The Money Challenge

As we enter the joyous season of Christmas and all the holiday festivities that go along with the celebration, I want to challenge each of you in the area of your finances. I know some of you are already formulating your resolutions so that 2011 can be a bigger better year for you and your families, so this challenge is a winner. Oh, it is also really easy too. I got this from my cousin and fellow blogger, Toot! Shout out to her! Hey! She
borrowed the idea from one of her YouTube subscribers. I know you all know that I am brilliant but I can't take credit for this wonderful idea.

Here's how it works. On the first week you save $1. No, that wasn't a typo, you only need to save $1. The second week you save $2. The third week $3. Do you see the pattern yet?  The amount of money being saved coincides with the week that you are saving it.  So for the first say month  or so, you are putting away less money than one cup of some fancy smancy Starbucks concoction. At the most, $52 is what you will sacrifice, I'm not sure if you can actually visualize the savings, but at the end of the challenge you'll have over $1300. Just think if you start now, you will have a lovely amount of cash with which to spend on Christmas gifts. I think you might even still be able to reach it just in time to hang out with the masses at the Black Friday mass chaos sales. If that isn't your thing, you can have a great amount to go on a mice trip. or you can save it and start all over again. We aren't talking financial freedom here but.....if you play your cards right and say, open an interest bearing account into which you deposit your money whenever it reaches say $50, you will have a nice chunk of change to play with. What an accomplishment! You will thank me later! So what do you say? Are you up to it? Let's get it then! Keep me posted on your progress. I am on week 3.

On a side note, I am typing this blog with a heavy heart. Today would have been my Daddy's 66th birthday.  I have all kinds of memories of him. I miss talking to him and I miss his cooking. That man could make his plate look better than everyone else's. He was a good confidante and he really was non-judgemental. Every now I then, I could use his perspective on a bunch of things. RIP Gerald William Cole, Sr. AKA "Butch."  Anyhoo, I am ending now before I cry again. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Copyright by Pamela Cole Thorpe on November 23, 2010

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, sudden death of a child under age 1 in which an autopsy does not show an explainable cause of death. Another common name for SIDS is crib death. There are no symptoms. Babies who die of SIDS do not appear to suffer or struggle. The cause of SIDS is unknown, although there are several theories. Many doctors and researchers now believe that SIDS is not a single condition that is always caused by the same medical problems, but infant death caused by several different factors. These factors may include problems with sleep arousal or an inability to sense a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood. Almost all SIDS deaths occur without any warning or symptoms when the infant is thought to be sleeping. SIDS is most likely to occur between 2 and 4 months of age, and 90% occur by 6 months of age. It occurs more often in winter months, with the peak in January. There is also a greater rate of SIDS among Native and African Americans. SIDS affects boys more often than girls.

There are also other factors which can increase the risk of SIDS. The factors are as follows: Babies who sleep on their stomachs. Babies who are around cigarette smoke while in the womb or after being born. Babies who sleep in the same bed as their parents. Babies who have soft bedding in the crib. Multiple birth babies (being a twin, triplet, etc.). Premature babies. Babies who have a brother or sister who had SIDS. Mothers who smoke or use illegal drugs. Teen mothers. Short time period between pregnancies. Late or no prenatal care. Situations of poverty. SIDS remains a significant cause of death in infants under one year old. Thousands of babies die of SIDS in the United States each year.

Preventative measures for SIDS, includes putting infants to sleep on their backs, avoiding soft bedding material, and avoiding hot room temperatures. Babies should sleep in cribs with firm tight fitting mattresses free of pillows and comforters. The environment should be smoke free.

So why the need for a blog on SIDS? Well it is personal. On October 12, 2010, Julius Luciano Torres, our great nephew, was suddenly taken from his extremely loving parents and it was ruled that SIDS was the reason. Our hearts break for Tiffany and Dennis every day. Julius was so handsome(see pic below) and they only got to spend 4.5 months with him. So to pay honor to a beautiful but way to short life, I felt necessary to educate you. I don't know what the pain feels like for them but I know that being a parent causes you to step out of yourself and love another human being in a way that you can't even imagine till that bundle of comes into your life.

