B is for Brother

 


James II has been there through it all...poor guy!

Jesse just joined the fun!

God gave me one brother when I was almost three years old; He led me to find the others over time. One by blood, two by marriage, and two by the love in my heart. I am blessed with all of these men...most days! On the other days, I am bombasted with bumptious (adjective meaning disagreeable) picking and teasing that would make you think I grew up with them all making blanket forts in the living room and fighting over who gets the last roll at dinner. Most importantly, I know they all love me. I know that I am blessed by brothers.

Gayla with Mike and Jeremy, brothers of my heart.

The Scarlet Letter

I can remember my sister Gayla telling me when we were in high school that she had read the first book that she ever liked...The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn. When we were young 20-somethings, I can remember she told me she loved the movie even though it was a complete off-road trek from the book (I think it was the sex/love scene). For some reason, I did not ever read Hawthorn-man's opus, but recently, I got sucked into the movie. HARD PASS if you are thinking this is a review. From what I read online the book is depressing as all get out. The movie wraps everything up into a nice, little, flower-covered package. Blah on both!

With the "Blogging from A to Z Challenge" in mind, I decided that the first post for the letter A should be about about the crimson letter A that philandering Hester had to don on her person for Adultery. For the standard definition of adultery, make note of where I stand. IF YOU ARE MARRIED OR COMMITTED TO ANOTHER PERSON, THEN YOU DO NOT LET ANOTHER INTO YOUR HEART OR YOUR BRITCHES. No shades of gray here...it's black and white. Be faithful. Be a man or woman of your word and honor your commitment. 

Still this is not where I wanted to go with this post. Being the mother of a teen, I have spent the last few years worrying and stressing over the message to provide Darling Daughter when it comes to sexual relationships outside and before marriage. The first couple of years of her curiosity I spent teaching her the biology of her body and the hormones engulfing her senses. For added measure, I stressed the part about sexually transmitted diseases. 

When she approached the relationship years, DD's father and I added an addendum, "Who you love is up to you; just make sure you have a connection of the heart and the mind." Now that we are in the really scary years, the mama in my heart wants to tell her, "No sex without marriage!" Since reality and history tell me this is naive, uneducated and...duh!...hypocritical, my pearl of wisdom is, "Be a kid as long as you can. When you add sex to a relationship, it takes it to a level of intensity that you're just not ready for yet."

I am blessed by this wonderful young woman whom I call Daughter. She has the maturity and wisdom of someone twice her age on this front. She asks questions. I give her the real, straightforward answers, sometimes leaving her wishing that I pulled a few punches every now and again. I say a prayer of thanks every day that she comes to me for straight talk about the most serious (and sometimes silly) issues. I pray that I haven't screwed her up too much. I beg God to let us always have this open relationship. And to make sure I am not too far off base, I scour the earth for articles, books, etc. about parenting teens on sex. 

For straightforward, teen-speak information, I can recommend the Scarleteen web site. I look at the teens I teach each day and see that some of them have no Mama-J at home with whom they can have truthful and frank discussions about sex, and this site is an information explosion attacking the issue of youths and sex in the most honest way. Check out their philosophy here.

ABC Blogging in April--Year Three



Join the Challenge by clicking on the pic!

 Nope! Contrary to the wildest imaginations out there, I have not, in fact, been abducted by aliens, unless you count the hormone-saturated pre-adults that I have been trying to force-feed an education into for the last seven months. I have missed blogging. In truth, each Sunday I tell myself I will pry my "second face" from the sofa, put down the clicker, and stop watching Pitch Perfect for the millionth time so I can get to my computer and blog about the epiphany I am having at that moment. Take a look to see how many times I listened to my inner voice. I ignore her as much as my Darling Daughter ignores me asking her to empty the dishwasher.

RECAP SINCE AUGUST: Found out at the last possible minute I would be returning to teaching (reading at the high school level); Hubby Dearest traveled to NYC A-FREAKING-LOT for his job, which was tough when he broke his ankle playing rec-league hockey in October; Darling Daughter started and finished her second season in youth hockey and is now ready to get her first job and attend driving school; Mama and Daddy bought a camper "for the grandkids" (wink wink); Dr. Meanie bragged on me for getting to the gym with "some" regularity and for not having bronchitis in the past 14 months; Took the family to LA in August and NYC in March; found out two weeks ago that I am not being laid off but am being re-assigned to another campus for next year (last one in, first one out). I am sure there is a ton more but I can hear "the Rif off" about to start.

