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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Throwback Thursday: "Honey I Locked The Kids..."




Hey Y'all:

I was thinking of a good post that I could share for Throwback Thursday and this one made me laugh so here you go.
Enjoy
-------
Nov 13, 2009
Yesterday was quite an eventful one for the family.

My Husband locked his keys in the car, no problem we have AAA.
The twins were in the car.
Problem!
Here is the story as it was told to me, wayyyy after the fact.

My beloved and the twins were at the laundromat, the twins are super active at 19 months old so hubby decided to keep them in their car seats. At this point they were eating Burger King and watching a Nick Jr. DVD. The clothes were done washing so Daddie (that's what the twins call him) decided to run in and put the clothes in the dryer. He loaded the twins up with french fries, picked up the fabric softener sheets, put them in his pocket and put the clothes in the dryer. By the time he was done he realized it was time to pick Erick up from school. He runs back out to the car, reaches in his pocket for the keys to disarm the alarm and....

They weren't there
The keys weren't in his pocket
The keys were in Erick's car seat besides Leah who was strapped in her car seat eating french fries.
He paused
He didn't panic this time, like he did when he locked the keys in the car on our 13th anniversary while we were away in CT earlier this year. This time he didn't call 911 he called AAA. They told him to hang up and dial 911 since the kids were in the car!

The dispatcher sent auxiliary police and two female police officers. They checked to make sure the twins weren't in danger but had to wait for the crew to come and unlock the car doors. Once they determined the twins were physically fine (all the french fries were now gone, so they were crying their little heads off) and the hubby wasn't in trouble.


He then tells them he has another problem... he needs to pick Erick up from school! The auxilary police take him to the school, while the two police officers wait with the twins. Hubby picks Erick up in the auxilary police car, when they get back the crew who unlocks the door is there. Hubby takes Leah out of the car and one of the officers take Myles out of the car...

Erick taps his father and says "oooooh Daddy, Myles and Leah are going to jail" hubby says "no they aren't" and chuckles.


The twins are fit to be tired.... The police officers tell hubby that he's ok and to just be careful. The clothes are dry and the twins are now running around the laundromat!


Fun times for the Browns! What a Journey! This bought to mind the one and only episode of Modern Family I've seen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wezT5rTaCmQ


I'm thinking we need OnStar! Do they make that for Camry's


Would love to hear a story from you.


Until next time...

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Whatever Wednesday: The Metropolitan Transit Authority

Hey Y'all:


Today I will introduce something new... I am calling it Whatever Wednesday. This will be the day that I post whatever is on my mind. It could be about my family, my journey or anything in between. I hope you enjoy today's post all about the MTA!!!

-----

I had a ROUGH commute this morning. Something about a rail being broken and an investigation at West 4th street. I took the NJ Transit and then two city buses it was an adventure.

Over the past year or so I've been privileged to commute into NYC on the NJ Transit light rail system, which is very similar to the LIRR or MetroNorth. It's expensive and sometime there are delays and issues but earlier this week I was reminded why I think riding the NJ Transit is a privilege.

I had to take the E train from 34th street and it was PAINFUL. Although most of the individuals at that stop going uptown are typically coming from the 'comfort' of commuter trains to the subway you would think they would be a bit more civilized but that couldn't be further from the truth. Folks are plain ole RUDE! I blame it on the MTA system though. It's easy to get so fed up that you don't even care how you treat people bumping into them, stepping on toes, causing fights and the like. When you can't even get past the turnstile to get on the platform there is a fundamental problem with the system, YET they want more money. The MTA is on my list of not so nice services in NYC.

10. Trains and buses are filthy! Between the bottles and food that's left on the train, and the newspapers and trash left on the bus I'm fed up. What pray tell are the darn folks with orange vests doing all day? I have yet to see someone clean a bus when it reaches the depot! Nasty

9. The rodents! Why I ask? Why are there so many rats on the tracks? I know it has a lot to do with point number 10 but really? What's up with poison or rat traps or something? Now we are being visited by sky rats (pigeons) they are now entering the station and sometimes even the train.

