MICHAEL JACKSON - This Is It

No different than anyone else in the free speaking world, I had heard plenty about Michael Jackson to make me question some of his actions and decisions. Regardless of whether or not he did the things he was accused of, he was a musical genius. Almost all of today's pop/rap artists can credit him for some type of inspiration. Trying, as a child, to sing and dance like Michael Jackson; I chose another profession. For that, I can give him credit. I believe you should do something and do it very well. I could neither sing nor dance well, not that good anyway.

I guess like some people remember the passing of Elvis or JFK, I will always remember that very moment in time when I first heard of Michael Jackson's death. In the days to follow, so much of the good was brought back to light and I became truly heartbroken for his family, especially his children. I had never entertained the possibility that he would never record or perform again.

Along with my mother and children, I headed out to see the This Is It film this past Saturday. Growing up when Michael Jackson was on top of the world and music industry, I had always hoped to see him perform. I'll admit to not being sure what to expect, especially since the family has shown such opposition to the film being made public. Knowing they were in such opposition, I questioned there being something in the movie that would be embarrassing or humiliating.

As I had always heard, Michael Jackson wouldn't disappoint his audience! Having seen This Is It, I feel as if I finally got to attend one of his shows. I noted him to be extremely kind and appreciative to those around him. His energy was unbelievable! He definitely did not look like a man who was feeble and near death like I had heard reports of. If I can move like that when I'm fifty, it will be nothing short of a miracle. The film is rated PG-13, but I'm not sure why. There was no cursing and no nudity. There were no sexual connotations of any kind. It was apparent he genuinely cared about the people he worked with. This man put everything he had into everything he did for his fans. For that, a great amount of respect was re-established, even if only in my eyes.

Car Buying Tips

In these economic times, buying an automobile can be a hair-raising experience. Here are a few tips that may help in the process.

Consider purchasing a used car as opposed to a new one. When you drive a new car off the lot, it automatically depreciates thousands of dollars. Let someone else take that hit. By purchasing a car that's a year or so old, you still get the benefits of the manufacturer's warranty, low miles and yet a quality car. It will still be practically new, but without the "new" price tag. People often trade in cars in perfect or near perfect condition. Some trade up, some trade down. Either way, you reap the rewards.

Another way you can get a slightly used car is through the demo and program car offers from dealerships. These cars may have a few more miles, but are still quality cars at discounted prices. Rental car companies often have used cars they sell too. Think about it, when you rent a car, you want it to be a late model, clean vehicle with low miles. When the miles exceed the normal yearly average, they sell. Do your research and I'm sure you will drive away with a steal of a deal.

You can find some deals on the internet, but please be careful. Some of these deals seem too good to be true.....because they are! If you come across an offer for a late model vehicle that's offered at less than half Kelley Blue Book value, you should RUN!!

If you insist on inquiring about this car, you've most likely just become part of a scam. The seller will promptly e-mail you explaining he/she has relocated the United Kingdom and can't register the automobile there, hence, the sell. The pictures and options will blow your mind! You'll even receive the VIN number in case you opt to get a Carfax report. You'll be thinking you've stumbled on the deal of a lifetime! Next, you'll be prompted to mail $1000.00 in "good faith" to prove serious interest in the car, at which time the seller will fly to the states to let you see and drive the car.

The kicker is being asked to send $1000.00 in the sellers name, via Western Union, on behalf of an escrow company. I've researched this and learned anytime and everytime you're asked to send money via Western Union, it's a scam! Escrow companies are in no way affiliated with Western Union.

If you're wondering if this actually happened to me, the answer is yes. I was so certain I wanted this car that I had the money in my hand to pay the balance upon seeing and driving the car. Had it not been for that "gut feeling" telling me something wasn't quite right, I'd certainly be out of $1000.00 dollars.

Buyer beware of these scams and happy shopping.