Dennis and Tiffany are young and they are deeply saddened with a pain many of us will never experience.  While we go on with our lives, they are still reeling and trying to handle their grief on a daily basis. Not a day goes by though that I don't utter a small prayer of comfort for them and ask God to give them what they need for that moment because each moment is a test of their fortitude. Sometimes that is what you need, strength for the moment which eventually will become hours, days, and weeks where God has carried you through those dark times. They already know that they can't deal with the holidays because their grief is too raw. In recognizing this, they have decided to give charitable donations in Julius' honor in lieu of gifts to their family members. If you are considering any donations before the year end or at any time, please consider Julius' Memorial Fund.

Julius Luciano Torres
May 30, 2010-October 12, 2010

Parents:
Tiffany and Dennis Torres
123 Shadow Ct. SW, Huntsville, AL 35824

Donations can be made online at: www.sids.org/online/index.html .
Or checks can be mailed to: American SIDS Institute,  528 Raven Way, Naples, Florida 34110

They will appreciate the gesture of kindness. Till next time, peace and blessings to each of you.

Copyright by Pamela Cole Thorpe on November 13, 2010

For Colored Girls

Rare is the opportunity for me to see a movie the very weekend that it comes out but I got to see this one. I had a date night with my husband. We went to see Tyler Perry's latest production, For Colored Girls. The movie was an adaptation of Ntozake Shange's, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, written in 1975. It was also a Broadway production in 1976. The subject matter was critically acclaimed and extremely successful in terms of its relevant content.


I read the book years ago, so I knew that the subject matter was deeply intense. I wondered how it would translate into film, especially at the hands of Tyler Perry. I like Tyler but I know I've said it before, the endings of his movies leave much to be desired. Seeing how he did not write this film, I was a bit excited. By all accounts, he put together a varied but talented cast to pull the movie off. The cast consisted of old and new actresses, male and females in various hues. Most importantly, he did not pen the film.


I liked the movie. It deals with some dark issues, so if you are looking to laugh, there will be few of those. Each woman in the film has an issue that she is dealing with and she also has a color assigned(for lack of a better word) to her. In each case, there is a man involved, some visible, some not. The story is still relevant today just in a different way. You do have to pay attention to the poetry which is weaved into the dialogue. It is done in an appropriate manner and it also clarifies some of the things going on in the film. SN: There were two women who exited the theater at the same time we did and were complaining about the use of poetry. I wanted to scream at their ignorance! The book itself is composed of poetry and prose so that is a no brainer! Let me reiterate that exposure is EVERYTHING!!!


I am not going to give aspects of the film away. I would encourage you to check out the book which is only about 80 pages in length so the movie really makes sense to you. If you don't read it, pay attention to the dialogue, especially when it switches to poetry. I am at odds with the fact that Janet Jackson's name appeared first in the opening of the film. Everyone else in the film was placed in alphabetical order. Is she supposed to be the star? I certainly don't think she is an actress of that caliber, nor do I think she deserved to be billed over  most of the seasoned actresses. (Y'all know TP must be hitting that A$$). Her acting was mediocre at best. Her over done red lipstick was killing me.


Some of the story lines are easier to follow than others. Others are also more captivating and easier to translate to film. For example, Whoopi's storyline is only made clear by listening to her argument with her daughter, played by Thandie Newton. I kept having Celie flashbacks during her monologue. If there is to be any discussion of awards, hands down, I think it should go to Kimberly Elise, followed by Anika Noni Rose. I had a discussion with my cousin about this and she disagreed but mainly because the movie felt choppy. After I explained why, she was in agreement with my assessment. Kimberly Elise has the most comprehensive role when you consider all that she is dealing with in the movie and she plays the complexities of the role quite flawlessly. I have long said that she is one of the most under-rated actresses of our time. Anika Noni Rose's performance is also spot on. It is her monologue which is painstakingly delivered to Hill Harper(who seems a bit aloof) which makes me realize that she has talent that we've not even begun to see. Macy Gray has a small role in the film, but it seems as if the role is tailor made for her. She has a knack for the offbeat, quirky, and dramatic. She doesn't disappoint.

