redhotz's Blog

Once again, I feel it is time for parents to be more proactive in what their children are doing. 

I have been keeping watch on the story of Brooke Bennett.  She is the 12 y/o whose body was just found after missing for several days.  This is yet another tragedy that shouldn't have happened.  There are so many things gone wrong in this poor girls situation.  The one thing I would like to know is this...You have to be (I believe) 14 to get a myspace site.  This girl was 12, and had a site.  So, my question is this...did she fake her age or did someone do it for her? 

I've also read with much interest about a 23 y/o facing rape charges against him.  The charges stem from a 12 and 15 y/o girl who claim had different types of relationships with him.  Long story short, they met him at a skating rink.  (I know, what was a 23 y/o doing at a skating rink) So, they give him their cell numbers, and ask for his, which he reciprocates.  (which he shouldn't have done)  At one point, the 12 y/o begins texting this man.  Getting to my point, yes, a 23 y/o man should know better, he claims he didn't know her age until he was questioned by law enforcement.  And he also claims he was under the influence of alcohol.  Even at that, any 23 y/o adult would know better than to do anything with someone who is under legal age.  I'm guessing that this 12 y/o could not look under 18. 

So, I have several points to my post.  First, this man is going to face charges, and more than likely go to jail over this.  I'm sure my opinion will cause great rebuttals, but I'm putting it out there.  If these girls initiated the contact, even though this man utilized poor judgement, what repercussions will they face?  None most likely, while he will face jail time.  I don't disagree that he will face time.  He should have been smarter.  However, had the parents been checking their phones, known where their child/children were, would this have happened to their child? 

It is my firm belief that if you allow your child a myspace site, a cell phone, e mail, etc. that you should be well informed of everything that is going on within that technology.  At our home, if you are afforded those priveleges, mom and dad have total access to them all.  Everything that requires a password, mom and dad have the password.  You change the password and mom and dad can't access it, you lose it.  It's time for parents to take more interest in their childrens whereabouts.  I pick up my childrens cell phones and read their text messages.  I read their e mail, and look at their myspace sites.  I am even on their friends list.  If they don't like that, then what are they hiding?  And you know what?  They have not once complained.  Why?  Because they know we are caring parents that are taking an interest in their lives, and they know we want what is best for them.  We have their best interest in mind.

These stories don't necessarily have alot in common, but they do in that it reminds us to be mindful of where our children are, what they are doing, and who they are doing it with.  I pray that Brookes biological father can find some healing in this situation.  From what I can take away from the reporting, her mother wasn't exactly taking the best of precautions to ensure her daughters safety.  So sad her father had to find out this way.

I appreciate constructive comments and replies.  I do not delete comments unless they are rude, vulgar and ridiculous.  I welcome constructive feedback.  And I wish one and all a happy and safe 4th of July holiday.

With another school year nearing its end, and myself starting a part time job, the thought came to me "what will my kiddos do while I'm gone 20 hours a week?"  I know what my almost 12 y/o will be doing, she'll be spending a lot of time with my mom.  My 15 y/o, he'll be at home some of the time, he'll be doing summer school and drivers ed for a while.  No summer vacation plans because dad has 81 days left in the Navy.  No yardwork as our property owner has someone hired out to do that. 

So, what are your Summer plans?  What will you and your children be doing?  I am hoping for a lighter side of things post.  Time to brighten this place up.  No more cranky posts about all the bad things going on in the world.  Let's be creative!

You know what simply amazes me?  How so many people want to complain and belly ache about todays youth, and how they are this, or that, how they act, or should act.  After a year of being on this site, I have sat back and evaluated my experience.   I enjoy blogging here, I've learned alot.  My mom got interviewed for a  segment, that was neat.  For the most part, it's been a positive outcome.  So why am I posting this blog?

Have any of you ever done a reality check and realized at the pessimistic, negative vibe that comes from so many of the posts?  Now I realize that some blogs are a good place to voice your problems, vent, get the word out.  However, has it ever occurred to any of my fellow bloggers that people of all ages read this/visit this site?  How do we expect todays youth to make any changes if they are exposed to such hatred, vile remarks, negativity?  I myself am guilty, I am not perfect, and have never claimed to be.  I do my best to remain positive, even when I don't want to.