Halloween Caramel Apples for Children

We all love caramel apples, especially around Halloween. Here's a quick and easy recipe for that's perfect. Your children will have a blast making them and clean up is a breeze!

Outrageous Caramel Apples

Caramel Apples taken to the next level. Decadent and Delicious!

Ingredients:
2 cans B. Lloyds Sweet and Salty Glazed and roasted Pecan Pieces
5 Granny Smith Apples, stems removed
1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoon milk
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
5 craft sticks

Directions:
Line a baking tray with wax paper and set aside. Pour nuts into a medium mixing bowl and set aside. Place a craft stick into the top of each apple.

In a microwave safe bowl, heat caramels and milk for 4 minutes. Stir and heat again for 1 minute. Allow to cool slightly. Roll each apple in the caramel sauce until well coated. Dip end of each apple in nuts and place on wax lined tray. Allow to cool completely.

While apples are cooling. Place semi sweet chocolate chips in a zip lock bag and microwave until melted. Place white chocolate chips in a zip lock bag and microwave until melted. Snip the ends off each bag and drizzle apples with each chocolate. Refrigerate until set.

Servings: 5
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Senior Entitlement, Or Is It?

I've loved "little, old people" for as long as I can remember. I always thought they walked, drove, cooked and even talked slower because they had come to the place in their lives where they no longer had to hurry. Maybe they had "earned" the right to slow down since they had obviously made it this far.

But lately, it seems all these precious seniors I've always loved to love, have become rather snippy and quite rude. What? This isn't what I remember as a little girl. I was always the one fussing at the adult who tried to hurry the senior citizen off the road. I was the one reminding people to be patient when walking behind an elderly person because after all, we would be old one day.

I've run into more than my share of people in their 6th, 7th and 8th decades of life who are just plain mean. Why do they say things like, "If you knew what you were doing, this wouldn't take so long?" and "If your Daddy had whipped you more often, you wouldn't be doing that."? Do these people not understand that chances are pretty good that someone like you and I will most likely be caring for them in the not too distant future? Do they really want to be that harsh with us?

I considered the fact they may see this kind of behavior as a sense of entitlement because they have, in fact, made it this far. Then I sat back and considered that maybe I've just become that grumpy, yet wiser person approaching her 4th decade of life that doesn't have to tolerate rudeness from anybody, not even the "little, old people" I've always honored and respected so deeply.

What do you think? Should we speak up and ask, "I'm sorry, is it necessary for you to speak to me that way?" Should we stand our ground and say, "If you can't speak to me with some respect, you'll have to find someone else to direct you to your lost car."?

Don't get me wrong, I still love the elderly.........some of them anyway.

This entry doesn't pertain to those people who have dementia, alzheimer's or any other physical ailment that impairs them. It's strictly for the elderly that choose to be mean!

Parenting Children Who Are Overweight

Seeing a difference in children's weight these days, as opposed to twenty years ago is readily apparent. If you are like most Moms of more than one child, you probably have a child that falls into the overweight category. Being overweight is not only an excess of weight, it's now defined as being larger than the anorexic girls walking around our kids' schools. It's sad that society has done this to our children, little girls mostly.

Recognizing this problem involves more than a true weight problem; it involves the child's self perception as compared to other children. Therefore, it's vitally important as a parent, to pay close attention to how your child feels about himself/herself. If your child begins asking questions about why they don't look like the other kids and paying entirely too much attention to outward appearances, remember reading this article.

Before addressing the weight of my child, I chose to address the self-esteem issue. If a child feels he/she is perfectly acceptable in the eyes of her parents, she is more likely to feel acceptance across the board. Reinforce the fact of the child's value being in the person she is rather than what she looks like. This is easily done by recognizing and praising their achievements and skills. A person's success in this world is going to be in what they do, not what they look like. Set your child up to win by encouraging them in their scholastic achievements, sports, etc.

