Our First Day of School

Family and friends, you may recognize this photograph.  I sent it to everyone in my address book yesterday, for it was Noelle's first day of school! 

We work up very early and we began our routine of stretching, taking care of our hygiene, dressing, breakfast, and off to school. In the words of Outcast, "Sooo fresh and so clean!" We were out the house for 7:15 and we had a bit of traffic, but we made it on time with a few moments to spare. 

The children lined up in the gym/auditorium and the parents, mostly the Pre-K parents were gathered with teachers and administrators.  Sharply at 8:00 a.m. the teachers began signaling for their classes to follow them, but the Pre-K parents were not moving.  The principal came over and gave out some hugs and said, "O.K. parents, you can go to work!"  We all laughed, but no one moved.  We stood there looking at the kids.  Then the camera phones came out.  Everyone took pictures and hesitated leaving their four-year-old babies. 

We walked with the kids to the class room, even though we had been dismissed, and we watched as the teacher and the Para Professional (teacher's aide), directed the kids to sit on the colorful carpet.  There was only one child crying.  I don't know what the other parents were thinking, but I was thinking, please don't be in my kids class.  She is going to compete for attention.  Keep in mind, I felt for the kid; I even said a prayer for him.  He was really having a tough time.  I said a prayer for myself too, because I was trying to be strong as well.  To my satisfaction, he was in the class next door.  I let out a quiet sigh of relief, "whew...!"

Again, we all started taking pictures.  "Oooooh look," was what most of the parents said as the kids followed instruction and got adjusted.  It was like a star studded event.  The children were all poised, posing and looking into the camera's.  Paparazzi everywhere!  Kids on display!  Then there was an odd moment of silence.  The teacher looked at the kids, then she looked at us, and said "bye!"  We were escorted out of the tiny classroom and reminded that pick-up time was at 3:30.  We all left like we had left something behind that we hoped that we didn't have to ( which in reality we did, our kids).  Even the typical young parent, who wanted nothing more than to go back home and go to bed, had a look of...I am really leaving him/her. 

The first day was hard, but I managed.  I, along with the other fourteen or so parents, were outside of the class at 2:15, highly anticipating out children's release from behind the door of the Pre-K classroom.  It was like a quote or a well rehearsed line..."So how was it!"

Please share your stories...

Valentines Day

Well it is almost that time of year again...Valentines Day.  This is the day when lovers profess their love for one another and they go out and do everything in their power to create the scene that will cause their partner to fall deeper in love.  Others have decided that this will be the introduction to the future as they plan to woe a secret attraction into a happily ever after.  They send secret notes filled with clues and hints hoping that someone else does not get the credit for their creativity.  Yes, we as consumers make Hallmark and the candy companies very happy as we spend limitless cash during this time of year.

Well as I watched television last night, and of coarse television land is doing their part to promote the holiday by offering creative ways to confront your love, and finally, to offer support to the lonely heart reminding he or she that it is only a day.  (Fight back...send yourself a valentines that's how you do it.)  Anyway I promise, I never thought to look up the origin of the world wide celebration until I heard an unknown television actress give a speedy account of the history of the holiday.  As many other celebratory days that we remember, we are celebrating the extinction of a real person.  Good vs Evil...

Valentines Day came about because a mater refused to abide by the rules and regulations of the Romans who denounced marriage because it was weakening the soldiers and making them not want to go to war. (whipped). Valentine was a laborer of love who put his life on the line to help two become one and tie the knot.  Well then the leaders, government, found out, they called him in, and they liked his swag.  They  they gave him a choice...yeah you guessed it...kiss the ring, bow to my master, join us or die!!!  Well Valentine was from the nine and he didn't mind dy'in so he said "do u bou" cause love is strong and it is worth dying for xoxoxo...peace.  Well they did just that...they killed him.  You know they were disrespected and mad because they over killed him.  They beat him down and then they cut off his head.  All in the name of love. 

