I had a viewer send me an email and asked that I not use her name, but get the word out. So here is her story.

“Mary” has often wondered if her past will ever stop haunting her, she has been through many things and trying everyday to wake up and smile at the world, and in one moment she realized she has always had it.

As a child she went through much abuse, from seeing it, to receiving it, and even worse hiding it. She cried as a little girl wondering why God would allow such hatred and so much fear in her life. She was told to pray and to believe that God is always with her no matter what, so she did.

The abuse was still there, as she grew up it just changed from a far worse kind. Now you would wonder why she never told, why she never told her mother that so many people touched her and made her cry. Why she would run and hide, Why would she never want to come home, it was fear.

As promised God gave her strength everyday, she met a man when she was older and thought that this must be love because he said he loved her, but it was only yet another road for her, the road that went from a child being scared to an adult being horrified.

People would say, why doesn’t she leave? She started to lose her faith, she began to believe she was nothing, and she never would be anything, it was her fault she was born, unloved, unwanted, and heartbroken.

She felt as if she was a lonely soul and hungry for someone to touch it.

Years have past, she became a divorced mother, and started another journey in her life. She told herself this time would be different, because she was stronger, she survived so much that things had to be better for her.

Her life has had many rough roads, and when she met the man that she finally knew what love was suppose to feel like, she trusted him from day one, she smiled, she didn’t have to worry.

This is all a dream she realized after finding out that her husband did not really want to be there. He loved her, but he could not handle the fact that she had a heart that longed for love, who wanted to feel romance, and who ached to feel him. He could not handle the pressure of knowing he had to be someone he did not know if he could.

10 years later, she is still with him as he sits and reads his paper,and she sits and reads him, wondering to this day, will I ever know what it feels to be loved? Then she looked over at her little table, and as a tear rolled from her eyes, she saw him sitting right there by her side.

He had a hard stern outside, and was so full of wisdom, love and his word. She reached for him and looked up and said, “You have always been there for me, you have never let me down, you have carried me when I was weak, and allowed me to walk on solid ground, and for all this I am truly thankful that I have found and have known what true love feels like. For you are the only one who has given me your word, and who has never let me down.”

As she leaned over reaching for The Bible, she placed it close to her heart, and in her last breath she said, “I love you GOD, for being my true one!”

It has been awhile since I have posted on my site. I am going to make an effort to write two to three times a week on here to catch up.

My husband and I started a business last fall, and it has taken off! It started as a Mystery Shopping business. We took a look in our area and saw the need for improvements with locally run businesses. Then in November I started looking at ways that I could better my business, so I took my experience that I had and added another service to our business; Customer Service Training for businesses. This has started out to be a great need and one that business owners are relating to and seeing the need.
It has kept me busy, and I love it.
As I am training Customer Service, I still feel the need to write and have articles for people to have something to relate to, so I am back and ready to “catch up.”

Let’s change we we are now.
Some of you are probably thinking why? I love who I am.
That is great! But can you sit back and honestly say that you are a kind person toward others? Are you selfish? Do you want for you only, and have you ever hurt someone else and not even care?

Who’s fault is it? We are 100% responsible for our own actions, so we are the ones who are to blame; right?

We turn on the TV and the news tells us that there are young children being neglected, adults killing each other, adults in the professional field taking advantage of children, and then we as American’s complaining about our country.

What happen to the happiness, the safety, the love, the trust?

The sad part of all this is this; we as American’s can stop all this. It is not because taxes are high that we neglect our kids, it is not because we don’t like our President that we kill, it is not because we don’t make enough money that we take the innocence of a child, and it is not because we don’t have the freedom to make our country beautiful again.

It is we as PEOPLE, who have created this mess.

I believe there are good in people, and we need to praise on it more, read about what “Good” people are doing, award the adults to accomplishments of teaching a child how to tie their shoes, read a book, help a neighbor.
Watch the news stories about the beauty in America and why we all love it here. Top stories should be, “Neighborhood closes their street for a cook out and gathering.”

