Let's face it times are tough and some Volusia County children will not have the basics they need to have a very happy and productive school year. 

Let's just forget about school for a minute and think about the lives these same poverty stricken children lead as they go without undergarments, proper nutrition and things so many people take for granted such as toothpaste, deodorant and 3 squares a day. In most cases these same children are put down, held back and ridiculed.  For children, being poor is not a choice its what they were born into, life happened and the children are the ones that suffer the hardest and will continue to do so until someone steps in and helps.

According to Census Data 16% of children of Volusia County under the age of 18 lives in poverty. 

When I think about the children in our county as well as across the globe who suffer from poverty and at no choice of their own.  It hurts me..it makes me sad.  Let's face it, every child counts regardless of race, religion and income.  Some of the most prosperous contributing adults I know today come from a background of poverty. It surely doesn't have to be that way!

If you do not know much about poverty, its hard work.  For the parents who work hard to try and keep food on the table and for the children who are made to feel as if they are nothing due to circumstances beyond their control!  Please do what you can and extend your hand in helping others to become a productive part of society. 

ADOPT A CHILD BACKPACK PROGRAM

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Live Entertainment: STONY SIXMA ON ACOUSTICS

Considered to be one of Volusia's foremost entertainers.  Stony keeps packing 'em wherever he performs.

MARTINI'S CHOPHOUSE RESTAURANT HAS AGREED TO DONATE 10%

OF SALES FROM THIS SOCIAL TO ADOPT A CHILD BACKPACK PROGRAM!

WHEN: FRIDAY JUNE 3, 2011  TIME: 5:30 P.M. UNTIL ??????

HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR THE CHILDREN * ENTER TO WIN GREAT DOOR PRIZES and 50/50 * SUGGESTED DONATION/ENTRANCE FEE OF $5.00

 

Life With Wee People: The cell phone diaries of minions and mayhem...

If your home is always tidy, neat and clean then God has truly blessed you with time on your hands because mine is usually messy and we're always busy doing something else besides housework (LOL). We do get around to it eventually but my kids have a way of making it seem like you haven't done squat in four hours. It only takes approximately 15 minutes for them to wreck the place so sometimes we leave their toys alone and simply enjoy the fact that the wee people have room just to be little boys playing.

My babies love their solid oak bar stools and can be frequently found twirling in circles at the kitchen counter when not obsessing over the computer, music, art, movies, books, toys and going outside to play. They also have a thing for Walmart... Half of my cell phone conversations usually begin with hubby stating they are shopping in Walmart (LOL). The little minions are becoming really good at getting their dad over there. Kudos to Walmart for catering to the little people with a stellar food and toy section. It's key to getting the kids to drag their parents in there (LOL).

In New York we lived in BJs and Target. I still do so I shall have to remind my mini Floridian transplants there is more to shopping nirvana than Walmart when I get back down there (LOL). ;-)

I kinda understand why my kids think Walmart is king. Sometimes, there are spaceships in my hallway parked outside the den door where little people pop up, down, in and out pretending to be monsters. Stellar moments like these are usually brought to us by shopping for things we don't need but definiately decide we do want while wandering around in Walmart.

We are all pretend monsters in my household and even have names: Daddy Monster, Mommy Monster, Noah Monster and Stephen Monster (Noah was very practical and efficient in naming us - LOL).

We usually emerge from our respective caves and spend our time chasing each other about while launching towel attacks and running from Stephen Monster (who likes to throw DVDs as if trying to live up to the "Off with his head" mandate from Alice in Wonderland - LOL).

When he's not launching plastic attacks Stephen, the Minion Blur can usually be found macking the remote controls to the only two televisions in the house (brought on sale from Walmart - LOL).

Poor Noah has been relegated to watching YouTube and Netflix on hubby's computer because Stephen must have control over "the big" TVs (which really aren't that big but big enough).

A little "Thomas The Train" or "Dispicable Me" will never do (unless we're in bed with the laptop - he really, really likes the laptop - LOL).

One of our favorite parts of the day is when they exhaust themselves to the point of falling out on a couch and napping. Stephen also spends a lot of time camped out on the floor on top of his Sponge Bob blankie. Like Susan Mangigian, he has discovered the value of chilling out in the sun spot (LOL). Normally, they rarely nap because they hate to miss anything but sometimes we luck out.

I kinda know how they feel about not wanting to miss out. I've been missing out on a lot of things while handling business up north. I am due for a run down south but I have to finish my paperwork first. I am looking forward to trading in my virtual cuddles for the real thing.

