying to assist me in my efforts to find work I could do from home.

For $47 the site states that " 7 minutes after reading this, you could be earning $143.50 to as much as $924.73 a day doing easy data entry for companies who desperately need your help." I thought this sounded like something I could sink my teeth into. They even have examples of the work you would be doing. It was straightforward enough.

Yesterday, I took the plunge. I received two emails. The first thanking me for my order. The second, sending me information to get started. As I read the second email and started to follow the instructions; I soon realized I was the victim of the old switcheroo. The business you are directed to is how to start your own blog and make money doing it. Hello! Already have one. Not what I was looking for.

I have since made three phone calls to GMB Direct, 305 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 11214 (800)413-1628. The first two calls were pertaining to my belief that they simply had not sent the information I was looking for. It was not until the third phone call that I was asked if I wanted a refund because the blogging business is what the offer is now. The young lady I spoke with was not interested in answering my questions. Mainly, why the site advertises one thing then sends you another. That's crap!

I am waiting on a confirmation email regarding my refund. I was also informed that it would be 10 to 14 business days for me to receive my refund. Funny, it didn't take them that long to take it. My PSA for potential victims. Be careful. Write down everything. Save emails.

Back on the market

I have decided to make myself available to single young men once again. My last serious relationship was almost 10 years ago. Needless to say, it ended badly. My parents died a year apart. I moved to Arizona, only to return home a year later. I made a decision to take a time-out from relationships. Who knew it would be so long. It was for the best.

The idea of meeting someone new, going out to dinner, taking walks and talking on the phone no longer seems to be a daunting task or chore. It is something I look forward to experiencing once again. It's true what they say, you can't be happy with someone else until you're happy with yourself.

A nice p.o.?

Now that I have completed house arrest, I will be on probation for the next two years. I must admit that I was less than excited to meet with my probation officer.

During the course of any criminal case, the presiding judge orders what's called a pre-sentencing report. Well, the person who completed mine was less that objective. Keep in mind prior to the accident, I had no prior criminal history. I had been on my job for five years and I had several people writing letters on my behalf. In spite of that, she recommended that I received the maximum sentence--8 years! Fortunately, the judge completely disagreed. What I did receive was 5 years. Three suspended, serve two. In Indiana we have a 2 for 1 program, so in essence as long as I behaved myself I would only serve 12 months.

Well, I served 9 of the 12 months in prison and the last 3 were completed on house arrest. My probation officer was surprised that I received any time at all, given my lack of criminal history. She is not the first person to make that statement. Long story, short; she was very personable and encouraged me to pursue correcting a blatant wrong. More on that later.

I was so floored that the experience went as well as it did, I'm still not sure it happened. It was a pleasant twist in a humbling experience.

A good father is hard to find

Although I didn't speak to my oldest child's father for almost two months after returning home from prison; I have to give credit where credit is due.

He's a great father. When I called him after my accident, he came. While I went back and forth to court, he supported me. Once I was sentenced, he freaked out. We all did.

During my incarceration my children were separated from each other. My oldest went to live in Chicago with her father. My boys remained in South Bend with my best friend of 20 plus years and his lovely wife. It was not my ideal scenario, but in the end it turned out alright.

Being a parent is a learn as you go experience. I believe we are both better parents and better friends as a result of this whole experience. I couldn't have picked a better father for my daughter. He's not perfect, who is? But when it comes to his "cutie pie" there's nothing he won't do.

I was very angry with him for a long time, but I've come to realize that his heart was in the right place and he was just as traumatized by my sentence as I was.

I'm sure you're wondering about my son's. I'll say this. Lightning did not strike twice in the father department. The father of my boy's lives in the same city, but is so absent some days I have to remind myself of his name.

The 2007-08 school year begins

This summer has just flown by! In just a couple of days a new school year begins. I must say I have accomplished quite a bit since returning home and I'm proud of myself for doing so. I had the hardwood floors refinished, purchased two new major appliances, repaired another major appliance and managed to improve the landscaping around our home. Irma Bombeck Who?!

My oldest child started taking driver's ed last week and I believe I've sprouted a few new grey hairs. Why didn't my mother leave a notebook for me. I'm sure she is enjoying watching me go through the paces with her grandchildren.

My mother passed away soon to be eight years ago in December 1999. This was an earth shattering and life changing event. No one is ever ready to loose a parent. I lost my mother and father twelve months apart.
My father passed away December 1998. Yeah, it sucked.

After losing my father, I relocated to Arizona to attend paralegal school and to begin a new life. I returned home missing one assignment to complete my coursework. Although I intended to submit that final project, after the death of my mother it was no longer a priority. Over the last eight years, I have blossomed into a pretty effective parent. I have not always made good choices, but I believe I have learned from the mistakes I have made.

Well, here it goes...

I mentioned, in my original post, being in trouble up to my eyeballs. That was somewhat of an understatement.

On May 29, 2006 I returned home from prison. I had been sentenced to serve a two year sentence for OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) resulting in death. The accident and the resulting consequences were life altering for the family of the victim and for my family as well.

I can hear the gasps and the questions. Someone died?! Why did she get so little time?! Yes, someone died. I will have to forever live with the knowledge that I caused another human being to lose their life. I accept responsibility for my decision to drink and drive. Although it was not my intention that fateful day to become involved in a three car accident, I was. I believe the reason behind my "light" sentence was due to my lack of any prior criminal history. My involvement in the accident was not directly with the victim who died. I was struck by a 2nd vehicle after pulling back into traffic from a parking lot. That vehicle then lost control and crossed the center line striking a third vehicle head on. The driver of the third vehicle died from her injuries a few days later. But for my actions, a family would still have their mother, grandmother and friend.

The most important lesson I want to impart to anyone who may read this is no matter how much you've had to drink, even if it's just "a few"; never get behind the wheel or get into a car with anyone who has been drinking.

Long time, no blog...

Since, my last (and only) entry, I have decided to give this blogging thing a chance. I have some valuable information to share and a few interesting stories too. This will be difficult, but necessary. I pray that it will help someone along the way.