Can you imagine what could be the possibilities? Watching a young man help an elder lady across the street just because he cares.

Spending time with our kids as a family, and teaching them how to appreciate nature.

There are so much we as people, as American’s can do to help.

So go out today, open a door for someone, let the car pass you, smile at each other, because I believe the power of kindness, good and love can overtake the crime, the hurt, the worries that are going on now.
Remember this:
“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”

Don’t worry Be Happy, is a famous song that if you have ever seen the video you can’t help but laugh, smile and maybe even dance a little.

If you read the newspaper, watch the news on T.V., or get out of bed, you have dealt with change, stress, drama, LIFE.

Remember when you were a kid, and going to kindergarten was something that you looked forward to, coloring, playing outside, having graham crackers and milk, and even taking a nap. You were carefree, full of energy and excitement for life.

I can’t help but think if everyone in the world, took a nap, had milk and cookies how much relief we would all be in, or even for a moment of our day we can smile and not worry.

Over the past few years I have allowed “Worry” to run my life. I have become a person that I am not, and I struggle everyday to overcome the ugly word, “Worry”.
It takes over your mind, it creates evil, and if you stop and think about it, it doesn’t help you.
Today I challenge everyone that feels the need to worry, to just stop.
Find your place in life and allow yourself to smile!

Sing the song…
“Don’t Worry… Be Happy!!” and you will smile for that one moment in your life.

What has happened to our legal system?
Is it fair to say that there is no trust in our legal system?
What do we tell our kids now after we have told them to trust, to respect, to believe, and to love.
We tell our children to run and tell someone if they are being hurt, abused, neglected. We show them that they can trust that a “bad” person will never hurt them again.

It is just not true….What about this little girl? Can you hear her words now? Can you help her?
This is what she may be saying to you now:

“Dear Killer ,

Please look into my eyes before you slap me again, and see my confusion in my eyes.
Do you see my tears running down my face? they are there not because of the pain you are causing me but because I thought you loved me.
See I was once in your arms all nice and secure, but now I beneath you curled in a ball, so cold, so scared, so alone.
I smiled before when we laughed together, and now my face so drown and confused.
I will never understand why you did what you did, and how you took my life from me. I will never run and play, feel the soft fur of a puppy, will never play a sport, dance to a song, giggle with my friends, or fall in love with him now. You have taken all that away from me, the joy that I could have found.
You saw my tears running down my face, the sadness in my eyes, you saw the last breath I took as I closed my eyes, my soul was in your hands and all you did was stand.
You can not harm me no more for all you have done, for God has wiped my tears from my face, the blood from my soul and gave me my smile that you will never know.”

When a monster can walk away from killing an innocent child,or loved one, what has this world come to?
It is time that we make tougher laws, it is time we listen to the innocent and protect them, because I for one am tired of wasting time on people who uses the system to walk away.
We as a country stood together on 911 when terrorist came to our country and killed our loved ones, our people. We have lost our military loved ones who are fighting for our rights?
We killed a terrorist for killing one of our own, isn’t it only right to have someone that kills an innocent child/ loved one, that they be killed as well?
If we as a country don’t make changes now, our Justice System will not be Justice for ALL.

It’s that time of year and everyone is wanting to enjoy a vacation from the everyday life we live.

With gas prices so high most of us are trying for that get away that won’t get away from us, right?

Well just recently my husband and I took my teenage daughter and her friend on a vacation for a week, and not only did we have fun, but we did it without spending an arm and a leg.

We didn’t go far, we planned our trip in the same state as we live but far enough away with many things to do. We went to St. Louis, and there are so many things to do there that are “FREE” and then some that are not as much, but enjoyable.