For years the Good vs Evil saga continued and the leaders tested the waters as they openly pimped lil' Roman girls.  Finally, a leader was in office who was able to restore the good name of Valentine...usurp the evil paracices of past Deity, ( a new word I discovered today meaning god and goddess) a.k.a leaders, poloticians... and it was all in the name of love....
So they openly stepped at the festival that took place in February and it got better with time.

By the way...I was really surprised to find that the first card was written by a poet named Charles from Orleans...

So...what does that mean? 

To the cheaters who need to have more than one lover...get it together...you are a Roman who is disrespecting the memory of a man who died for the cause.  If you want to be single get in the single game. Stop ridding the fense...AIDS is real. 

For the shy person who is unsure if the time is right...you are not promised tomorrow..so tell them already. 

For the lovers who forgot what made you fall in love with your mate in the first place..it is a true fact you will miss them when they are gone...and you will be subjected to learning the good the bad and the ugly of some other person while comparing your newer model to your past mate.

He loves me X  He loves me not X

As I Digress

Bible teachings tell the story

that history repeats itself

early struggles

generations

we’re at war

fighting to the death

Leaders fumble

 personal agendas

 human interest out of mind

taxes soaring

pensions blowing

 401K funds decline

Democrats vs. Republicans

no agreement on the vote

African American President

popularity on the low

Cancer calling

dietary scares

what’s the issue with the FDA

who is looking out for our interest

toys/food recalls every day

Machines have taken over jobs

mass production in demand

quantity has precedence over quality

make the deadline

the money’s spent

Too afraid to live life

but must be brave if you want to live

should be better

with technology

but instead…

we’re frozen still

We’ve digressed…

Much needed prayers for the worldL

                                    

                            By: Jerrelda

I'll take some "Dirty Bird" please

Greetings All,
I intended to have a light snack last evening and get a jump on the cutback       (I won't say diet...I refuse to say diet...o.k., I could stand to shed a couple of lbs.).  Anyway, I ended up eating a full coarse meal!  I had a huge serving of "Dirty Bird," and so did every New Orleans Saints fan. 

On a serious note, I will admit, I was not one to adorn the game of football.  I am the female who the commercials mock.  You know the commercials that depict the female in front of the television when you (men) are looking for realization in front of the tube with a good game.  GUILTY!  However, I recently learned to respect the game.  To be exact, after New Orleans and the Atlanta Falcons met, for the first time after Hurricane Katrina, it was more than just a game.  It was a sign that we (New Orleans residents far and near) were resilient and we were down but not out...We had lost many prize possessions, but we had good spirit.  We all cheered (both Saints and Falcons) fans. 

The other day I asked a question, “What good do we have here as opposed to all of the juvenile crime that has spiraled out of control in the city of New Orleans?”  I did not get a response.  However I have a find!  As crazy as it may seem, we have Saints amongst us.  We are so proud of our football team!  Our Super bowl Championship team!  I am truly a visionary who understands that “the glass is half full.”  I would love to see the fans, the citizens, and the entire New Orleans suit up and take a stance against juvenile delinquency.  We need a clear plan in our playbook, huddle up and listen to the quarterback, and prepare for the stance against kids killing kids and growing up in jail.

On a better note…to be honest, I believe that both cities (Atlanta and New Orleans) look forward to the game.  It's like our local super bowl game.  With that said… well Atlanta...we (New Orleans Saints) hold the title and we look forward to the challenge next year.  Fans...please drive home safely.

BLESS U BOYS!!

"God Bless the Child that's got its Own"

Greetings,

I got an early start this morning as I left for work earlier than usual.  As I sat in my car waiting for the heat to kick in, I thought about my daughter (21 year old), who by the way is mad with me for fussing at her for having my grand kids out after midnight on last Sunday (it was freezing).  It is bothering me that she is mad with me, but I feel I did what I had to do.  As I sarcastically "laughed it off," I pulled out of the driveway and said, “This too shall pass.” 

