Backwards Haircut!

Here kitty kitty.... Tips on finding a LOST PET.

Dear Universe, Can a woman catch a break???

Last Saturday, our back door was left open, on accident, and one of our cats got out. It was predicted to be a very cold and rainy Sunday, so our family spent hours walking around the neighborhood looking for our little boy, Hyde, before the rain hit.

After the rain, we started our search. I thought I'd post this information here, so that you could use these tips if you are ever in this situation:

• Put up Signs. This is obvious, but it's a good reminder to have a PHOTO of your pet as that will really help people identify if the cat they found, is yours. 
• Walk around your neighborhood with a photo/poster of your pet. Most neighborhoods have people that go on regular walks. These people can really help in your search, without going out of their way. Also spread the word through your local community by email and photo calls, if you have that information available.
• Call your property management (HOA). Sometimes people will contact the neighborhood Property Management or HOA if they find a pet. Also, if the Property Management has an email or phone list, they may be willing to share that information to help with your search. 
• Craigslist Lost and Found. Post, with a photo, about your missing pet. Start thinking about all the things people might do if they find a lost pet. It's also important to look at posts of FOUND pets too. 
• Petfinders.com:  The link takes you directly to the "classifieds" section, which will allow you to search and post information about your missing pet. 
• Go to the animal shelter in your local area. The animal shelters (in California) will only accept pets found in their local area. This is good because that means you only have to go to one shelter. When you go, bring a photo of your pet and make sure you talk to the people that work there. At our Animal Shelter (in Mission Viejo), they took down our information in a binder so that if someone calls in that they found a pet, but they do not want to bring it into the Animal Shelter, the Shelter will have your information to get you in contact with the person who may have found your pet. 
• If you still can't find your pet, here are some sites that could help: www.missiongpetads.com, www.findtoto.com. 

We went through all of these steps (plus lots of tears) and still had no word on Hyde for 5 nights. I had pretty much given up hope to find my boy. 

Then, on Wednesday night, guess who decided to finally come home (on his own)!!!! He was outside meowing and Derrick and Martin ran out to see if it was him and it WAS!! Martin was thrilled to bring him upstairs to show me. I'm so happy to have my boy back and he's getting lots of love, attention... and food!

Happy Birthday Derrick!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DERRICK JONES!!!!!!!

This is the 8th birthday we've spent together and I want you to know that celebrating you is one of my favorite things to do!!

"He was like, cool, smooth, 

educated and advance in the charming department. 

Beyond his success, 

but, strong from his success....

and he never make me dumb down a conversation, 

no, he is just as stimulated and challenged, 

so what he have here, my dear, 

is a beautiful balance."

- Mental Love 2005 by Trisha Farkas (Jones)

Justice for Trayvon Martin

Why This Is Important (written by Trayvon's mom, Sybrina Fulton)

On February 26, our son Trayvon Martin was shot and killed as he walked to a family member's home from a convenience store where he had just bought some candy. He was only 17 years-old. 

Trayvon's killer, George Zimmerman, admitted to police that he shot Trayvon in the chest. Zimmerman, the community's self appointed "neighborhood watch leader," called the police to report a suspicious person when he saw Travyon, a young black man, walking from the store. But Zimmerman still hasn't been charged for murdering my son. 

Trayvon was our hero. At the age 9, Trayvon pulled his father from a burning kitchen, saving his life. He loved sports and horseback riding. At only 17 he had a bright future ahead of him with dreams of attending college and becoming an aviation mechanic. Now that’s all gone.

When Zimmerman reported Trayvon to the police, they told him not to confront him. But he did anyway. All we know about what happened next is that our 17 year-old son, who was completely unarmed, was shot and killed.

It's been nearly two weeks and the Sanford Police have refused to arrest George Zimmerman. In their public statements, they even go so far as to stand up for the killer - saying he's "a college grad" who took a class in criminal justice.

Please join us in calling on Norman Wolfinger, Florida's 18th District State's Attorney, to investigate my son's murder and prosecute George Zimmerman for the shooting and killing of Trayvon Martin.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to sign the petition to bring justice to Trayvon's killer!!

Everybody Love Me!

With presents unwrapped and lots of cake and ice cream consumed, we ended Martin's 6th Birthday with a family dance party!!

and if you ask him nicely, he will teach YOU how to Dougie....

Pedal To the Metal

Since Martin will be turning 6 on Friday, I thought I'd let him have a little taste of what his birthday could be like, a decade from now... He said, "Mom, I need your glasses and let me push the pedals."

and away we went....

please let this next decade go by very slowly!

Wordless Wednesdays...

Poor neglected blog...

It's been a busy 2012 for the Jones's! With so much going on, I neglected my sweet blog.

Don't you fear though... I will begin posting again very soon AS well as continuing to blog again at Parentingoc.com.

Hugs for all!!!

How we spend our winter mornings in Southern California

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Martin programmed the keyboard, then called me over to serenade me with this original song.

I LOVE MY LITTLE VALENTINE!!!

Derrick visits D.C.

I have been to Washington DC 5 time now.  But I knew this trip would be different.  I first went to DC when I was Sixteen at a 10^th Grader in a political group call Junior Statesmen’s of American…but the most memorable time was when I took my now Sixteen year old to DC and we  got a chance to visit the monuments and The White House.  The fact the we have an African American in the office was not lost on us.

But on this  trip to Washington DC I knew I was going to see the newest monument in Washington DC.  It came with much conversation, weather, dedication by CNN and fanfare.  The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial.

Before I went there I had to go to the steps of the Lincoln Monument and stand on the steps where MLK delivered the..”I have a Dream Speech”.. (I never noticed before but there is a small 6x6 inch gold plate that tells you where exactly he stood during the speech).  So after I look out onto The Mall

I image 500,000 people in front of me and am amazed all over again of what he accomplished and how his words live on, even to my Six year-old.

So off I go to see MLK.  Side note as anyone who knows me well, I couldn’t find a spot so I parked illegally assuming I wouldn’t get a ticket because I’m Derrick Jones and my intentions were admirable.

The sky was so blue, weather so perfect and the breeze coming off the Potomac River took my breath away.  Walk between these two mountain shape was the beginning of my journey while I read quote after quote from the most famous leader of the Civil Rights Movement.  There were all kinds of people visiting it that day.  But the young people there I really took notice to.  They were taking pictures and reading along with everyone else but wondered if they would take the time to not only know “The Speech”, but the man.  The boy from Atlanta who graduated High School at Sixteen, who was a beloved preacher, Father, Husband and great friend!

I stood in front of the statue and took picture, like the other tourist, smiling ear to ear thinking I have a “Martin” in my life always  and with a “Malcolm” as well, these names, synonymous with bravery and vision how lucky we are that Martin Luther King Jr.  DREAMED BIG, the world listened and made it a reality.

Whomever said a picture is worth a Thousand Words…if you go see the MLK Memorial, you will agree with  them.