Our hotel was only $39.99 a night, we found a coupon for this hotel and it has a pool which is something that we were looking for. Total about for hotel $275.00 that was not too bad.
We had a refrigerator and microwave in our room, so I went and bought drinks snacks and use the deli at the store to purchase fried chicken and microwave mac n cheese for the kids. Total amount for food for the week $185.00, and this includes eating out and we brought food back home with us.
Entertainment only cost $50.50 this included:
Movies one day we went during the rush hour and for 4 it cost us $37.50. The tickets were $5.00 per person, plus popcorn and drinks.
Going to the St. Louis Arch was only $13.00 which included parking. The kids were the only ones that went up in the arch, making it $5.00 per child. It was something they enjoyed and had fun.
Zoo… was “Free”
Science Center was “Free”
and swimming in hotel pool. “Free”
We took family games and our Wii for other entertainment which was a lot of fun to spend with everyone.
Our gas round trip was $100.00

This family trip cost us; $610.50 give or take some change.

We are fighting a war with these gas prices, and it is time we all come together and budget our fun.
If I had to do this all over again, I would change a few things, such as looking for a hotel that is closer to some of these attractions. The hotel was ok, but I’d want something bigger with two teenage girls.
Other than that I would not have changed a thing.

We had a great time, and was happy to return home.

One side note: There was only 2 hours the whole trip that the TV in our hotel room was on, it was the first night because they put us in a room by the elevator and I was trying to work so I turned the TV on to the country music channel to have some music on in the background.
It was wonderful!

My husband and I love to look for deals and as we plan for our travel days ahead we will always be looking for a great way to save money and have fun!

I’ve talked about how to have a romantic date with your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend or loved one, so lets talk about saving a few dollars for the family’s vacation.

With gas prices going up, many families will not be traveling too far because they can’t afford the gas, hotel cost and entertainment.

Here are a few ideas to help plan your family vacation without breaking your account.

There are so many coupons on hotels, and if you really look you can find a great deal in those books that have coupons. Saving $10.00-$20.00 a night on a room is a great way to save money, and some hotels will give you a better discount if you go through the week. Also check for close by cities to spend a family vacation.

If you plan your hotel right, you can have a free breakfast, swimming, fitness room, and Free WiFi.
If you have a family of 4, 2 adults, 2 children, you can spend 160.00-190.00 plus tax on a 4 night stay. Your breakfast is free, and at least 1-2 of those days the children can play in the pool, which is Free.

If you check online you can find close restaurants and go to their sites sign up for free promotions or coupons and most of the time they will send you a coupon for signing up to their site. You can get Free appetizers, buy 1 get 1 free deal or just a percentage off your next visit. A great way to save money and have fun.

The other thing to do is go online and find what Free Fun Family things you can do with your family while on vacation.
Most cities have Zoo’s some are free, some have a small fee, or check out the art museums. It is very easy to find Free things to do with your family, or coupons for that entertainment.

Movies, you can also find out if the theater close to your hotel, sometime a theater has a matinee and some have coupons for Free popcorn.

As much as we like to eat out while we are on vacation, the other way to save money is on food. You can get a few groceries before you leave on vacation. Have a sandwich at a road side park, or plan a picnic along the way.
Most hotels will have a small refrigerator and microwave oven, so making a small lunch or just simple snacks can save money.

Many ways to save on your family vacation. The best thing to do is sit down with your family, find out what you want to gain out of your trip, and find the best deals.

My husband and I are taking my daughter and her friend on a short little trip for Spring Break.
We found a great deal at a hotel for $39.95 a night, we are staying 4 nights.
The hotel serves breakfast so that meal is taken care of, my daughter and her friend are teenagers, so they want to swim for the most part.
We found out that the local Zoo where we are going is free, and they have a Science Center that is free.
I also have coupons for pizza delivery in case they are swimming and don’t want to go out anywhere for dinner.
I have Free WiFi so I can catch up on my work, and emails or just read a book.

We all have agreed not to spend much on this trip but we will have a great time!!

Share your ideas.

Why do people have children?