I traveled my usual route to work listening to the radio anticipating what the day had in store for me.  As I prepared to exit the interstate I began to slow down.  I was quite aware that there have been an occasion or two when I exited I have witnessed the police issuing tickets to drivers who do not abide by speed limits (lol).  However, this time I did not see police.  I saw a girl walking along the interstate with one baby in tow and two young children walking in front of her.  It was not only early in the morning, but it was cold as ice (we are under a freeze warning).  I started to slow down more.   I could not just pass her by.   I “needed” to know if she needed assistance.  She was walking on the shoulder of the interstate with three babies.  As I rolled down the window to show my concern I looked at the child that she was holding.   I promise it was my granddaughter!    She looked so much like her.   I was about to ask why she had my granddaughter, but instead I said “where are you going…do you need help.”    She looked at me and responded, “I’m going to the Section 8 office on Touro Street.”  She did not hesitate nor did she respond as if she were looking for pity.   She spoke to me, and to translate what I saw and heard…"I’m going to do what I have to do…I have had it with my present situation.”    

Now I saw an eighteen wheeler approaching from behind and for fear of causing an accident I told her that I would be waiting for them around the bend.  She only had a few more steps and I was not willing to put the children in any additional danger.  As I exited, as promised I was waiting for her but I saw another lady coming towards my car looking as if she was about to go up the interstate.  Now I was confused because I thought I was missing something.  I was curious as to why these ladies were walking up and down the interstate.  I said to her, “where are you going.”  I was all up in every bodies business this morning.    I never noticed that she was the driver of the car that was pulled over in front of me.  She responded, “Did you see that girl with those babies?  I’m going to see if she needs a ride.”  I said “That’s who I am waiting for too.”  She then said, that’s alright, I got her.”  I didn’t argue.  I was just moved by the response. 

See she took responsibility, and for whatever the reason, she said, “I am going to the Section 8 office to day on this day I have had enough.”    She started the journey and I don’t know how far she had walked, but God sent her not one ride, but two.  I allowed the lady to continue with her mission and I bid them well and continued on my way.  I figured that it didn’t matter which one of us gave her the ride, as long as she got one.

I thought about the baby again and I realized that I never looked at the other children.  I only noticed the baby that was in her hands.  The baby that had a striking resemblance to my granddaughter.  I wondered what the message was.  Am I too hard on my daughter?  Should I let up and not push her to be responsible and demand that she is responsible for her kids.  As I drove about another mile or so I came up with the conclusion that I refuse to believe that her strength (the girl walking the interstate), should be relayed as a sign of weakness.  That’s the determination that I want my daughter to tap into.  As the saying goes, if I give her a fish she will eat for a day.  If I teach her to fish, she will never go hungry.  Sure I hurt when I have to put my foot down with my daughter (kids).  However, if I don’t, she will still be mad in the end anyway.  She will also be mad with herself.

Truce! Wave the white flag...

There is enough in the world for everyone to have plenty to live on happily at peace and still get along with their neighbors.  -Harry S. Trueman/Acts of Faith

Once again, New Orleans residence have learned of the rash of violence involving perpetrators and victims who reside primarily urban communities which have been identified as areas where residents are poverty stricken and/or have a substantially low social economic status. Pre-Katrina the city was labeled as one of the most dangerous cities.  Now five years later, in the mist of families still displaced , some still fighting with the federal government to award them fair market value for their homes, or those who are battling successions and other legal issues, we are slowly reclaiming our title as the most dangerous city. 

Currently the bad would outweighing the good (in urban communities) if we had to consider all things.  Children are being left behind as the public school board fights with the charter schools and the creditability of the catholic schools are questioned.  We have decentralized weed possession and increased taxes, trash collection is big business, and the revolving door to the parish prison has just got additional oil to the hinges as the public defenders have organized and said put up or shut up. 

On the other hand there is good, the Saints won the Super Bowl (who would have thought). pause.....
Well I thought long and hard but I am at a loss for thought as it relates to the good things that are happening here in New Orleans in the urban communities.  Help me out...there has to be something good that is happening.  Talk to me...

Enjoy the skin you are in

Greetings
It is an honor to be a blogger and I promise that I will be conscience about the information that I post for my readers.  I want to have an opportunity to connect with you and to seriously find solutions