So, I am challenging each and every one of you...The next time you respond to a blog, post a comment that instead of being negtive, throwing out sarcastic remarks (as I have done sometimes way too often), or being just plain mean.  Try turning it around, you can reply with the same comment and get your point across without being rude, ignorant and mean.  Consider constructive criticism.  Consider this...your child, grandchild, niece or nephew waltzes in and is checking out what you are doing.  Or you have left this site open, and they are reading not only what you have written, but what others have.  Is this what you want them to see you as?

That's my challenge to myself and others.  I realize we can't change the world overnight.  But we can start here.  What do you, my fellow bloggers think?

I must admit that I'm not an avid AI watcher.  However, tonight I happened upon the program and sat down to watch.  David Cook is incredible.  Anyone who talks trash on him should be ashamed.  While I don't know all that much about him personally, just from tonights performance, he ROCKED the stage!  I hope that he goes on and wins this competition. 

I posted this last week under Entertainment and didn't get any responses.  Maybe noone watched it.  Just wondering if I would get any response by putting it under news.  Now that the program is over, maybe you've all had a chance to let it sink in and decide how you really feel!  My favorite episode was the very last night!

Just curious as to how many watched/are watching the program on PBS titled "Carrier" this week about Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz?  I have been watching it, and so far, am fairly pleased with it.  I have learned some things that I wasn't familiar with, didn't know, and saw parts of a ship I didn't get the chance to before.  For the most part, the Nimitz isn't much different than the might G Dub that my husband is a part of.

I have to admit though, I am a bit disappointed that there was so much coverage about aviation and aircraft.  I realize that these ships are floating runways, and aircraft carriers are mainly about aviation.  And if it were not for the fact for me having a direct connection, perhaps I would know no different.  I just thought there would be more coverage about other shops/departments, and so on.  I am enjoying the program though, and plan on purchasing the entire set as my children don't get to stay up that late to watch it.

I hope you have had a chance to see it.  I do think that PBS will re play it.  So, if you've missed it, please check your local listings and watch the program. 

If you've been watching, please weigh in your comments!  I'd love to hear what you think!

As I have blogged before, we moved back to the midwest last summer.  I blog here to keep up on what's going on where the many friends we made are still living.  I blog on the local myfox4 site in KC.  The action there is crazy compared to this site, so I'm wondering why there isn't much action on the Hampton Roads site.  I blog for many reasons, and wonder if perhaps it hasn't caught on there, or if there are other reasons.  Just curious!  So, if you have any thoughts, let me know!  Visit  our myfox4 site and click on blogs to check out how busy our site is.  I think you'll be surprised!  Sometimes our site can be real fun, other times it gets hectic and horrible, but as with anything, you have to take the good with the bad.  Here is the site  http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/pages/News;jsessionid=FD9
41B48311991ED3D437732C9F0EF12?pageId=3.1 

Looking forward to your comments!

redhotz

Just curious as to how many watched/are watching the program on PBS titled "Carrier" this week about Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz?  I have been watching it, and so far, am fairly pleased with it.  I have learned some things that I wasn't familiar with, didn't know, and saw parts of a ship I didn't get the chance to before.  For the most part, the Nimitz isn't much different than the might G Dub that my husband is a part of.

I have to admit though, I am a bit disappointed that there was so much coverage about aviation and aircraft.  I realize that these ships are floating runways, and aircraft carriers are mainly about aviation.  And if it were not for the fact for me having a direct connection, perhaps I would know no different.  I just thought there would be more coverage about other shops/departments, and so on.  I am enjoying the program though, and plan on purchasing the entire set as my children don't get to stay up that late to watch it.

I hope you have had a chance to see it.  I do think that PBS will re play it.  So, if you've missed it, please check your local listings and watch the program. 

If you've been watching, please weigh in your comments!  I'd love to hear what you think!