8. Communication - OK so I see the big yellow and orange posters that are around the stations and on the trains and even on the buses when there are services changes or notices but they are never clear! Then you have the dang on intercoms on the train platform they SUCK. When I'm on the F train I can't hear a thing! And why, why I ask don't all of the conductors on EVERY train announce the station? I mean we all don't know what stop is next! The lady sitting next to me from Idaho trying to get to the tree lighting shouldn't have to ask every person on the A train if she's going in the right direction.




7. How can they increase my fare but not my space. So we have these new buses that really SUCK! There is major space in the front of the bus but there is a huge hump of some sort covering the tire so there isn't space for seats. Then you have a few seats but no hand rails it's so annoying!


6. Customer Service is usually pretty HORRIBLE! I take the same bus every morning to get to my train then I have to transfer to another train. Yes I take a bus and two trains to work every single day! Any who I get on the same bus see the same bus driver and she NEVER speaks when greeted. I get you might not love your job but if you are working with the public the least you can do is say hi back or you're welcome when someone says thank you. Ugh... so annoying. Not to mention the fact that escalators and elevators at most stations are either broken down or under repair half the darn time. Then when the weather is inclement (as they say) why can't they put more trains out or more buses on the roads. Just because there is snow on the ground doesn't mean folks don't have to get to work or kids to school!

5. Panhandlers so I hear the announcement that it's against the law to give money to the homeless on the train. But here is what I'm trying to figure out... how exactly do these people manage to remain in the transit system for so long? Most of these people look like they never leave. We often see the same people asking for money on the same lines EVERY day. What's really being done about this besides telling riders not to give them money?

4. Sick Passenger - Ok people if you are sick DON'T GET ON THE TRAIN. However if someone does become ill on a train why? why I ask does the entire grid get jacked up? I've been on trains when they take the train out of service because there is a sick passenger. How does that help the sick person? Why can't the station manager come get the sick person and wait with them until EMS comes to the rescue? Why must I be late to my dentist appointment because someone got sick? I don't get it. Am I missing something here?


3. Metro card machine. Is there an ulterior motive for the metro card machine being down on Monday morning? I mean you want us to use the machine, force us really to use the machine when to took away the token clerk from most stations. So again I have a question Why my dear MTA do you make it so difficult for us to make it to our destination  on Monday morning? The the machine won't take cash or only takes cash and not credit or doesn't give you an unlimited just a single ride. I don't get it... there must be an ulterior motive for this behavior!




2. Fare hikes. I remember when the train and bus cost .75. We are now paying $2.25 and the service is the SAME. Where is my money going? The MTA has the ability to cripple this city and they know it. If we don't have train and bus service many jobs will go undone but the question remains why tax the people that are keeping this city that never sleeps awake? I don't know if I can handle another fare increase. Not sure when they'll ask for the next one but if they do I'll be sure to protest!



My next rant will happen next Wednesday wonder what I'll talk about.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

MrsDeveter's January Crochet Projects



Hey Y'all,

Many of you have already liked my Facebook page but I felt the need to put something on my blog showcasing my latest crochet projects.
Red Mo Monster
Sponge the Bob

Baseball Booties
Personalized Ballerina Flats
Hello Kitty
What do you think? Coming soon will be Thomas the Tank Engine, Blue and a Green Frog. Be sure to Like my page on Facebook.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Teaching Children About Fire Safety

Hey Folks,

It's more than STOP, DROP and ROLL.

After reading about the club fire in Brazil I was inspired to write a piece about fire safety and how to teach children. I remember when I was a child every year we would have an assembly about fire safety  The neighborhood firemen would come into the school building and instruct us on how to be safe during a fire emergency. As an adult working in a high rise building we have fire safety checks at least every two to three months. It's important!

According to the USFA (United States Fire Administration) - Each year more than 3,500 Americans die in fires and approximately 18,300 are injured. One of the major leading causes of residential building fire deaths and injuries for children under age 10 is "playing with a heat source" which includes lighters and matches. Children under age 10 account for 93 percent of deaths and 38 percent of injuries where the cause of the residential building fire was due to "playing with a heat source".

