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The purpose of being here on Kaboodle.com is to network with friends past/present
and to forge new lasting relationships;especially for business.
My name is Cassandra A. Ivory, I am the founder and writer behind Ivory's Classic Greeting Cards,
a business I'm into starting because of my passion for writing poems and lyrics.
If you want to know more about me visit www.myspace.com/IvoryInc.

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Blog: Single Mothers Can Teach a Boy
How to Be a Man

I never thought it could happen to me. Due to foul circumstances and picking the wrong mate, I am now part of the growing number of single women...See more » The purpose of being here on Kaboodle.com is to network with friends past/present
and to forge new lasting relationships;especially for business.
My name is Cassandra A. Ivory, I am the founder and writer behind Ivory's Classic Greeting Cards,
a business I'm into starting because of my passion for writing poems and lyrics.
If you want to know more about me visit www.myspace.com/IvoryInc.

*************************

Blog: Single Mothers Can Teach a Boy
How to Be a Man

I never thought it could happen to me. Due to foul circumstances and picking the wrong mate, I am now part of the growing number of single women raising male children. Not only does this lifestyle consist of me rearing male children but also teaching them how to be good men. Yes, I said it! I am teaching my two boys how to become productive, caring, loving, individuals for society as well as for their future mates. When I hear, someone say, “A woman can’t teach a male child how to be a man. Only a man can.” It sounds quite insulting, and feels as if someone slapped me in the face. Are they saying all the time, energy, and sacrifices that I have made and still making for my children are in vain?

We know how powerful words are and what affect the wrong words can have on people. I have heard it been said numerous of times from men pastors to laymen, openly, freely, and with conviction that women cannot teach a boy how to be a man. Many women have convinced themselves that this is true because they are saying the same thing. This is one of the biggest lies and myths ever told by man. I am living proof that a woman can teach a boy not only how to be a man but also how to be the kind of man that every woman desires.

I can teach my sons when and how to give good advice and accept criticism. I can teach them how to inspire themselves and never look for others to make them happy. I can teach them how to protect themselves and those they love from physical harm and dangers. They will know that a man is supposed to be the head over his household and work hard to take care of his family.

Biblically speaking, God never intended for anyone to live alone {Genesis 2:20-24}.
Sometimes, things just happen; divorce, death, separation, illness or just,” I hate you! I don’t know what I saw in you to begin with anyway.” When someone says to a single, female, parent, rearing children of the opposite sex, “A woman can’t teach a male child how to be a man. Only a man can.” What are they really saying? Inquiring minds want to know. Playing the role of mother and father is something I would not even wish on an enemy.

The Nuclear family is near extinction. I still feel that I am one of the lucky ones though. I am surviving and managing without a man around. It was never part of my plan, nor have I ever had desires to raise my children without a father figure around.
Moreover, I do think it would be very foolish of me to wait on God to send me a man to help raise my boys, knowing that I have been primed and prepped for this position long before I realized it.