I wonder if anyone else has watched in horror as I did of the 19 y/o woman who was taken into Florida state custody and her 12 month old son taken into child services custody?  The living conditions of that home were beyond acceptable, the dfacs reported it as biohazardous.  And then there is a man on the Nancy Grace program last night basically coming to the young womans defense and suggests that the young woman has mental problems.  She sure didn't have any mental problems when she openly told the police everything as they questioned her.  She isn't being held in the jail under any type of mental watch.  How in the world does this happen, and where is the father?  I have to say that personally, I think she appeared uneducated.  How do I come to this conclusion?  How does one "look" uneducated?  Hard for me to explain, I just hope that they will rehabilitate her and some day she will be rejoined with her child. 

What are your thoughts on this matter....if you've seen the coverage?

Just curious as to how many watched/are watching the program on PBS titled "Carrier" this week about Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz?  I have been watching it, and so far, am fairly pleased with it.  I have learned some things that I wasn't familiar with, didn't know, and saw parts of a ship I didn't get the chance to before.  For the most part, the Nimitz isn't much different than the might G Dub that my husband is a part of.

I have to admit though, I am a bit disappointed that there was so much coverage about aviation and aircraft.  I realize that these ships are floating runways, and aircraft carriers are mainly about aviation.  And if it were not for the fact for me having a direct connection, perhaps I would know no different.  I just thought there would be more coverage about other shops/departments, and so on.  I am enjoying the program though, and plan on purchasing the entire set as my children don't get to stay up that late to watch it.

I hope you have had a chance to see it.  I do think that PBS will re play it.  So, if you've missed it, please check your local listings and watch the program. 

If you've been watching, please weigh in your comments!  I'd love to hear what you think!

I receeived the link below, and am wondering if anyone knows any more about this?  It appears this was about 2 weeks ago or so.  I am interested to find out more, but not sure how to or where to look am coming up at a loss via cnn, other than this video.  I would appreciate anyones help!

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/03/24/kay
e.walmart.lawsuit.cnn?iref=24hours

My consultation went well.  However....my weigh in was off, and it is definitely time to buckle down, and get this done.   If only I can get the 2 consultations out of the way, then I will have my surgery date on the books!  Just wanted to let you all know how my appointment went yesterday!  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!  Will keep you posted!

Redhotz

A while back, I posted a blog requesting  general feedback on the lap band procedure.  I received great response, and I thank everyone for that.  I wanted to update you all that I go in Monday for my initial consultation!  I am so excited.  I am not entering this lightly.  I have done a ton of research.  I have tried many other avenues, and failed.  I am not doing this so I can become lil miss skinny.  I want to be healthy.  My current height is 5'8" and my weight is 260# .  I am sure you are all asking why I am throwing up all this info.  Well, many reasons.  One reason is it is my hope that I can encourage others that there is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to fear, and no reason to hide behind who you really are.  I know there will be many changes take place in my life as I endure this adventure.  To look at me, I've been told that there is no way I need weight loss surgery.  The great thing for me is that I carry it very well.  Thanks to my height, and my build I would say.  Genetics I am sure too.   I also am putting this out there as a way to start the process for ME.  As I embark on this journey, I am going to document each and every step I take.  I want to look back on this and see how I progress.  I also want to help anyone I can and be a tool (if you will, so to speak).  So, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  My mother will be following me through this as her and my father will be helping me out as needed.  As I've said in so many blogs before, my husband is still serving in the Navy, until August.  So, he will not be here to take care of me and help out as needed.  I have a huge support system to stand behind me.  Thank You each and every one!  I look forward to your support and positive feedback!