Here are the tips that the USFA provides for teaching children fire safety.


Curious Kids Set Fires

Children under five are curious about fire. Often what begins as a natural exploration of the unknown can lead to tragedy.


  • Children age 14 and under make up 10-15% of all fire deaths.
  • Fifty-two percent of all child fire deaths occur to those under age 5. These children are usually unable to escape from a fire independently.
  • At home, children usually play with fire in bedrooms, in closets and under beds. These are "secret" places where there are a lot of things that catch fire easily.
  • Too often, child fire setters are not given proper guidance and supervision by parents and teachers. Consequently, they repeat their fire setting behavior.
  • Practice Fire Safety in Your Home

Recommended Fire Safety Sites:
Keep Kids Fire Safe
Pre-Is-Cool.com 

Supervise young children closely. Do not leave them alone even for short periods of time.

  • Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet.
  • Have your children tell you when they find matches and lighters.
  • Check under beds and in closets for burned matches, evidence your child may be playing with fire.
  • Develop a home fire escape plan, practice it with your children and designate a meeting place outside.
  • Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
  • Teach children the nature of fire. It is FAST, HOT, DARK and DEADLY!
  • Teach children not to hide from firefighters, but to get out quickly and call for help from another location.
  • Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house and stay out in the case of fire.
  • Demonstrate how to stop, drop to the ground and roll if their clothes catch fire.
  • Install smoke alarms on every level in your home.
  • Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm.
  • Test the smoke alarm each month and replace the battery at least once a year.
  • Replace the smoke alarm every ten years, or as recommended by the manufacturer.


Lastly please make sure you have working smoke alarms throughout your home or apartment.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Big Name, Big Talent: Quvenzhané Wallis

Hey Folks,

I watch movies but not really to many independents and often have no idea what the Oscar titles are that are nominated. Today however I watched a video of a little girl from the Louisiana Bayou with a huge and amazing talent.

Quvenzhané Wallis, the young star of the Oscar nominated film, Beasts of the Southern Wild is truly inspirational. I stumbled up this video from Ann Curry that discribes her as a triple threat. After watching this I went on a search for more information on Quvenzhané.

Check out this video and spread the word about Beasts of the Southern Wild and Ms Wallis.



Until next time...
MUAH!

Monday, January 21, 2013

L.O.V.E. Is More Than a Four Letter Word

Hey Y'all,

Today has been such an amazing day. I watched the Second Inauguration of the first African American President of the United States of America on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the head of my household put our 8 year old in place.

Love in my family is more than a four letter word it stands for Living Overjoyed and Victorious Everyday... when I hear my husband speak to our children in love and in reprimand, I'm reminded of how very blessed I am to have a present father in the house with my children. Many fathers live with their children but aren't 'present' they are there physically but not emotionally. I'm so glad that I can say my husband is very present in our children's lives. He play fights with them one moment and the next he's teaching Erick and Myles what it means to be a man in the way he cares for my daughter and I. My husband is a REAL father. I do compare him to Dr. King and President Obama. He is the head of our family and he makes it clear to our children that they aren't in charge of any decision making but that we are. My husband wants to best for our children just like Dr. King did for his and my husband is teaching our family to embrace our challenges and make a change,  just like President Obama is for America.

Erick is 8 and VERY head strong. He can be argumentative and always want to have the last say (wonder where he gets that from). His father doesn't play the talking back, smart mouth etc. He's no joke... he doesn't yell but you can tell in the way that he speaks (especially when he uses their full name) that he's no longer playing but he's very serious. I didn't grow up with my dad in the house so seeing this side of my husband makes me  proud that I'm giving my children something I never had. A present father. I know that my boys are going to grow up knowing how to follow the rules and take heed to authority because they are experiencing it at home.

I L.O.V.E. my family and thank God he loaned these four people to me for a time.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Happy Birthday Dr. King: I Too Have a Dream!




