Thursday, July 30, 2009

Love One Another

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tar
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breathe in the familiar shock
Of confusion
And chaos

All those people goin’ somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what’s underneath
There’s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work, he’s buyin’ time

All those people goin’ somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah

I’ve been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way You’ve seen the people all along

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

Give me Your Eyes (Give me Your eyes for just one second)
Lord, give me Your eyes (Give me Your eyes so I can see)
Everything (Everything that I keep missing)
That I keep missing
Give me Your heart (Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted)
For the broken hearted (The ones that are far beyond my reach)
Give me Your heart (Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten)
Lord, give me Your eyes (Give me Your eyes so I can see)
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Single Mama Budgeting Tips

 

by Kelly Kennedy from www.singlemotherresources.com

As a parent you are bound to face a few challenges but as single mother you are bound to face challenges everyday. Raising a child is not meant to be done alone however today it is occurring more often then traditional value holders would like to see.

 

If you are a single mother trying to successfully raise your family you are among the many. There are a vast number of women that successfully raise their family. However there is also a great number of single mother’s that must bear the burden of covering their own costs as well as their child’s, all on one income. Whether you are working full time or going to school to better your education you have to make sure your child has proper care after school lets out or during the day while you are away. Whether this proper care is day care or a babysitter, they all come with costs. Many households today are faced with debt so it’s not a surprise to see single parents in debt. With the stress of everyday life, it’s important to not let your debt be ignored. Managing your debt right away is the first step which is followed by finding out ways to reduce your expenses and paying the rest off.

 

There are many things you can do to make sure you stay out of debt or get out of debt fast. According to many sources along with singlemotherresources.com budgeting is a key factor in helping so many people get out of debt and stay out of debt. The core of budgeting is for you as a single mother to see your monthly spending needs and habits. The purpose of a budget allows you to track your personal cash flow. Your personal cash flow is how much money comes in and how much goes out. Once you make a list you are going to realize that you have a lot more money going out then coming in especially on unnecessary goods such as impulse buys at the grocery store checkout, or items that your children want. Instead of giving in and giving your child what he or she is asking for, it’s best to tell them the truth that you can’t afford it right now. Suggest that your child starts or continues doing weekly chores and in return you will give them a small allowance where they can save up for something they want. This way it will take the burden off of you each time they ask for something. Once they save up enough money they can buy it themselves and then feel as if they earned it.

 

As for yourself and your expenses you need to make a monthly budget and follow it. You need to have the will power to control yourself from buying unnecessary items at the grocery store or taking your children to the latest movie. Go see a matinee film instead where prices are lowered, and eat before going to the grocery store so you won’t want to buy everything in site. Set financial goals for yourself and keep track of what you are spending. This way if you know Girl Scout dues are coming up, you can set a goal to put that money aside where you might have spent it on something else otherwise. Also by keeping track of what you are spending you might come to some realizations such as what you buy at the grocery store. Name brand products are just as good as generic minus the name so it’s worth buying generic products; you’ll be surprised in how much you save. Let your children be involved with budgeting as well. Have them make a list of chores they do and how much money they receive in return. They will see how hard work pays off. Keep in mind that owning something that you worked hard for creates something that no one can take away from you which is pride.

 

Before you know it, you will be on your way to being a debt free mom and able to treat your children to something special. But remember, it’s going to be difficult at first and you’ll want to give in or give up, but in it’s all worth it in the end. You will be a debt free mom as well as a successful mom in teaching your kids a valuable lesson in life; hard work pays off.

 

About Author:

Kelly Kennedy from singlemotherresources.com is the Communications Specialist for MindComet Corporation, a full service marketing agency for Fortune 500 companies and international conglomerates. Kelly specializes in public relations strategies focused on single mother's financial guidance. Kelly has been author to hundreds of articles focusing on single mother financial concerns. She also acts as a contributing author for a wide variety of websites and newsletters. Kelly holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing from the University of Central Florida.

This 10-ingredient shopping list will give you five days of meals

Evan SungMark Bittman.


Many people turn to unhealthy restaurant meals and takeout because they don’t have time to shop. In his latest “How to Cook Everything” segment on the Today Show, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman makes it surprisingly easy to cook a week’s worth of dinners with just a 10-ingredient shopping trip.