So here's the skinny...the challenge that got me into blogging is going to bring me back to my favorite past time...writing! A to Z Blogging Challenge. Come join the fun. Sign up on the website (follow) the link from the picture above. Then blog and post each day in April. You skip the Sundays (or use them to play catch up). The only rule is that you blog according to the letter of the alphabet for that day...April 1 is A, April 2 is B, you get the rest I hope. I have a week to get my writing list in some sort of order. It's going to take planning to stay on target  this year. Can't wait to read what everyone is thinking!

Supply and Demand

Econ 101...if there is a high demand, there will be suppliers to meet that demand. Gun control mandates or not, if the people demand violence, then there will be someone to supply it. We need a culture change, not a change in constitution. People kill people so let's change our people. Where better to start than with our children.

We can all point a finger (or ten) at all the causes we want to blame. Blame games are easy. How about we teach our children to take responsibility for their own feelings and their own actions. We need to teach them to roll with the punches and to rebound from disappointments. We need to demand that violence not be our entertainment, our last resort, or, for that matter, our first resort. We need to demand that our families be healthy environments to nurture and grow our future generations.

Provide our children love, responsibility, education, and support for their dreams. When they ask "why?" find out the answer if you don't know, and answer their questions. Whatever you do, don't resort to "Because I said so." That doesn't honor them nor does it build their trust. Even if the answer isn't ribbons and bows and puppy dog tails, tell the truth and teach your children the difference between right and wrong and the shades of color in between. If we demand only the best of them, then they will supply us beyond our imaginations.

Being a Woman of my Word

My beautiful and giving sister Gayla was the best example a giver of time and money to charities. Also, when a friend needed, she gave all she could. When a job needed to be done for another, she signed up, tied on her apron and worked for the better of this world. It is still a heartbreak to keep moving forward now that Sister is gone. However, it is with her charitable heart that I am able to finally be a woman on my word.

When I first came to DFW, this small-town gal had had only had a handful of radio stations in which to listen in Texarkana. When I discovered Kidd Kraddick and his band of morning enthusiasts, I felt like I found friends to wake up with each morning. I have laughed with them and cried. They are the friends I have never met personally. When the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show became syndicated, it was a thrill to know that my hometown friends and family would get to experience these wonderful people's talent as well.



Me and Gayla in 2010



Over the years, Kidd's charity, Kidd's Kids has sent many a chronic or terminally ill child and his/her family to Disney World. Until now, I have only been able to give donations of about $20 each year to this worthy cause. However, in my heart and mind, I always promised myself that should I ever be able, I would give more. It is because of my sister's tragic death that I am able to keep my promise to myself.

Please join me today, Kidd's Kids Day (the only day of the year that the morning show campaigns for donations), and give what you can. Give for the children you are so blessed to have who are healthy. Give for the children in this world who aren't. Give for the people like Gayla who gave just because it is on their hearts to do so. Any size donation is fabulous! Give and then enjoy the rush of your heart instantly quadrupling in size.

http://www.kiddskids.com/donate/

Much Love,
Jaimee

Sept. 13--Positive Thinking Day

I have tried to always be a positive thinker. I used to be the first person to say, "There's a reason for this. You'll see." I thought that was a positive outlook, always seeking the silver lining. Then a nut-bag of an ex-BOYfriend told me that I was a fatalist because of this outlook. So which is it? Am I forever looking for the silver lining or just resigned to having no control? Whatever the outcome, I'll keep looking for the positive each day, especially today.

By the way...silver lining explanation. When dark or darker clouds block the sun, a bright outline appears around the cloud. I see this as even in the dark times, there is always a sun just waiting to brighten the day. Be blessed!

Sept. 12--Chocolate Milk-shake Day

PHOTO SOURCE

In honor of today being Chocolate Milkshake Day, I have a joke for you that only a select few will give a chuckle.

There are two penguins on an iceberg. 

The iceberg breaks apart sending one penguin one way and the other penguin in the opposite direction. 

The first penguin screams, "Bye, my love! I will miss you and love you forever!!!"

The second penguin yells back, "CHOCOLATE MILK!"

If you aren't laughing, I won't hold it against you. Just know that for those in my life that have a hard time saying, "I Love You," I always know what they mean when they say, "CHOCOLATE MILK!"

NOTE: Send all your prayers for my beloved Daddy who is having back surgery today. I am a nervous wreck and can't focus for squat!