Hey Y'all,


Today marks the 84th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Although we are not where he dreamed we would be as a country I believe we have grown by leaps and bounds. We have so much further to go in regard to racial equality, job equality and so many more areas of equality that shouldn't even be an ask anymore. Below I am sharing the full text of his famous speech given on August 28, 1963 "I Have A Dream" was a call for the end to racism in the US. The speech was delivered to over 200K civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.


I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Thursday, January 10, 2013

My Work/Life Balance List {Revisited}

Hey Folks,

When I got home last night two of my kiddies were asleep. Which means I didn't see them at all yesterday because when I left home they were asleep. One was still awake and was so happy to hug me (and he's not the most affectionate of the bunch). When my daughter heard my voice this morning she was elated! She must have kissed me about 7 times and of course my heart melted.

I miss my babies during the week and have to remember to keep a serious balance between work and home. My family is the most important element of my life and I know that if I keep them top of mind I will make sure I spend as much time with them as I humanly can.

I had to go back and check out a post a wrote a couple years ago to affirm my desire to have a good work/life balance. It's hard for working mom's but we gotta make it happen our families NEED us.


So here is MrsDeveter's list on making this journey worth living.

1. Know when to say NO! This goes for work and home... you have to know when enough is too much! You have to be able to tell your boss "no I can't stay late today but I can come in a little earlier tomorrow to finish this project ." No at home can happen when family members are asking you to do things that you just don't want or have time to do. Saying no is big on my list and I think I've pretty much mastered it.

2. Realize your role. My friend and I always use the line "stay in your lane." Sometimes it's difficult at home and work to only do the things that you are responsible for. At home if your job is to take out the trash ... take out the trash. Don't sweep the floor, do the dishes and forget to take out the trash. You have to complete the work that is assigned to your hands. If you stay in your lane you won't be exhausted at the end of the day. This goes for home and work. If your job is to make copies and hand them out... do just that... don't read the copy and point out all the errors to the person who asked you to make the copies. That is their job.... STAY IN YOUR LANE!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

McRib: McDonald's Silly Food Strikes Again!

mcrib.jpg




As you'll remember from a couple years ago I wrote a post about McDonald's Silly Nuggets. Well they are at it again. Over the holiday the commercial for the McRib was on constantly. I found a commercial form 1981 that I figured I'd share.



This thing looks GROSS and FAKE the commercial from 2012 also include an Black guy (not sure what's up with that) and the sandwich looks exactly the same!
Although I'm not a Fox News supporter I saw an article and knew I had to write about it.
Dec. 17 marked the return of the McRib to McDonald’s menus, and the Cook editors at The Daily Meal have a few bones to pick (literally) about this raved-about sandwich. While we’ve always been annoyed with the disappearing act (the sandwich is said to garner most of its popularity because of the fact that it’s only available at the Golden Arches for a limited time each year), we’re tired of everyone making a big fuss of something that’s — brace yourself! — a lie.
Before everyone goes into hysterics, let us explain ourselves. The sandwich, which is a pork meat patty served with barbecue sauce and topped with onions and pickles, calls itself something it’s not. Packing in a whopping 500 calories with 26 grams of fat and 980 milligrams of sodium, the "rib" sandwich isn’t actually ribs at all. Made up of pork tripe, heart, and scalded stomach, the piece of meat served on the sandwich is processed down with water and sugar and then formed into the shape of ribs to give it a special appeal, when it’s not actually ribs at all.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/01/02/pimp-my-mcrib/#ixzz2GqQvjIWZ 

Have you tried the McRib??? What did you think? After reading this will you eat it again?

Until next time...
MUAH!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year!

Hey Y'all,

I don't know about you but 2012 was a rather difficult year for my family. Through it all however, God has been good. There were days that financially we didn't know how we were going to get through, even through that God made a way. I am confident that 2013 is going to be a year of renewal and payback. I'm excited about my future and yours.

I pray that you take on this new year as a new start and embrace your clean slate. Don't treat 2013 as a continuation if 2012 treat it as a new start.

Happy New Year and God's peace and blessings on your life and the life of your family.

Until next time...
MUAH!