You hear everyday how child abuse is getting higher, or how children go up with out a father, divorce children being caught in the middle of fights, and finally mothers dating men leaving them with these strangers and then shocked because their child is dead. WAKE UP AMERICA!

Our children are the ones suffering from the effects of adults being thoughtless, careless, and just not caring.

Our children are the ones who are paying the price for these crimes, and I say crimes because it should be a crime to have a child and then abuse that child, to leave that child to not love that child.

These adults have one excuse after another, we hear their sides everyday.
Who hears the voice of our children? Who hears their last cry for help? Who is listening to them?
It is not the people who are giving birth to them, it is the ones who are trying to save them.

A mother leaves her children in a local restaurant, and 3 hours later someone notices and calls the police.
A mother leaves her toddler with a man she just meet online, knowing him only two weeks, he beats this child to death, and the police are called.
A step father sexually abuses his step daughter, get just jail time.
A father and mother get divorced and the children cry in their rooms because they are scared of what is going to happen next.
We can’t stop people from having children, or can we?
It is time we start protecting our children, and stop the abuse, stop the beatings, and stop death in our children.

If you can’t afford, spend time, or care for a child I’d say don’t have sex.

Raising a child is a 24/7 job, with no vacation time. It is a job that is for life, even as they grow up to become adults and have families of their own. It is stressful, it is painful, and you don’t sleep well, but your benefit is this:

You get to hear the laughter of your child,
You are loved by your child no matter what you look like or what you do for a living,
You have the best gift of all when you can hold your child in your arms, teach them to ride a bike, and walk them down the isle.
You feel that love in your heart from the day you feel that first kick, and it never goes away.

Stop abusing this precious gift, and start loving them.

What would you say if I told you that in 5-10 years our schools would be using a computer called,”Notebook” instead of their backpacks, books, paper, pens, and so on.

Some may think, ‘who is going to pay for that?” or “why would that help?”
Lets all stop and think about it;

Our lives are computers, and our children are learning how to use them as early as preschool age.

So lets just stop and think about if all our children had access to a netbook/notebook, what they could learn, what we could teach, and how easy it would be if they missed school because they were sick, how a parent could help their child with their homework and the child could email their assignments and get their work done on time.

Our children could learn to write a story, or what happened in 1976. It could be as easy as teaching them how to bake a cake or what does the word “Respect” really mean.

We waste so much money in our schools, and then they cut cost on things our children need and keep what they don’t need.
A teacher could use this and prepare assignments ahead of time, and if you live in a state that has snow days, our children could be doing homework, and teachers would not feel behind.

With the technology that we have available to our children, it is time that we all work together and use this to help our future and not make excuses for our children falling behind.

Now the big question, how do we pay for this?
Well lets stop and think about the cost of books for our children and compare the cost to a notebook computer. In the long run we could be saving the schools money.

The other idea would be our government. Our government is so quick to help another country with their education, why not start with our own kids?

It is time that we take a hard look at what our government spends on other countries, and put that to our children. Maybe if we spent the money and time that is spent on other countries on our own children we could provide safer homes, better education, and show them that they are needed.

Look at our education system in the United States, our teachers are the ones who are working hard to provide the best for our children, and some of them are using money out of their own pocket.

It is time, we stop cutting cost out of our education systems and putting more into helping our Schools, our Teachers and our Children.

I am a parent, and two of my three children are out of school now, but if this was available to them I know that it would have helped in many different situations.
My youngest will be in High School and I would invest in something like this because I know it would help her with all her classes.

The last thing that I think would be such a great benefit to our children would be helping a child that has learning disabilities. An autistic child, a child that has trouble reading,learning, and a child that has a disability.

All our children learn at different stages in their life, they develop at different stages and maybe having something like a “netbook/notebook it can give our children self confidence.
It can give a child a world of knowledge.

I will be doing more research on this, and writing a follow up. If you have thought or ideas please write me your comment.
This can change our education system for the best.