Sept. 11--Hero Day, Patriot Day, Rememberance Day

I love being back in the school system teaching once again. I especially love that my school has deemed today Hero Day. Students and faculty were encouraged to dress up as their hero with the understanding that superheroes were not included in the activity. I won't dress up as my hero because I have too many to pick just one. 

First, myGayla was my life-long hero. From the time I was old enough to say GA-LA and toddle after my older sister imitating everything she did, she was my hero. I spent 36 years following in her footsteps and listening to her wise words whenever I would fall down and she would pick me back up. If I had to pick one lesson that she taught me over any other, it would be to love myself and see myself they way she did. Each day living without my sister is a lesson in getting back up when life knocks you down. Some days I bounce back pretty quickly. Most days, I just have to internally yell at myself to get up and get moving because Gayla expects it of me.

The next heroes on my list are Hubby Dearest and Darling Daughter. Bless their hearts. On those days where I am stuck at neither bouncing up nor moving forward, they are there with hugs, compassion, and loving words of encouragement. HD has held me while I scream in agony, held my hand when I had to be brave despite my fear and anxiety, and held my heart protectively close to his own. DD has reminded me to be kind to myself and told me in no uncertain terms that she is "happy you are part of our lives because you know Daddy and I would never make it anywhere on time without you."

MeMaw and PapaJames are next on this long list of heroes. They are my parents and, in my eyes, have always been the infallible, just, and compassionate hearts that have made me who I am today. They taught me how to love my fellow man and instilled in my heart a desire to "save the world." Because of their love for one another and their love for our family (both blood kin and those of our choosing), I am able to give my whole heart to those I love and fight the good fight for what I believe.

This blog post could go on and on with all the heroes with whom I have been blessed. Little Rascals, you've picked up the broken parts of me and helped in putting them back together. You've brought me uncontrollable laughter at some pretty inappropriate times. Your unconditional love and support have made all the difference in my life. 

Finally, to my former and current students, you give me a purpose each day. To my fans, you read my tra-la-la and my boo-hoo-hoo, and you still continue to follow this little bit of crazy each day. I thank you all and send you my most heartfelt hugs today. You are my heroes!

Sept. 10--TV Dinner Day

There really is a day for everything! Besides being Sewing Machine Day, today is TV Dinner Day! Swanson brought us the first frozen meal way back when it was served in a metal sectioned tin pan that was warmed in the oven. Now we nuke most TV Dinners in the microwave, with a few companies making some that are still cooked in the oven. For a full history, check out Wikipedia (don't judge...I was in a hurry).

I am not ashamed to tell the world, I feed my family frozen dinners! I would rather spend what little time we have together in the evening crafting with darling daughter, crocheting while we watch television TOGETHER, and being a family. Plus, we have a few standards like lasagna and enchiladas that everyone can agree upon, something that is sometimes difficult with picky eaters. I do have dreams of cooking big on weekends and freezing but that still hasn't come to be a reality even after my extensive research and hours of cooking show know-how.

What shortcuts do you take to give yourself more time with your kin and kindred?

Sept. 9--Teddy Bear Day

I don't remember having a teddy bear as a child. I do have a recollection of my Bubba having a Pooh Bear that was toted everywhere until the fateful day that Pooh took a dive out of an open car window and was run over by the back tires. You would think the little man would cry, demand Pooh have a bath in the washing machine, and then go on with his three-year-old life as if no harm had come to the little bear. My memory is that we had to have a funeral for the toy bear, prayers and all. I think we may have buried him too but that part is fuzzy. I'll have to ask Packer if there is an old, beat-up Pooh bear in the Nephews' (Thing1 and Thing2) inherited toy collection.

Nevertheless, today is Teddy Bear Day! In 1902, US President Teddy Roosevelt's refusal to shoot a bear that had been caught and tied to a tree by his shooting party, stating they had been less than sportsman-like in their pursuit, garnered some attention from the media. Morris Michtom of the Ideal Novelty and Toy Co. also paid homage to the President's act of humanity and created a toy bear cub. He called it Teddy's Bear. That's how we come to call our stuffed friends Teddy Bears. Who feels like they learned something? I DO! I DO!

Check out this amigurumi teddy I crocheted for Thing2! I have no pattern because I wasn't using one. I just kept crocheting in the round until I had the trunk of the bear. Then I made two arms and two legs. I stuffed the little guy with a corrugated yarn that I would never have used for anything because that stuff is ridiculously difficult to work with. It's not pretty, but I like it...so did Thing2.