REDHOTZ

This post has been edited by an administrator

A while back, I posted a blog requesting general feedback on the lap band procedure. I received great response, and I thank everyone for that. I wanted to update you all that I go in Monday for my initial consultation! I am so excited. I am not entering this lightly. I have done a ton of research. I have tried many other avenues, and failed. I am not doing this so I can become lil miss skinny. I want to be healthy. My current height is 5'8" and my weight is 260# . I am sure you are all asking why I am throwing up all this info. Well, many reasons. One reason is it is my hope that I can encourage others that there is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to fear, and no reason to hide behind who you really are. I know there will be many changes take place in my life as I endure this adventure. To look at me, I've been told that there is no way I need weight loss surgery. The great thing for me is that I carry it very well. Thanks to my height, and my build I would say. Genetics I am sure too. I also am putting this out there as a way to start the process for ME. As I embark on this journey, I am going to document each and every step I take. I want to look back on this and see how I progress. I also want to help anyone I can and be a tool (if you will, so to speak). So, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. My mother will be following me through this as her and my father will be helping me out as needed. As I've said in so many blogs before, my husband is still serving in the Navy, until August. So, he will not be here to take care of me and help out as needed. I have a huge support system to stand behind me. Thank You each and every one! I look forward to your support and positive feedback!

REDHOTZ

After having read so many blogs about todays youth and the many things that go on in todays world, I was compelled to share this story.  Last night I was online at the Slingo game site, playing a game I regularly play.  There were several players of different ages, and 2 of which were 15 and 17.  Now, in this game, there is an area which you can chat while you are playing.  Things are going along pretty good, and then these two youngsters begin getting to know each other.  Not a big deal.  Until they start discussing how one had been kicked out of school (she was an army brat to which she was bragging about) and the 15 y/o, well, he asked why.  To which she gladly reported because of getting caught with "weed" at school.  They found this quite humerous.  I had been conversing with these two and it was going quite well, until this came up.  Well, that's when the conversation took a turn.  Of course, my disapproval did not go over well.  To sum it up, I was called things to which I am sure that the army daddy would probably not have approved of.  These two youngsters were saying things that even most adults do not say.  Or at least in an open forum/chat would not find appropriate.  Come to find out, army brat as she calls herself was home alone, grounded, while mom and dad were in Oklahoma at the casino.  Yes, she told everyone this.  She also broadcasted she was in Wichita.  The 15 y/o I might add also came forth and broadcasted he too was in Wichita.  Now, forgive me if I am strict, overprotective, naive, whatever, but I have brought my kids up to not give out any personal information on the net.  Then again, my children are not allowed to chat online, nor get involved in any game site which allows that.  My children are 15 and 11 and yes I do leave them home alone.  They are not perfect, I do have my problems.  I do not ground them, and then leave them home alone either.  When they are grounded...I am grounded.  On one occasion, my son was overheard speaking vulgar language at a sporting event at our high school, and yes, I was told.  He was reprimanded.  So, is it me, am I being too hard on my kids?  Or are there too many kids being raised by themselves?  Are they seeing inconsistencies and that is perhaps the reason for lack of respect?   I do give my children room to grow, they have priveleges, but they do have chores, they obey the rules of our home.   These are just 2 children I observed that were out of line.  Granted it was only online, and they do not know me.  However, there were several other ladies in the room.  I hope I don't get responses about parents who can't be home because they have to work, or this or that.  You know, that is such a hot topic for me.  I could go on and on.  I think it's time to revert back to a day when we didn't live beyond our means, moms were home to raise the children, and dads worked, came home and the family spent quality time together.  Does my family do that?  Well, currently, my husband is serving the country, I am a stay at home mother, and yes we do have supper at the table.  My children are involved in community service organizations.  They are not sports oriented.    I hope for positive feedback, I am open to constructive criticism.  Thank You to all!  Have a great week!

This doesn't exactly fall into any exact category, so I'm posting in news, as once my decision is final, it WILL be news! 

I have been trying to decide on getting the kids a pet.  Of course I'd love to get them our dream dog, a golden retriever, however, we are currently renting a new place, and it isn't the right time for us to take that plunge.  So I've come across an ad that has miniature schnauzers and Scottish Terriers.  I am working on my homework about each of these breeds.  However, I am looking to my fellow bloggers to see what you think.  One plus I have found is that either would work well for us as both my children suffer from allergies, and one website I read that the mini schnauzer is a great choice for such persons. 

So, everyone, tell me what you know about these breeds, and any advice you have.  A small breed dog  seems right for us right now, I do not work, so I am able to be home and devote time to the new addition.  I appreciate all input you can give!  Thank You!

Redhotz