Real World Mom

Recently I was asked to review a book on teenage pregnancy. Although I was married and my pregnancy was planned, I was a teen mom. I’m also the mother of a 13 year old daughter. When I learned that the book, “Hope…Joy (and a Few Little THOUGHTS)™ for Pregnant Teens” was written to inspire and give hope to young mothers, I knew I had to read it.

Something else that impressed me was that the author, Rachel Brignoni, wrote from experience, not just opinion. Rachel herself gave birth to a son at the age of 17.

Simply stated, this book offers hope and encouragement to pregnant teenagers and teen moms. Which, unfortunately, is not typically easy to find in our society.

Rachel suggests ways of helping to change negative thoughts into positive ones, creating a happier, more confident person. She also includes exercises in the book to put readers on the path of finding out who they are, what they want from life and how to set–and attain– the necessary goals to turn it into a reality.

One of my favorite quotes from the book (which can be applied to all of us) is, “Your perceptions of your situation, positive or negative, have the power to shape your experience.” In my opinion, this is absolutely true, and all the more reason that pregnant teens–or anyone going through a difficult situation–should be surrounded by as much positive influence and encouragement as possible. This book should definitely be a part of that network of support.

Included with the book is a cd entitled “A Whisper of Hope.” (Click on the title to be taken to YouTube to see the video and hear the song.)

If you know any teenagers who are pregnant or have recently become mothers, please consider recommending this book to them. It’s currently available through the publisher’s website: Hope…Joy (and a Few Little THOUGHTS)™, as well as Amazon.com (see below).

It’s time for Scrolling Saturday again! The topic this week: Should I go back to school?

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Too Cool For School–At 40?

Last summer, I decided I was going to attend the local community college. In a short period of time, I applied to the school (and was accepted!), applied for financial aid and took my placement test. Then, life just seemed to get in the way, and I never enrolled.

Lately, though, I’ve been thinking more and more about getting that fire going under myself again.

As far as I’m concerned, my career has reached a dead end. My background is in retail, and I just don’t have the energy to do that anymore. I want to do something different–perhaps even something meaningful.

I want to get my Associate’s Degree as a Human Services Technician…I think.

I’ll be 40 years old in just two months. Am I crazy to be considering starting all over at this age? Or is it never too late to improve your life?

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Two months after writing this, I’m still undecided. Any advice from the blogosphere?

To see all the participants of Scrolling Saturday, or to join in the fun, visit THIS PAGE.

Scrolling Saturday was created by Melissa at Such Simple Pleasures and Coleen at Manners and Moxie. Be sure to stop by and show them some bloggy-love!

Happy Saturday!

Becca from BeccA’s Buzz has done it again! Another great Give Me 5!

The ‘Give Me Five’ Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple, short list! Here’s how it works: Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn’t have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified.

Sign up for weekly reminder emails at beccagirl@charter.net.

THIS WEEK’S THEME:  GIVE ME 5 LINKS TO YOUR OWN PAST BLOG POSTS THAT ARE MOST MEMORABLE FOR YOU.

1-  To Pierce or Not to Pierce (12/27/07)~  Guess I like this post because I decided to stand up to my stbx.  For years, he controlled me (or tried to), so it’s empowering to do what I think is right, whether he agrees or not.  Her birthday is in three weeks!

2-   Another Form of Family (12/16/07)~  This one is near and dear to my heart because it’s about my friends and how important they are to me.

3-  Perfectionism (12/12/07)~  I battle with this way too frequently.

4-  Teen Alcohol & Substance Abuse (1/25/08)~  Important info here!

5-  Top 10 Sex Myths Debunked (1/21/08)~   Found some entertaining stuff in the article that inspired this post.

I’m feeling loved this week! I’ve been tagged again–and again! First by Colin at Life for the “Knowing Me, Knowing You” meme–go say hi to this great guy! And then by Ash at Paisley Goddess for the “Refrigerator” dare meme–take a minute to visit her and let her know I sent ya!

KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU

Copy this entire list of questions and change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then tag and pass it along to other blogging friends. Let’s see how well we can get to know one another!

1. What is your occupation? At the moment, I refer to myself as a “Domestic Goddess”.

2. What color are your socks right now? White (and I’m only wearing them because it’s Winter and I’m freezing!).

3. What are you listening to right now? My computer (it’s loud) and the washing machine (refer to #1).

4. What was the last thing that you ate? If I could remember, I’d tell ya.

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes. (You didn’t ask if I can do it well though.)

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? That’s easy, purple.

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My friend/sister, Vicki.

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? He’s freaking AWESOME!

9. Favorite drink? #1: Coffee; #2: Diet Pepsi.

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Naked male mud wrestling (this should produce some interesting Google searches, eh?). That is a sport, right?

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? A time or two…

12. Pets? Yes. Oh, did you want to know what? Well, I think you all know Madison!

13. Favorite food? Pasta, I could eat it every damn day.

14. Last movie you watched? “Maid in Manhattan”.

15. Favorite Day of the year? Any day that doesn’t involve a crapload of stress or bull$hit!

16. What do you do to vent anger? Write. Cry. Or both.

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? See #4.

18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Spring. New life, Spring Cleaning… @@

19. Hugs or kisses? Depends who they’re from!

20. What kind of pie? Don’t really like pie. But I can make ‘em pretty good!

21. Do you want your friends to email you back? No. I so thoroughly enjoy writing emails so they can be ignored. Don’t you?

22. Who is most likely to respond? Me, myself or I.

23. Who is least likely to respond? Jimmy Hoffa.

24. Living arrangements? My guess is that my living was arranged by my parents? Am I close?

25. When was the last time you cried? Last night when T told me I had to finish my dinner in order to get dessert. I’ll have the same tantrum again tonight.

26. What is on the floor of your closet? How long have you got?

27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Haven’t decided who I’m going to torture tag just yet.

28. The friend you have known the shortest amount of time that you are sending this to? That’s easy–Paisley Goddess!

29. Favorite smell? My man, fresh from the shower! Mmm!

30. What inspires you? My insatiable desire to be Root, biotch! (Just for you, T!)

31. What are you afraid of? Bugs. But T found a cool way to help with that, a Bug Sucker! (It’s on my birthday wish list!)

32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? I love to be cheesy!

33. Favorite car? My Oldsmobile Intrigue. It was black, cool looking and fast!

34. Favorite cat breed? The kind that says, “Meow.”

35. Number of keys on your key ring? 3? 4? 5?

36. How many years at your current job? I’ve been a “Domestic Goddess” since I was 18. Before that, I was in training.

37. Favorite day of the week? Friday. Goes back to the days of school and waiting for the weekend.

38. How many provinces have you lived in? Who me?

39. How many countries have you been to? Does the one I live in count?

I am going to tag:
Judy, Ash, Kelly and Jill.

As always, you do not have to participate, the choice is yours.

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And now Ash’s Fridge Meme. The deal is you must post a photo of the front of your refrigerator without cleaning it off first! (Oh, joy!)

My friend Donna from Cold Coffee…and reruns posted the other day about a site that has become my absolute favorite hang out these days –cre8Buzz– and I thought it was a great idea! Please visit Donna and read her post on cre8Buzz, “Be seen… be heard… be found.”

cre8Buzz is a social networking site that allows you to “be seen… be heard… be found” while having a helluva lot of fun! Like Donna, I have met some of the absolutely coolest people there–and discovered a plethora of excellent blogs!

Are you a member of cre8Buzz? If so, please visit my page and Donna’s and say hello! If you’re not, go check it out and see what you’ve been missing! Hope to see you soon!