Proposed Law Declares Single Parenthood Child Abuse

2 Mar

Wisconsin Senator, Glann Grothman introduced Senate Bill 507, which would formally consider single parenthood a contributing factor to child abuse, if passed into law.

SB507 would require the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board to emphasize that non-marital parenthood is a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect.

Since I’m a single parent of 2, I guess that would be 2 counts against me???

WTH were the people of Wisconsin thinking electing this dude? Brain freeze perhaps?

Once Brett Favre left the Green Bay Packers, I’m gonna assume everything in that state went downhill from there.

I seriously feel the need to consult a calendar and make sure we are in the year 2012.

How in the world does he get the correlation of non-marital parenthood being a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect?

He would have been better off saying parents who feed their kids McDonald’s chicken nuggets are a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect. At least he could have had some sort of scientific evidence for that claim.

I just don’t get it. I know, maybe because I am a single parent (via divorce) my brain just doesn’t function as well a married parent….

What about widows who have lost a spouse from military duty or single parents that got out of an unhealthy abusive marriage?

There are tons of successful fully functioning individuals that were raised in single parent homes:

Lance Armstrong, Al Pacino, Orlando Bloom, Mariah Carey, Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Stephen Colbert, Michael Phelps, Julia Roberts, Bill Cosby, Maya Angelou, Bill Clinton

Hmm…oh yes, and our current President of the United States, Barack Obama.also comes from a single parent home.

The fact that Glenn Grothman came from a 2 parent marital home is proof that it doesn’t guarentee anything.

Go sit down somewhere dude, you could possibly learn a thing or 2 about resilience, strength, love, and determination from a single parent.

Why I Love To FART

1 Mar

Cutting Cheese takes on a very different meaning in my family.

Ever since I was a little girl, I remember hearing, “A LADY doesn’t fart“.

That seriously had me questioning if I really wanted to be a “lady”.

As a child, farting was fun.

I might not have been the Spelling Bee Champ or Valedictorian, but everyone knew when it came to farts, I wore the crown!

I took my skill seriously and couldn’t wait to hover with the boys at P.E and let er rip!

Eventually, I took my farting skills beyond the schoolyard.

I farted in the grocery store, the car, the movies…once I even farted at a Buddhist Temple (much to my mother’s dismay).

I know some of you have your nose turned up already, but don’t fret. I was never rude about it. I always farted with a smile followed by a sweetly apologetic “excuse me”.

As I got older, my farting prowess grew increasingly powerful.

I’d attribute this farting feat to my enhanced knowledge of farty foods: broccoli, beans, cheese, White Castle burgers…

Yup, by high school, I was filled with flatulence.

Eventually, I cooled my farting habits in public and reserved my air attacks  for special occasions or for around an  elite group of fellow farting fanatics.

After I had kids, I realized what a joy it was to pass my bottom burping talent on to my offspring.

Some parents coo over their child’s first words, but me….I remember my proud mommy moment when Mo and B ripped their 1st one in public. *Tear

Yes, we are a farting family. Nothing says love more than a family who breaks wind together.

It’s our bond.

No matter the mood, whenever someone plays the butt trumpet, we are all sure to smile, if not join in.

Red Lobster’s Garlic Cheese Biscuits

24 Feb

Growing up, one of the outings I looked forward to most was getting good grades then celebrating at one of my fave restaurants.

Usually it was a Chinese spot, but sometimes I craved those yummy Biscuits from Red Lobster. (Oh, the joys of living in Suburbia)

To this day, I still get a hunger for those yummy buttery bites of goodness.

I was super excited when i stumbled upon this recipe from Gimme Some Oven for the Red Lobster biscuits.

They are super easy and turned out great.

Todd Wilbur, author of “Top Secret Restaurant Recipes” has a recipe too. His calls for butter in the biscuit mix, which I will def try next. You can get his recipe from his GMA apperance HERE.

If you get the craving, here’s the ones I just made from Gimme Some Oven:

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits
(Adapted from Joyful Abode)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups buttermilk biscuit mix (such as Bisquick or Jiffy)
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic salt

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Prepare a baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix together biscuit mix, cheese and garlic powder.  Add in milk, and stir until well mixed.  (Heads up – the dough will get very sticky!)

With a spoon or with your fingers, shape the dough into biscuit-sized clumps, and drop onto the baking sheet.  (Note that the dough will pretty much hold its shape when baked, so feel free to pat down random peaks in the dough if you’d like them to look more uniform!)

Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until biscuits begin to brown slightly around the edges.

