Happy Halloween!!

This is my most favorite time of year!! Enjoy these jokes as they are pretty funny!









The future of our children...

I live about .5 miles away from Em's school. I drive her to school daily while risking being late to work. I have to drive in excess of speeds so I don't get fired. But I have to do what I have to do. I had asked the question if she could be bussed as she would have to cross two (2) highways to get there. The speed limits are in excess of 45MPH. I would have thought it would be a no brainer to make her an exception of the 2 mile radius rule since the highways have become a factor in her safety.

After speaking with the Superintendent (Super) of the school district, he denied her bussing. Saying we simply lived too close. I tried approaching her Principal and she sent a letter of recommendation along with my letter to her and both the Super and the Transportation guy denied her again. I am furious that there would be NO consideration for my child. The Super's resolution was to send her to his public elementary school. I said no. I pay taxes and pay for her private education. I said that the Super should be ashamed. If he cannot take into consideration our children why is he in that position? How can this man sleep with himself knowing he denied a child a safe means to get to school? I told them if I let her walk, just once, she'd never come home. I cried while saying it. It was hard for me to accept the ramifications of what they are suggesting to me. The Transportation director leveled with me for a moment and agreed he would not let his own children walk to school. I said did you tell the Super about that? Well kinda. WTF?

The high school children are left to find their own means to get to school. There is no bussing available to them either. Which is crap. I am sure the majority of these children are the ones in charge of finding an older student to befriend for a ride to school. I would imagine kids pack into their vehicles and they joyride to school. What would happen if a fatal accident occurred? It's simply bullshit that this system would deny our children, our future.

In light of all of this I have begun to make contact with local media to shed some light on the subject. With elections coming up, this could play a factor. I may have some extra pull, I hope. Normally I am a private person, but it is for my daughter, my family, and other children along with their families. I have to speak up, maybe more voices will be heard.

Wish me luck!


Losing it...

Em just lost her first tooth today!

I wonder how much teeth are going for these days being the Tooth Fairy and all...

Any advice?

Yazeed Essa -- Captured

I am pleased to announce one of America's Most Wanted, Yazeed Essa, was captured yesterday in Cypress. Essa is known globally for the alleged killing of his wife Rosie. Essa has been on the run from authorities for 18 long months. I had a feeling things were getting close to an end. I just knew that Essa would screw up and make a "simple" mistake and be caught red-handed. Essa got sloppy, and when he got sloppy is when authorities where hot on his trail.

His game of hide and seek lasted too long. Rosie's family deserve the closure the court system will provide her family. Finally, her family can move on. They can morn their daughter, mother, sister and know that Essa will be behind bars for many years to come. While I have never met Essa, I hope that they throw the book at him.

Yazeed, your options to end your marriage were abundant. Divorce. Separation. Counseling. You chose the extreme. And now you don't have anything to show for it other than a one way ticket back to Cleveland and handcuff. May you suffer dearly for your mistakes.

To Rosie and her family, may you seek solace in a chapter now closed and a new one to begin. A new future, a new outlook. Rosie, may you rest in peace. May you watch over your loved ones from above and those who care about you. You deserved so much more. May God bless you and your family.




My other thoughts regarding this story:

An inspiration... A mission... Yazeed "Yaz" Essa

Where in the World is Yazeed?

Update on Yazeed Essa - America's Most Wanted


Leave the blinds open...

The other night we had a storm in Northern Ohio. I had sent Em to bed and while walking past her room I saw lightening come in. As a little girl I have always loved thunderstorms. I love the sound of thunder and watching the lightening paint the sky. Em was still awake so I crawled in bed with her and we were talking.

I began talking to her about storms and asked her if she was afraid. She responded negatively and said no. I have told her that sound of thunder are angels "bowling" upstairs. That is what I was told growing up and it always gave me a sense of calm.

I began to tell Em the story about my father. Back home when my father was alive we would always sit on our front porch together eating rice crispies or watermelon together. The storms would "roll" in and we would have a bird's-eye-view of the magic that would take place. My father and I would always talk, but I have no recollection about what. It is one of the fondest memories of him that I have. It will be forever with me for as long as I live. I knew whenever I had children I would pass along our tradition. And I have kept to my very own promise.

Em then asked me about a picture hanging on her wall facing her bed. It is a picture of a little girl portrayed as an angel playing with animals. She said the people that are bowling are like her. Em proceeded to ask me about the picture hanging in my family room with a picture of my father. She asked me what my father's name was. I said he went by the name of Chuck or Junior. She chuckled. I then told her that she should call him Grandpa. Em told me that my dad was up there. I began to cry. All of the little things I have eluded to her, she has listened.

Em told me she doesn't have an angel(s) watching over her. I told Em that even though Grandpa is in heaven he always watches over her. She has several angels, we all do.

I told Em it was time for me to leave so she could go to bed. I asked her if she wanted her blinds open or closed. She asked that I close them. I woke her up the next day for school and her blinds were noticeabley open. I never said anything to her about it but that night she told me she wants to keep her blinds open. She wants to keep them open so the angels can come in. At that moment I broke down in tears. It was the most insightful thought that has ever been spoken from her.