Mark assumes you’ve stocked your pantry with easy basics like spices, good cooking oils and vinegars, long-keeping carbs like pasta, rice and udon noodles, as well as soy sauce, garlic, lemon, butter and Parmesan cheese. With these staples, you can just pick up a few fresh ingredients every now and then, and “cook for days at a time,” Mark says.

Here’s a 10-ingredient shopping list that will give you five days of meals.

  1. Chicken breasts (4 boneless)
  2. Bacon (1/2 pound)
  3. Shrimp (1 pound)
  4. Spinach (1 pound)
  5. Tomatoes (6)
  6. Ginger
  7. Onions
  8. Asparagus (2 pounds)
  9. Button mushrooms (1 pound)
  10. Loaf of good country bread

Sound impossible? The ingredients can be easily combined, using oils, herbs and spices, to create the following five meals:

  1. Stir-Fried Chicken With Asparagus
  2. B.S.T. (Bacon, Spinach, Tomato) Sandwiches
  3. Grilled Chicken and Shrimp Kebabs With Vegetables
  4. Shrimp With Asparagus and Udon Noodles
  5. Pasta With Bacon, Spinach and Breadcrumbs

You can also see all the meals by checking out Mark’s Today Show appearance on the Bitten blog. And pasted below are the full recipes for each dish. And if you have a problem with bacon or any of the ingredients, feel free to substitute. (Mark notes that the amount of bacon used in these dishes is so small that he doesn’t fret about the fat content.)



Meal 1: Stir-Fried Chicken With Asparagus

Makes: 4 servings
Time: 30 minutes

Rice from the pantry for steaming or boiling
2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1/2 pound), cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch chunks or thin slices and blotted dry
1 onion, halved and sliced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated or minced fresh ginger
1 pound asparagus, sliced into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Cook the rice while you prepare the chicken and vegetables.

2. Put a large, deep skillet over high heat. Add half the oil, swirl it around, and when it’s hot, add the chicken. Stir once, then let it sit for 1 minute to sear. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken has lost its pink color, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and lower the heat to medium-high.

3. Put the remaining oil in the pan (it should heat immediately) and add the onions, garlic and ginger. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring, then add the asparagus. Raise the heat to high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus scorches a little in places and just starts to become tender, but not soft, about 2 minutes.

4. Turn the heat down to medium and return the chicken to the pan, and toss once or twice. Add the sugar if you’re using it, along with the soy sauce, and toss again. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and add 1/2 cup water. Raise the heat to high and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan, until the liquid is reduced slightly and you’ve scraped up all the crisp bits of chicken and vegetables. Serve over the rice.


Meal 2: The B.S.T. (Bacon, Spinach and Tomato) Sandwich
Makes: 4 sandwiches
Time: 30 minutes

1/4 pound bacon (about 8 slices)
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
8 slices good quality rustic bread, toasted
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
1 to 2 cups spinach, washed and trimmed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Put the bacon in a skillet over medium heat and cook, turning frequently, until desired crispness, about 6 to 8 minutes.

2. Spread the mayonnaise on the bread and layer the bacon, tomatoes and spinach on top. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper and top with another piece of bread to serve.


Meal 3: Chicken and Shrimp Kebabs With Vegetables
Make: 4 servings
Time: About 30 minutes

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 lemons: one juiced; one cut in wedges
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh marjoram or oregano leaves or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 boneless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
1 pound button mushrooms, trimmed but left whole
4 tomatoes, cored and quartered
2 onions, quartered

1. If you’re using wooden skewers (you’ll need at least eight), soak them in warm water while you prepare the ingredients. Heat a charcoal or gas grill or the broiler to moderate heat and put the rack about four inches from the heat source.

2. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herb and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a small bowl; taste and adjust the seasoning. Marinate the chicken for a few minutes, an hour or even overnight. Thread the ingredients on skewers, alternating as you like.

3. Broil or grill, turning once or twice, until the chicken and shrimp are cooked through and the vegetables begin to soften, 5 to 8 minutes total (to check for doneness, cut into a piece with a thin-bladed knife; the center should be opaque or still slightly pink). Serve with the lemon wedges.


