Gold for the poor .... Olympics 2012

As i sit in aw at many of the talented athletes I have to say at what price did that come. Many families sacrificing time and money. Some from countries which are very poor. The sacrifice for the mom now working two jobs for the training to see her son or daughter now in the Olympics game. Then lets hit the tax payer you and me, our families and parents many of us watch every penny that we spend, many have no pennies to spend we wait for that pay check to come to buy food. Such is the life for many pensioner. So when Olympics 2012 is done who will help make sure that the normal person does not have to go without, even more, the price of gold comes at a price. Let's hope for many there is a balance and not just those receiving Gold on a platform, benefit from Olympics 2012 and the many other Olympics games to come. Please have a cup of tea with me today.

London the world is watching you.

Wow and wow we Brits know how to have a laugh and put on a show. That show being the opening ceremony to the London 2012 Olympics summer games. I watched the show as my England performed. I loved Mr. Bean and the children dancing on the beds, wow the NHS staff rocks with their dancing skills and the young lady who danced Jasmine Breinburg was brilliant. Although the production was brilliant I will have to ask wow how much did that cost? The question my friend and I have is what does that all have to do with sports and one has to ask when all this is said and done what will be the end cost and how many jobs will come to the UK because of the Olympics? I know the economy is bad so I question when the pomp and ceremony is over will there be new jobs to put food on the table for the Brits out of work and will the old age pensioner get any more money? Is the flame just for the few chosen and not for those who really carry a flame in the fact that each day many try to make ends meet. Yes London the world in watching not just the Olympics but many are watching to see if your flame will put more money in their mothers pockets as she struggles to make ends meet.

Yes London I am watching you. Please have a cup of tea with me today.

Think before you pray!!

In the last few years I have thought many times that I prayed. But I wonder today did I? We ask God to help and then walk away. We say prayers like they are water gushing out of a tap. But where is the life in those prayers? What does your life say about who you are?Is it in a prayer to get praise from others? The Pharisees in Jesus's time said many prayers but they did not see that, that was all they did there was no evidence of life in them. They thought they were better than anyone else. I don't believe I am any better than anyone else. But I do think I have often not listened to God. When my brother died it was a very tough time. Today I see that God has shown me so much in his death and though I miss Scott, I am so blessed by the things I have learnt. Compassion, just to listen and just to know that sometimes a few words are all what people are looking for. Hope community church in Raleigh has an amazing Pastor Mike Lee if you have a little time take the time to listen to the sermons on prayer it might well may you think that when you pray you are not so alone. So think not just before you speak but before you pray. Please have a cup of tea with me today. http://www.gethope.net/past-messages

My sister

Sisters you love them and hate them maybe allin the same day. My sister is seven years older than me, my brother was in between us and through it all,I love her. Her and I shared a room, made Christmas decorations and sang yes, Barry Manilow songs together. We went to the same schools and she liked many things that I did not. But through life's ups and downs I am thankful that I have her. When my brother died I felt it was just me and her. My world,became so much closer to her, even though I am 3000 miles from her my heart was with her. I am thankful for the many memories and thankful that through it all. I have her. I ask that you take a moment to think of the good in your family and be thankful for them. Please have a cup of tea with me today.

Go for gold this summer and give.

As the Olympics in London fast approaches and I am sad to not be there. I ask you all who read this what will your gold be this year? Will it be making more money, buying a bigger house or what? Gold is not always seen in a medal it is seen in the many hours it has taken to achieve that place where a person can compete for a chance to represent their country. Sacrificing time, pleasures and much more to do something they believe. As I sit here head pounding and teeth aching wanting to be home in London this summer I ask myself that question what is my gold that I would want. My mother has hardly anything, so my gold would be to see her with food on the table,bills paid. To see many single mum's have a break, pressure taken off their shoulders. If I had a medal to give it would be them.The many children who have gone through sad times losing relatives or through divorce. Sacrifice to many is a daily thing and to others is never thought about. What is the medal you are wearing one of greed or one of sacrifice? Go for Gold this summer and give to others and see what a winner you will be.

Plight of a single Mum...Career day...in your forties.

The trials of been a single mum are numerous. Finding a job is one of these. I have stood stammering over words to try and make cleaning up sick, making beds and helping with maths homework sound like I have been a nurse/doctor, housekeeper and account to name just a few with employee's looking back at me asking me what is that you want to apply for!!!! Hmmm a question i often wonder myself. It is as if one is back at school listening to a career talk tuning it all out and saying to yourself it will be ages before I leave school yet here you are in your forties doing the same. Let me encourage you that been a mum for many years has value and it's ok to take your time to find your way again. The issue is many of us don't have time. My advice is pray..I often forget that but it is true some how I believe that is all God wants us to do to show us an open door. Please have a cup of tea with me today. And single Mum don't give up your wonderful just the way you are.

The plight of my single mumhood ... No you cannot leave the country with your children... AHHH

I have decided for a little while at least to write about some of my plights of been a single mum in America. I sat across the table from a woman who clearly told me "you cannot leave the USA with your children, unless your ex agrees to it, and he has to live close enough to see them." My heart sank, I came back to the States so that my ex's parents could be involved with our children, well that did not happen. They live six hours from us. Now my 3,000 miles seamed even more. I sat saying how unfair that was and then walked out in tears. That was over two years ago. Since then I have cried many a tear missing home. But as they say "there is no good in crying over spilt milk". I wished there was a magic wand and I could see my mum. So we brought a skype camera and got to see my niece and sister in London at least, my mum still thinks skype is a fish... poor mum. What did I take from that day when this very official nice lady told me that I could not go home with my now family of three oh must not forget the two four legged friends. Well I learnt that I have tell myself that I am going to live in England again it's just not for now. That I have to study and make away that I can at least fly home one day.That's not been easy... but that's another post. Also I have been quite naive about a lot of things. It's a tough road and you have to brace yourself for it.Like walking in a storm. So yes I am here but like many birds who fly south for winter I am building up my strength to fly home one day. This old bird is not to old to learn.

Please have a cup of tea with me today.