While the biscuits bake, prepare the warm butter mixture by mixing together the melted butter, oregano and garlic salt in a small bowl.  As soon as the biscuits are removed from the oven, brush the biscuits (while they are still on the baking sheet) with the mixture until they are well-coated.

Serve warm.

(*This recipe usually makes about 15 biscuits for me.*)

**I doubled the melted butter for the topping just bc I’m a butter freak.

**Next time I’d add the butter to the mixture, just out of curiosity and I’d cut down the oregano.

Food Truck Ban Near California Schools

22 Feb

Food trucks are all the rave in Los Angeles.

I will admit, I am a HUUUGE Food Truck groupie.

I’m a regular at The Grilled Cheese Truck, Lobsta Truck, and Ragin Cajun.

They know me, I stalk follow them on Twitter…yes, I have a problem.

My boys and I love it! Great food, convenience, and reasonable prices.

There are a zillion food trucks in LA to satisfy the hunger for even the pickiest eater: Korean BBQ, Vegetarian, Gourmet Burgers, Shaved Ice, Nom Nom, Dim Sum, Salads, Tacos, Crepes…you name it!

In addition to providing great food options, Food Trucks are also becoming staples at birthday parties and events around LA.

Many local schools bank on the popularity of the trucks and their huge following by organizing them for school fundraisers.

Popular trucks assemble on school grounds, and a portion of the proceeds earned are donated to the school.

I have gone to quite a few of these (just doing my part to help support education!). They are so much fun and kids and parents really enjoy it.

However, this could come to an end soon.

Carmel Assemblyman Bill Monning introduced a bill prohibiting food trucks from selling food within 1,500 feet of an elementary or secondary school between the hours of 6am and 6pm.

The bill is intended to be part of the state’s effort to create a healthier eating environment for school children.

I understand the need for healthier food in schools, especially with a child obesity rate that has tripled in the past 3 decades.

I’d be more inclined to find something healthy and yummy on a food truck than in a school cafeteria.

Are food trucks really the problem???

What about the liquor stores, fast food restaurants, and convenience stores within walking distance of schools? Where are the laws for those???

And I find it odd that by California law, a marijuana dispensary needs to be at least 600 feet from a school, but a food truck needs a distance of 1,500 feet.

Are we saying Mary Jane is better for a child’s health than something a food truck has to offer???

IJS.

Doesn’t make sense to me.

Get it together lawmakers. FOOD TRUCKS ROCK!

Michelle Obama Does the Dougie and Running Man

19 Feb

Discovering your passion, purpose, and meaning in life is such a great reward.

I knew early on that my passion is children.

I am an advocate for kids, their well being and happiness.

I think that’s why I really love First Lady (and Hot Mama of 2 girls) Michelle Obama.

Sure she’s intelligent, funny, beautiful, and has great fashion sense. But, she’s also very passionate about the youth.

In February 2010, she helped launch Let’s Move, a campaign to help raise a healthier generation of kids.

In the past 30 years, the childhood obesity rate has tripled. This is mainly because of lifestyle, eating habits, and lack of physical activity.

“The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake.”

-First Lady Michelle Obama

Children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day to grow up to a healthy weight.

Ms. Obama is taking her Let’s Move campaign throughout the country. She’s advocating for healthier eating choices in schools, educating the kids about a healthy lifestyle, and encouraging them to get up and MOVE!!!

She’s not just just a spokesperson. The First Lady is on her feet with the kids and moving too.

Ms. Obama is reminding kids to be physically active by doing things that get you up and on your feet: gardening, jumping rope, yoga, jumping jacks, and dancing.

And boy, can Chelle cut a rug! You can see her at Alice Dean Middle School in Washington DC rocking out to Beyonce with the kids.

Gotta love a First Lady who does a mean Dougie and Running Man. I can see her and the POTUS doing the Electric Slide all over the Oval Office.

Great job Ms. Obama. Thanks for inspiring this generation to combat obesity!

14 Year Old To Graduate From UCLA

15 Feb

I love underdog success stories.

Move over Jeremy Lin…here comes Moshe.

Moshe Kai Cavalin doesn’t like being called a genius.

At the age of 8 he enrolled in college.

He earned his first of two Associate of Arts degrees from East Los Angeles Community College at age 9, graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Hmm….to put this into perspective, Mo will be 8 in a few months. His favorite subject is P.E. He giggles when someone says, “Penis, Butt, or Fart“.

I’m 37. My favorite subject is twitter. I giggle when someone says, “Penis, Butt, or Fart“.