Once your child has a healthy opinion of self, there are many tools available to help you help your child. Diet and exercise are the tried and true methods that will ensure a healthy body for years to come. Portion control was huge for me. Instead of making an entire plate of food, I would make sure the food only covered 1/2 the plate. That truly is more than enough for a child! Adding a thirty minute brisk walk three times a week is a good start. You can visit weightlossforall.com for great tips on exercise, weight loss and healthy dieting habits. Remember, it's a lifestyle change that will occur over time. Keep your child encouraged about the long-term benefits of healthy eating.

One diet that's well-balanced and easy to stick to is Weight Watchers. Over the years, they have improved their diets to accommodate individuals with busy lives. Weight Watcher's is just one example of a nutritionally sound diet. You can Google "diet" and stumble upon more than you ever thought possible. The most simple diet is that of high protein, low fat with moderate carbohydrate intake.

I hope this helps someone in their challenge. Please leave any additional tips that you feel may be beneficial to me or other readers.

Fight or Flight? What do you teach your children?

While teaching my children the ways they should and should not handle conflicts, the bottom line is to avoid fighting if at all possible. I'll recap the events of last night to let you know how that's working for me.

After work, the family gathered at home to get ready for the high school football game. We have three children ages thirteen, fifteen and seventeen. Our son is the older of the three and the younger two are girls. My best friend's sixteen year old daughter was over to spend the night too. This means we had to take two cars to accommodate everyone.

Our team was completely clobbered, but otherwise the game was uneventful. My husband and I head home after giving the children a few dollars to run by Sonic for a slushy. I figured the kids would be home by the time I changed into my pajamas and got ready for bed. Once we arrived and were ready for bed, the kids still weren't home.

About five minutes after sending all of them a text asking where they were, my phone rings. My thirteen year old is frantic and screaming, "These boys are attacking Brennan and have busted out his windshield!" I can hear my other daughter in the background screaming, "Sonic, now, Sonic, right now!" Good for her, she was calling the police. It was then I realized I wouldn't be going to bed anytime soon.

My husband and I race outside, hop in the car and hurry to Sonic. The parking lot of Sonic resembled a riot with policemen and kids running around everywhere. As a mother, I didn't care about anything but making sure my son was okay.........and the boys responsible for this went to jail!

Relived my son was okay, I walk over to the vehicle to check out the damage. It could have been much worse, so now my concern is what in the world happened? Apparently, the EX-boyfriend of the girl spending the night with us, saw her in the car with my son and daughters. In an instant he became outraged and charged the car, along with a friend. Who would have thought going for a slushy from Sonic could cause such a commotion?

Getting down to the facts of the fight, I learn these two boys come to the open window of my son from behind the car. One of them lunges in the window and starts hitting my son, while the other is trying in earnest to come in via the windshield. Trying to avoid a fight at all costs, my son only tries to keep the boy from continuing to hit him. The girls report him grabbing his arms in an attempt to subdue him.

My whole opinion on avoiding fighting has just changed. If you are so bold as to come in my vehicle to hit me, I'll be slugging with wreckless abandon! It broke my heart to hear my son explaining to the policeman that he didn't want to get in trouble so he only tried to keep from being hit. He leaned back and put his foot up to block the boys punches rather than puttin' up his dukes and defending himself and his property. It's not as if he couldn't defend himself, he was merely trying to be obedient and stay out of trouble with the law.

If I'm robbed on the street and shoot someone, I'd be charged with attempted murder or murder. If someone comes into my home, however, and attempts to steal from me, I can shoot him and it be self defense.

Furthermore, I have a question. Why would this boy, who broke up with his girlfriend, believe he had any right to control who she rides with or anything else for that matter?

As for jail, you ask? The boys instigating this whole incident are still seventeen, therefore, can't be taken to jail. They were free to leave the scene and go home to sleep comfortably in their beds with the knowledge they can do whatever they want to whomever they want....until they are eighteen.