Watching my kids sleep always brings a stupid grin to my face. They cuddle a lot and are very affectionate when they're not going to war over a hot wheel car (LOL). I think they are amazing little people because battling Autism and PDD-NOS is not easy. We are going to have a lot to talk about when I get there. My trunk is already packed with a bunch of their NY toys so I may get ignored for a couple of hours after I land (LOL). ;-)

Stephen is very opinionated and Noah pretty quiet. Noah chats when he has something to say, unlike Stephen who periodically likes the sound of his voice and will sometimes sing and chat all friggin' day if the mood suits him (LOL). He frequently engages in echolalia while watching movies and can script sections at a time. Unlike Noah, who can phonetically sing and script in other languages while engaged in the habit, Stephen's echolalia is strictly limited to English (which I find absolutely fascinating - LOL). 

Stephen will also tantrum faster than Noah because he cares for every hot wheel car while Noah only obsesses over the computer.

Stephen also periodically has footwear issues (LOL).

Ever try telling beach minions they can't have their toes out in school? Noah (who suffers from Autism) was cool with putting his shoes on but not Stephen. The Minion Blur gave hubby a run for his money about that. As a parent you do not want a tantrum riddled PDD-NOS kid refusing to get on the bus at 7AM (LOL). I will confess to being very happy to have missed that particular melt down (although I did get to hear some of the screaming in the background when I called to check in with the shorties before they got on the bus). Poor, poor Mikey... You must keep hubby in your prayers because it's touch and go when battling with the learning disabled. ;-)

When they are not melting down over some trivial, inconvenient detail (like parents saying "NO!!!" - LOL) the wee people are marvelous little minions to spend time with. Noah the Net Geek was student of the month and received a lovely certificate for March 2011.

Noah also discovered he likes being up to his neck in things... literally (LOL).

Did I mention they're water rats? Not being able to swim I prefer them as rug rats (yes, my parental bias is showing - LOL). I guess I'm going to have bite the bullet and eventually learn how to swim since the shorties have an expectation of living part of their day in the ocean...

In case you haven't noticed we go out of our way to fulfill those wee people expectations (within reason). As parents discovering how to parent on a daily basis our kids make our life an interesting adventure.

I am looking forward to getting mixed up in what ever the wee ones decide our agenda is going to be.

While I'm handling business in New York my gorgeous guy pies have been keeping me up to speed with lots of cell phone pictures regarding their Florida adventures.

I am about to go on the hunt for some eye candy to bring them up to speed on my New York wanderings. I've been mad busy and up to my neck in paperwork so my phone has been off for three days while I've been on lock down getting ready for the next gallery show. I am almost afraid to check my messages. As usual I am in e-mail hell so be patient while I sort through them and answer a few questions later on... maybe... (LOL).

Will chat with you guys later. Gotta shower and go jogging then get ready for a presentation this afternoon. ;-)

 

Life With Wee People: Diary of a 4 year old yuppie... The Park Chronicles

OMG - I'm still cracking up with laughter...

I am supposed to be doing a slide show but instead I'm simply captivated by the expression on Stephen, the Minion Blur's face while on his park macking, candy munching, face painting, Noah chasing play date earlier today.

Little man is turning five next month. We have to plot some sort of milestone celebration. Being a cyberminion means it will have to be someplace interesting with electronics to oogle and lots of hot wheel cars involved (LOL).

Five is a big deal. I am hoping he wants to do something else besides go to Walmart. We usually try to give them what they want but lately all he wants to do is go to friggin' Walmart (LOL).

My kids virtually live in Walmart. It makes their little hearts sing (which freaks me out on soooo many inarticulate levels which are just not right - LOL) I like the store, don't get me wrong, I just rather live in Sam Ash or Lee's Art shop, but I digress... In the eyes of my small shoppers Walmart is KING. You can buy just about anything at the Walmart near our FL house and "I want to go car shopping," is Stephen's favorite conversation. He doesn't care if it's 2AM, if he wants to talk about cars homeboy will wake you up in a New York minute while driving one across your forehead as if parking on your eyes is no big deal (LOL).

If shorty wakes up with that as the top of his wee people agenda look out baby because he will bring you your shoes and car keys insisting it's time to go shopping.

My kids have a daily bucket list they mentally check off and can drive you crazy with their singularity, tenacity and purpose of mind. Being anal retentive myself, I kinda get that and don't hold it against them much. ;-)   

I love this cell shot from hubby. I'm thinking that expression would make a fun album cover (LOL). I have to go write a song just for my baby. He is turning 5 next month. Mama has to make him a special present and pick out a Noah shot for my next post. Noah the Net Geek has been very busy. We have lots to chat about... ;-) 

When I joined Active Rain, I met a lot of really nice people.   I have already written posts about how this platform allows us to confidently refer business to agents, because we get to know them.  As a RE/MAX agent, I used to always just go to the RE/MAX website, look up an agent in the town my client was moving to and place the referral.  This usually worked out well, as in my humble opinion, RE/MAX attracts a high quality of agent, but it's a little hit or miss if you do not know anything about them.  

