I like children and people. The people I have problems with are usually ones with bad attitudes and have not been taught proper manners or respect.

I was taught while growing up not to walk through another person’s yard. It was considered rude, and by law – trespassing. Why would someone mow or plant flowers when someone is going to trample through the yard that has no sidewalk.

I know there are a lot of people who have yards and do not care, but for those who carefully cultivate their grass and flowers, trespassers push the peeve button. I had an argument with a grown woman who trekked through my yard instead of the alley. Where she walked was between the bushes and my house, only inches from my window.

For me, when I am home, I do not want people peeking or walking that close. It bothers me as I do not know who is walking through, what they want, and if they might be a problem later on. I had told her to stay out of my yard and explained why she should not be walking in another person’s property – other than it being just plain rude.

I do not go catching people because I am bored. It is pretty obvious when I can hear them. I may live in a small town, but I have been robbed before when living in a big city – it is something that triggers my fears.

Other than the woman, I have also had teenagers walk through. It was not fun dealing with them and because they were very threatening, I decided to just remind them that the police station was less than 5 blocks away and it would be certain that if I called, their parents would hear about it.

However, then I thought – maybe their parents are not teaching them proper manners? My own son is taught not to just walk through strangers’ yards. I was taught by my father and my grandparents. I have even had the opportunity to care for the lawn when I was a teen. I even helped my father with gardening – we had been featured on the front of the Lifestyles section of the Belleville News-Democrat at one time because our backyard was amazing (and not a single part was landscaped by an outside business.)

Anyhow, fencing my yard is not an option. I have thought about putting flowers in the areas people are trying to cut through. In fact, there is a lot of things I have to do to the yard, but I feel that it would not last if people are being rude and stepping through like they owned the place.

Am I being extreme when I happen to catch people walking through my yard? Any suggestions to prevent this in the future?

For years I have been aware of COPPA and have seen a lot of websites change their policy so that only children under the age of 14 cannot register to use a site.

When I became a mother, I decides when my son was old enough to become curious about using the Internet, I would be there to guide him. It was when he was 5 years old, that he became interested in Webkins and games. Since then, I have made it my business to be there to see his Internet usage.

However, he is lucky I care. Recently, I talked to a gal on Facebook who said she was 12 and her mother was not even at the computer monitoring her activity. For me, I was going to brush it off as an online cop in disguise, but after some of her messages, I did believe she was 12.

I have been witness to listening on accident on teens going online and viewing things that they should have not. Regardless, even if Yahoo: Child Safety a Company Priority, children are still going online, even on Yahoo! It is easy to sign up and forge information.

What can I do? Probably nothing except post this blog. I hope parents are taking a more active role on their children’s Internet usage. My younger sister (middle one – I have 2 younger sisters) as a teen use to sneak online and conduct cybersex chat over Yahoo! Considering my father’s schedule with the military, I ended up dishing out the punishment by banning her from chat rooms and at that time, Cheetah Chat. (this was in the late 90s.)

Are you monitoring your children? Are you speaking to younger mothers on how important it is to watch their children even online?

My son is playing basketball this year for the first time. Although the league in his age category does not take scores, his team was great and made more hoops. The league emphasizes on really basic rules and at least teaching the kids to get the ball moving down the court. He is the third tallest on the team, and I think his team got the best color. It might be the fact I am a Spurs fan.

Angel playing basketball

Angel running to his position

More basketball pics

Title for my car

Just short of three years, I finally paid off my car. It was not easy. Before my Impala, I owned several cheap cars, but nothing as good as what I have now. I use to own a 1991 Chevy Geo Metro, a 1989 Chevy Celebrity (was given to ex-husband), and a 1997 Chevy Geo Metro. All of which have either been sold or given away. My first car, the 1991 Chevy Geo Metro was actually given to me by my parents, so it never felt like an accomplishment. It feels good to at least own something to my name, that I paid for, and not have to pay for it anymore.

It has not been very easy since my divorce. After almost being married 5 years, it was hard to adjust. It was hard enough to financially support myself at first. However, I am hoping with things like this, things go a lot better. I can show my son my own accomplishments and instill the lessons I have learned so he can be prepared when it comes time for him to be a responsible adult.

Although I feel accomplished, I am still humbled. I am reminded of when I was younger and it was hard to afford anything. My own father worked hard and today it has paid off for him. I strive to do that as I want him to be proud even though I am an adult and a mother myself now. I know he already is, but in doing so returns the favor he did in teaching me the value of responsibility.

Do you have any accomplishments you are really proud of?