Being in college at age 8, Umm…yeah, I’d say Moshe has some genius tendencies.

He says it’s just hard work.

He says, ”People need to know you don’t really need to be a genius. You just have to work hard and you can accomplish anything.”

In his 100 page book, “We Can Do” he talks about how young people can accomplish success through simple acts like staying focused and approaching tasks with total commitment.

The book is available in Mandarin and English.

Moshe is now 14 years old. He is set to graduate from UCLA this year with a Bachelor’s Degree in Math.

He lives in on campus housing with his parents and is on scholarship at UCLA.

He hopes to go on to graduate school and later earn his Doctorate.

Moshe knows how to have fun too. He enjoys soccer, martial arts, and Jackie Chan. He says he watches 4 hours of tv a week and focuses on studying.

Hats off to this young fella.

Doogie Howser anyone?

Life Lessons From Jeremy Lin

13 Feb

Motherhood is all encompassing.

You have to balance kids, work, school, personal life, etc.

In trying to be a good mom as well as a good person, I occasionally need reminders.

Here are some great pointers to pass on to my kids, but also apply in my life. And of course, I’m so happy it’s sports related. LOL

A new sports star is emerging. His name is Jeremy Lin.

Lin was an undrafted point guard from Harvard University. Now, as the New York Knicks starting guard, he’s taking the NBA by storm.

His story is inspiring many.

Who knows his future in the NBA, but here’s some life lessons Forbes Magazine suggests you can learn from him.

Great thoughts to pass along to your kids and yourself from his journey:

1. Believe in yourself when no one else does.Lin’s only the 3rd graduate from Harvard to make it to the NBA.  He’s also one of only a handful of Asian-Americans to make it. He was sent by the Knicks to play for their D-League team 3 weeks ago in Erie, PA.  He’d already been cut by two other NBA teams before joining the Knicks this year.  You’ve got to believe in yourself, even when no one else does.

2. Seize the opportunity when it comes up. Lin got to start for the Knicks because they had to start him.  They had too many injuries.  Baron Davis was gone.  The other point guards were out.  Carmelo Anthony was injured.  Amare Stoudemire had to leave the team because of a family death.  Lin could have squandered the opportunity and we would have never have noticed.  But he made the most of it.  You never know when opportunities are going to arise in life.  Often, they’re when you least expect them.  Make the most of them. Don’t fritter them away.

3. Your family will always be there for you, so be there for them. It wasn’t until a few days ago that Lin got his contract guaranteed by the Knicks for the rest of the season.  Before that, he could have been cut at any time.  He had to sleep on his brother’s couch on the Lower East Side to get by.  His family always believed in him and picked him up when he could have gotten down on himself.  That made him continue to believe.  If you want your family to believe in you like that, you’ve got to be there for them too when they need it.

4. Find the system that works for your style.Lin isn’t Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant.  He’s not a pure scorer.  He’s a passer and distributor – who can also score very well.  It didn’t work for him in Golden State or Houston – where he was before landing at the Knicks.  But Mike D’Antoni’s system at the Knicks has been perfect for him to show off his strengths.  You’ve got to do your best to understand what your strengths are and then ensure that you’re in a system (a job or organization or industry) that is a good fit for those strengths.  Otherwise, people overlook the talents you bring to the table.

5. Don’t overlook talent that might exist around you today on your team. You probably manage people at your own company today.  Are you sure you don’t have a Jeremy Lin living among you now?  How do you know that “Mike” couldn’t do amazing things if you gave him a new project to run with?  How do you know “Sarah” isn’t the right person to take the open job in London that you’ve been talking over with your colleagues?  We put people around us in boxes.  He’s from Harvard.  He’s Asian-American.  Not sure he can play.  How many assumptions have you made about talent around you?  Don’t be like the General Managers in Golden State and Houston, and let talent slip through your fingers.  With all their money, scouts, and testing, they didn’t have a clue what they had in their hands.  Do you know what your people (or even yourself) is really capable of?  Take off the blinders of assumptions you wear when you look at the world.

6. People will love you for being an original, not trying to be someone else. You’ve got to be you.  You can’t be some 2nd rate copy of Michael Jordan.  There will never be another Michael Jordan.  Just be Jeremy Lin — yourself.  Whatever that is.  That doesn’t mean you don’t work hard — it just means you find what you’re good at and do it.  Fans will love you for being you, just like they love Jeremy Lin.  Judy Garland said it best:

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”

7. Stay humble. If you one day are lucky enough to have newspapers want to put you on the cover in order to sell more, don’t let it get to your head.  It’s been remarkable watching how humble Lin remains through all this media frenzy.  It makes his teammates and fans love him that much more.