I had commented on Neal Bloom's posts many times and he was kind enough to comment on mine.  He got to calling me his Big Sis, and I took to calling him Little Bro.   I liked the reciprocal nature of relationship building on Active Rain and I was learning tons abut writing and real estate.  Shortly after I started blogging,  Neal Bloom emailed me to see if I was willing to do the week in review.  I'm not sure anyone uses that group on Active Rain anymore, but I did a lot of research, read a lot of posts, and did one or two for Neal.  It was fun and I got to meet a lot of nice agents.  

Over the past few years that I've been a member, I've kept in touch with Neal and even called him once and we talked for over an hour.  I keep up with him on Facebook, as I do with lots of agents I meet on Active Rain and I find it further cements the friendships that we build here.

My husband is executor of his dad's estate and it was time to sell the house down in West Palm beach.  It was tenant occupied and the tenant had stopped paying rent or returning calls.   My husband knew that through this network I have met a lot of agents everywhere and I can refer business without a worry because through Active Rain, you can really get to know how an agent works and how they treat people.  I wasn't sure if Neal was close enough to West Palm Beach to even want the listing, but I emailed him.

The listing was about 45 minutes away but was not a short sale and the seller, my husband, was willing to price it to sell in the condition that Neal found it in.  Neal personally met people there to clean it out, fix what needed to be fixed and get it on the market.  In a market where homes take very long to sell, Neal got my husband an offer and it closed in just a few months from time of listing to the end of the transaction.  

Neal handled every problem that came up and was very good about keeping in touch.  Unfortunately for Neal and me, my husband is not on email, nor does he scan or text.  You know who was the middle woman in the transaction and poor Neal had to constantly call me and email me for whatever he needed.

Through it all Neal was cheerful, competent, professional and an all around good friend. He even paid me a referral!  He went above and beyond the call of duty and I am grateful to him for a job well done!  If you have referrals for the Weston Florida area, or anywhere thereabouts, you would do well to send them to Neal Bloom.  You will not be disappointed.

For those of you who never got to see the minion fields, here they are. At some point you are going to see the shorties with their Dad going down a walkway at a potential school. From that point on you've left SC and are hanging with the wee people in FL. As usual, when asked what they want to do, the shorties usually say, "Lets go outside..." (LOL) ;-)

I need a FL cell phone for vacation. Truck flips over, I speed dial 911 and get New York. My "duh" moment for today (LOL). Being a blogger, of course I had to run and fetch my camera... Will post Christmas pictures later. ;-)

In 2011, Let's:

Smile Frequently ~ Laugh Repeatedly ~ Touch Often ~ Hug Frequently ~ Praise Continually ~ Kiss Much ~ Love Infinitely ~ Be Happy...Unconditionally!

Elayna Fernández

Happy Holidays everyone. I wish you and your family lots of blessings  health, and much joy, every day left in this year and each day in the year to come!

Facebook seems to be on a mission to eradiate fear of change, by constantly introducing something new to enhance the social network's experience.

After recent changes to Facebook Groups, Facebook Messaging Service and the Check-in Appplication, yesterday, on a 60 Minutes Sunday night feature, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO, unveiled the "new Facebook profile", yet another change to the most popular social networking platform in existence.

The newest Facebook update consists in a new look to Facebook personal profiles, designed with the purpoe to "give a sense of who (people) are", according to Facebook's Product Manager's statementto USA Today.

The new Facebook profile will prominently display users' information at the top of the profiles.  You will be able to see a Facebook user's employer, hometown, relationship status, interests, and more...without having to click the info tab.

I believe this intuitive approach will make it less confusing for those learning to use Facebook and easier for "not-so-new" Facebook users who are looking to take advantage of Facebook's imminent networking value in marketing or advertising a product or service to carefully targeted users.

If you have not yet experienced the new profile, Facebok will prompt you in a future login to your Facebook homepage or profile. Just click on the notification and you'll be all set.

So get ready to embrace change as Facebook reinvents itself over and over. There's defnitely a lot more to come (and to get used to)!

Brandon is the son of a local real estate agent, Keith Kiel!  Please feel free to reblog, repost or say thank you to Brandon...I am no fan to war whatsoever...but I love my freedom and feel protected and privelidged to live in the U.S.  W e appreciate your service, we appreciate your beautiful music...we appreciate you!