Meal 4: Shrimp With Asparagus and Udon Noodles
Makes: 4 servings
Time: 20 minutes

1 pound asparagus, trimmed and peeled
12 ounces udon noodles
2 to 3 tablespoons peanut or neutral oil, like corn, canola or grapeseed
1/2 pound peeled and chopped shrimp
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
Soy sauce, to taste
Sesame oil, to taste (optional)

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Cook the asparagus until the thick parts of the stalk can just be pierced with a knife, just a couple minutes. Remove with tongs and shock them in cold water to stop the cooking process. Cut into 2-inch lengths, and set aside.

2. In the same pot of water, cook the noodles until just tender but not at all mushy; drain, rinse and set aside.

3. Put the oil in a large skillet or wok, and turn the heat to medium-high. A minute later, add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring, until they turn pink, 3 or 4 minutes. Raise the heat to high, add the asparagus and noodles to the shrimp and toss a few times to blend. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil if using, taste and the adjust seasonings and serve hot or at room temperature.


Meal 5: Pasta With Bacon, Spinach and Breadcrumbs
Makes: 4 to 6 servings
Time: 30 minutes

1/4 pound bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 or 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and slivered
1 cup of homemade breadcrumbs (from the leftover country loaf)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Salt
Remaining spinach (about 3/4 pound), washed and trimmed
1 pound spaghetti or other pasta
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or more as needed
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional

1. Put the bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium heat until it begins to brown and renders fat. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

2. Add the garlic to the bacon fat, and cook, stirring occasionally until just fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the breadcrumbs and red pepper flakes, if using, and continue cooking and stirring until the garlic is lightly crisp and the breadcrumbs are just golden. Remove the garlic and breadcrumbs from the pan and set aside.

3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Cook the spinach until it’s soft, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the spinach from the pan with a slotted spoon or small strainer, drain well, chop and set aside. Using the same pot of boiling water, cook the pasta.

4. While the pasta cooks, add the oil to the skillet and warm over medium-low heat. Add the drained spinach and toss well with the oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. When the spinach is warm add the bacon, garlic and breadcrumbs back to the pan and mix well.

5. When the pasta is done, drain it and add it to the skillet with the spinach, bacon, garlic and breadcrumbs; toss until well combined. If the mixture is dry, drizzle with a bit of olive oil; adjust the seasonings, and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if you like.

Monday, June 29, 2009

You said that I will be OK

Lifehouse – Broken

The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
I am here still waiting though i still have my doubts
I am damaged at best, like you’ve already figured out

I’m falling apart, I’m barely breathing
With a broken heart that’s still beating
In the pain, there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I’m holdin’ on, I’m holdin’ on, I’m holdin’ on
I’m barely holdin’ on to you

The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded, I’m an open book instead
I still see your reflection inside of my eyes
That are looking for a purpose, they’re still looking for life

I’m falling apart, I’m barely breathing
with a broken heart that’s still beating
In the pain (in the pain), is there healing
In your name (in your name) I find meaning
So I’m holdin’ on (I’m still holdin’), I’m holdin’ on (I’m still holdin’), I’m holdin’ on (I’m still holdin’)
I’m barely holdin’ on to you

I’m hangin’ on another day
Just to see what you throw my way
And I’m hanging on to the words you say
You said that I will be OK

The broken lights on the freeway left me here alone
I may have lost my way now, haven’t forgotten my way home

I’m falling apart, I’m barely breathing
with a broken heart that’s still beating
In the pain(In the pain) there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I’m holdin’ on (I’m still holdin’), I’m holdin’ on (I’m still holdin’), I’m holdin’ on (I’m still holdin’),
I’m barely holdin’ on to you

I’m holdin’ on (I’m still holdin’), I’m holdin’ on (I’m still holdin’), I’m holdin’ on (I’m still holdin’),
I’m barely holdin’ on to you

Sunday, June 28, 2009

God's Not Finished With Me Yet

Greater thing have yet to come and greater things are still to be done...

You’re the God of this City
You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation
You are

You’re the Light in this darkness
You’re the Hope to the hopeless
You’re the Peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

There is no one like our god
There is no one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Just Read This = Never Am I Going To Date Anyone...Ever

Try to get a first and last name of your potential date as soon as possible — Google his name, run it through the womansavers.com database, and check your local felon registry. If you think that this person is someone you may be interested in long term, do a background check on them.

If you have children, you must screen your dates even more because many times pedophiles will target single mothers for access to her children.

http://www.firstwivesworld.com/resources/resource-articles/avoid-dating-scammer