I am not saying that the remaining actresses don't act well. For the most part they do. Loretta Devine's role is probably one of the lightest in the film and she delivers in making you laugh but still gives you something to think about(Take back your stuff!). Tessa Thompson, is a newcomer. I'd like to see where she will go from here. Thandie Newton has a varied resume so to me she was the wild card for the film. While tortured, her role might have been the most fun to execute. Phylicia Rashad paid a nosy matronly old bitty who holds things together. Do we expect anything less from Claire Huxtable? I think not. Kerry Washington is one of my favorites, unfortunately, I wasn't really feeling her in this role. Her relationship with Hill Harper doesn't come off as believable to me and her emotions don't ring true with what she is enduring through the film. What I do appreciate is how Tyler Perry connected all the women because you do start out wondering how they will all end up together. It is not a tidy neat little package but pain hurt, depression, and drama that draws the women in this story together.

So that is my generic take on the film. I want you to see it and share your opinion. I don't want to give away the film. I know many of my readers and I know they haven't yet had the opportunity to see the film. I am going to see it again with my girl, Sonja. I am sure she will have a wealth of opinions for me to consider that differ from my own. I hate when people ruin the good(or not so good stuff) for me so, I am holding back. Holla at me and tell me what you think. Are there going to be awards? for whom? Did Tyler Perry do justice to the film? I love a good debate or another train of thought. Till next time, think about the women in your life. They have all been through or will g through some drama in life that just might take them to the thought of suicide. Let's pray that there is a support system to draw them back and whisper new life into their situation!

Copyright by Pamela Cole Thorpe on November 11, 2010

About Suicide

In my neighborhood, there have been a number of teen suicides. The issue concerns me for many reasons. Most of the victims have been males under the age of 19. It saddens me that anyone finds their life in such a hopeless state that they would consider ending it. There are a number of statistics that I can give you but I am only going to share a few.


Over one million people commit suicide every year. The World Health Organization estimates that it is the thirteenth-leading cause of death worldwide. It is a leading cause of death among teenagers and adults under 35. There are an estimated 10 to 20 million non-fatal attempted suicides every year worldwide.


No one is immune to suicide and the long term impact it can have on a school or community. I had a conversation with my 12 year old and her attitude on the subject was rather cavalier and a little selfish too. It made me realize that sometimes children really don't have a grasp of the global impact of their actions. Suicide leaves a slew of grief stricken victims in its wake. Not only is the family hurt, but there are friends, teachers, and acquaintances who will be left with questions and various emotions to deal with.


If you are a teen or adult who feels such a state of despair, please talk to someone. Life is precious. The suicide hot line number is 1-800-273-8255. God has a plan for your life and in Him you can find hope, peace, and the answers to life's most pressing issues. I know it sounds so easy to say.  I don't take any one's plight lightly. Your perception is your reality. I just know, things can always be worse. They really can. I challenge you to take a chance and give life another opportunity. Taking a step to admit you need help, is a HUGE step to getting things right in your life. Right doesn't mean perfect. Despite how things appear, no person has a perfect life. Let me repeat, the suicide hot line number is 1-800-273-8255. Let someone bless you!

Copyright by Pamela Cole Thorpe on November 5, 2010

PSA

Today is Election Day! Big deal, right? Yeah, it is a big deal, especially if you are an African American or a woman. People fought, bled, and even died for you to exercise that right. You can't complain about the shituation if you don't let your own voice be heard. I understand the complacent attitudes...it takes way too long to see change in the political arena. I agree. What we need to be seeking is term limits for both Senate and Congress. I think twelve years is enough for all of them. It would alleviate a climate of not getting anything done. Ahh, but I digress...probably a future blog but surely, you are all sick of stopping progress for the sake of being contentious(i.e. the President is of a different political affiliation). So anyhoo, I am imploring you to go to the polls and let your voice be heard. We may not agree politically but it is still important. So that's it. I have no more to say! ROCK THE VOTE!