single parenting with Amber Jones

Yesterday there was a terrible accident in which a three-year-old little girl named Kennedy somehow got out of her seatbelt while traveling down the highway. Just like many moms, her mom tried to buckle her seatbelt while continuing down the road. Unfortunately she veered to far while reaching over to get the seatbelt buckled and while correcting her mistake — ended up rolling the vehicle. The little girl died.

This story really struck me because I have a little girl named Kennedy who is also three-years-old. Although my daughter is very good about staying buckled in her seat — I can relate to the actions of the mother. I can also only imagine the sorrow that her mother is feeling at this moment.

Action Plan: Give your kids a hug, smile and a kiss — be grateful yours is still with you. And if this happens to you in the future — find a safe place to pull the car over so that you can get your tot back into their seat where they belong.

It’s funny how people act in front of different people……..the character they portray. I had a discussion with a co-worker and she was talking about the sermon that the minister had given the previous Sunday. To summarize, the minister had stated that if the only reason you were going to service was to put on a show for people — meaning you thought people would believe you were a better person if you went to church on Sunday, therefore that was the only reason why you went — then you really had already gotten your reward.

Therefore, when you died and went to heaven God wouldn’t give you any additional credit for going to church because you had already recieved your reward while you were on Earth.

It caused me to think about other things and wonder if the same rules would apply — if you only treat your family well out in public because you don’t want others to see how you really speak to your wife/husband/kids? If you only attend your child’s activities because you want people to think you are an active non-custodial parent? Etc.?

Having watched every Dora episode ever made I come to the news of Dora becoming a tween bittersweet.  It is sweet because I am happy to finally have some new episodes to watch with my daughter — bitter because I wish television land would leave something alone so that kids can perform the natural progression of life. 

In looking at my house I cannot imagine that there would be any other trinkets of Dora left to buy ……..which I suppose is the purpose for the change — a whole new set of items geared toward the “tweens” to buy………parents get out your charge cards!

Today was such a beautiful day outside — we went to the park and then went for a walk around the neighborhood.  It is days like today that I wish I had a job where I could take the summer off.  Wouldn’t that be awesome?!? 

There are so many different activities you can do with your kids during the summer that just are not available to working moms — there are so many times when I think about all of the things that I’m missing with my daughter while I’m working.  Unfortunately, I do not foresee that changing anytime soon.  Therefore, I guess I just have to buy a lottery ticket and keep my fingers crossedJ

Seriously though, for those of you who are lucky enough to be able to stay home full time or to have a job with the summer months off or even part time — don’t ever forget how lucky you are — those of us working are envious 5-7 days a weekJ

After reviewing my quarterly balance on my 401K, I have to admit I am beginning to freak out!!  In the beginning I didn’t get to concerned — after all I am more than 20 years away from even thinking about retirement so for me a downturn in the Dow is a good thing.  But, after listening and reading to all of the economists as well as the financial advisers I was beginning to get a little bit concerned. 

Then I received my statement….and suddenly I was VERY concerned.  But is this a realistic concern?  As I said before I have a long time period to be able to recover — so should I still be thanking my lucky stars for a yard sale or should I be praying that I don’t lose everything?  My gut tells me to “buy, buy, buy” — but my head says “proceed with caution”. 

What do you think — full speed ahead or slow down?

Prior to my last child being born, I used to work out with a personal trainer three time per week — and I must say I loved it!!  Don’t anyone ever tell you that they are not worth their weight in gold because they absolutely are……..if you ever want to have that gorgeous body hire a personal trainer and they will get you there. 

Unfortunately I do not have the funds (or time) right now to go back to those grueling workouts with my trainer.  But, I also know that in order to get the best workout for my body I need to keep the routine changing so that my muscles don’t become stagnant.  So after looking on the internet I found that on www.shape.com– the magazine — they have supplied a bunch of different articles with a variety of work out routines within them.  Right now I am using the Meltdown Cardio Workout every other day and then running on the opposite days to keep up my endurance.  With the inclines built into the Meltdown I can really feel it in my butt — and that is always good!

So, get off your rear………take a look at the workouts that appeal to you — and head to the gym!