8. When you make others around you look good, they will love you forever. I didn’t know how good Tyson Chandler was, until I saw him playing with Jeremy Lin.  Lin has set Chandler up many times over the last week for easy dunks because he drew the defense and then passed the ball.  That’s partly why the Knicks are playing so well.  They are all working harder to share the ball with others.  And it’s beautiful to watch.  And when the media swarms Lin, he tells them how good his teammates are.  Do the same with your peers and reports.

9. Never forget about the importance of luck or fate in life. Some people believe in God, some in destiny, some in luck.  Whatever you believe in, be grateful for it.

10. Work your butt off. Lin couldn’t have seized his opportunity if he hadn’t worked like crazy for years perfecting his skills.  There are no short cuts to hard work.  Success is a by product of that.  If you’ve got a Tiger Mom who’s always pushed you to work hard, great.  If not, let your conscience be your own Tiger Mom!  Get up early, stay up late.  Nobody gave Lin any free passes. Why should you get any?  You can only control what you control and that means you’ve got to work harder than anyone else you know.

First Pictures of Blue Ivy

10 Feb

Wow.

Parenthood sure is bringing new parents Beyonce and Jay-Z out of their normally secluded lifestyle.

First they announce their pregnancy on the MTV Awards, then Beyonce steps out 1 month post baby.

Now, Jay-Z has released pics of baby Blue Ivy on his website. Glory|Life + Times.

Next thing you know, we’re gonna all be invited to Blue’s 1st bday party. Umm…ok, prolly not.

But, she is such a cutie with a head full of hair.

Even though Baby Blue is a mere month old, I can see the resemblance of both parents (hopefully she has mom’s dance moves).

Also released was a nice passive aggressive note basically telling us to enjoy the baby pics, now Phuck off. LOL.

I can’t blame them. The time with baby is so precious and special. It really does fly by.

They both seem so happy. I hope they are enjoying parenthood and their beautiful bundle of joy.

Dad Shoots Up Daughter’s Laptop Over Facebook

10 Feb

Tommy Jordan discovered his daughter’s rant on Facebook.

She had blocked her parents from her account and did a post complaining about her chores and expectations from her parents.

Her father discovered it and did a video reply followed by shooting up her laptop with his .45.

I can see where her daughter gets her attifude.

I totally agree with the principle of kids needing to value the dollar, being thankful for what you have, doing household chores, and appreciating family.

Amen to that.

But as I listen to him talk, I can’t help but giggle because by hearing her letter, she sounds like a carbon copy of him.

Moral of the story:

Kids- Don’t talk too much shit about your parents. They love you and want the best for you. You will appreciate them when you have kids of your own. (And we will find a way to stalk you on social media! lol)

Parents- Your kids block you from social media for a reason. LOL. They’re teenagers. Set the tone for your kids and values early. They emulate what they see.

You can join Tommy’s Facebook page HERE.

P.S- I can totally see myself doing this as a teenager and a parent. Phew. So glad I have boys!

7 Year Old Girl Escapes Walmart Kidnap Attempt

9 Feb

Mo and I watch prison shows together.

We talk about child molesters, kidnappers, and criminals.

Some people think I shouldn’t do that.

“Bad guys” are real. He needs to know this.

Unfortunately, everyone in the world does not have a kind heart or good intentions.

Recently, Seven-year-old Brittany Baxter was grabbed by a scumbag asshole man at a Walmart in Bremen, Georgia.

She said while looking at Princess and Fairy stuff, a man tried to kidnap her.

Walmart video shows he picked her up and tried to put his hand over her mouth, but she was kicking and screaming. He then dropped her and ran out.

This is some BULLSHIT!

Criminals are bold. In a huge public store, he tried to kidnap this 7 year old child.  SMH.

This brave little girl might have saved her own life.

25 year old Thomas A Woods, was on parole for voluntary manslaughter,he  now faces a charge of attempted kidnapping.

Throw his ass under the jail.

So proud of little Brittney.

Parents, teach your kids about strangers and that if someone violates your child it is ok to spaz out, kick, scream, throw things….anything they need to do to get away.

Our society is too polite. I tell Mo and B to not be afraid to offend or hurt a person’s feelings if they make them uncomfortable or violate them.

Please share this video with your kids and continue to teach them that no one has a right to hurt them.

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