I taught my sons how to pray, they know the importance of going to church, reading the bible and obeying The Ten Commandments {Exodus 20}.
They know to wash their hands before, and after they eat, cover their mouth when they cough. I taught them how to stand up and use the toilet, how to the raise the toilet seat when they go and why to put it down when they are finish. They know to wash their hands after they use the bathroom. I taught them how to bless their food before eating it, how to say thank you, how to say yes and please. I taught them how to dress and comb their hair, how to cook, clean and blow their noses. They know to speak to people when they walk past them. They know that the use of foul language is bad. They know the importance of voting, getting an education, telling the truth, and controlling their anger. They know that too much of a good thing is not always good for you. They know drinking too much alcohol, and smoking cigarettes is bad for your health. They know that some drugs help people. They know never look for or buy drugs off the streets. They know marijuana is an illegal drug, unless a doctor prescribed it. They know the choices they make today can last a lifetime. They know they should open doors for women and always offer a chair to an old person or someone who is handicapped. They know about sex and the difference between good touching and bad touching. Thanks to the Los Angeles Unified School District sex education classes, my eldest son now knows how babies are born. They know not to make a baby, unless they are ready to take care of it. They know it is better to wait until they are married before having sex. They know that running around sleeping with different women, could lead to catching some terrible diseases and possibly losing some valuable body parts. They know the meaning of sharing and giving to those who are less fortunate. I taught them how to fish, bowl, play board games, save money, and shop for food. When they get a little scared of bugs that get into the house, I say to them, “Hey! Be a man and kill the darn thing! Most importantly, they know, no matter what age they are, there will always be rules and regulations around to follow. They know wisdom, integrity, and respect can get you a long way. They know to ask for help when they need it. They know to work hard for what they want; and sometimes when you work hard, you still don’t get what you want. They know that when you ain’t looking for trouble, sometimes, trouble comes looking for you. They know to take care of home first. They know just because people love each other, does not mean they can live together. They know they can always come and talk to me whenever they have a problem. They know that I will always love them no matter what. They know to never take love for granted, follow their hearts, dreams, and never waste time doing “nothing” {Proverbs 6:16-23}.

Now you see why I do not get it, when people say, “A woman can’t teach a male child how to be a man. Only a man can.” So far, the important, things my children need to know on how to be a man, they are learning from me {Proverbs 31:10-31}.

Now, all of you who still believe that only a man can teach a male child how to be a man; Let us give the credit to where credit is due. God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. A female raising a male child is one thing. A female teaching a male child how to be a good man and succeeding at it, is something quite extraordinary.

To all you single moms raising and teaching boys, how to men and you single dads raising and teaching girls how to be women, I know it’s hard but hang in there, don’t give up. Remember: for many called, but few chosen to do what we do
{Matthew 20: 16}.

-Cassandra A. Ivory


Songs: Boyz 2 Men “A Song For Mama”
Raheem Devaughn “Woman”
TuPac “Dear Mama”

Favorite Bible Verses: 2 Chronicles 7:14
Matthew 19:26

Cassandra A. Ivory wrote this blog on 4/12/08.

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Poem: I Am Proud To Be An American

Some days are so cold right outside my door.
When the wind blows, it lets me know
There is a new life beginning somewhere.

I am walking down the street.
These people are looking at me.
They are my neighbors.
Even though we do not look the same,
I can still feel their pain.
Even though we speak different languages,
I still know what they say,
When they smile then turn away.

This is the land of opportunity.
One big melting pot: where nobody knows your name,
However, you love it here just the same.
This is where you hope to find peace, somewhere across the land.

I am proud to be an American.
I am in a place where freedom surrounds me.
I am proud to be an American.
One nation under God.
I am proud to be an American.
I have come too far and been here too long to leave.
I am an American and America is me.

I might cry and call you hateful names.
When you cause me pain and misery.
I might even try to run away, hide, or live a lie,
To get away from the filth and the shame.
You somehow find me, and embrace me with your love.
You gracefully remind me, that we are and always will be one nation under God.

It warms my heart when I hear laughter,
Underneath the sun and the moon.
As sure, as tomorrow, bring on a new day.
All hope somehow is renewed.

Cassandra A. Ivory
Copyright © 2008 by Cassandra A. Ivory

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More Elections Coming Up

There are important if not crucial voting days for the presidential candidates and the people of this nation coming up. I have received many emails from people asking me why I like Obama so much. Obama and I are in the same generation. He can relate to me. This man’s mentality is far beyond his years. He is looking way into the future! I respect him dearly because he is smart and he knows what’s going on. He has captured the attention of people of all ages and color. In general, he cares about the affairs of this nation and the people of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Why vote for Obama? He deserves a chance, an honest chance. Too much damage has already been done! “For real change to happen, you must first recognize the need for change.”

Hillary Clinton had her chance. Technically, she has not left the White House since her husband served his term. We do not need a person with 35 years of experience. Her views and opinions are as tired as she is. Hillary’s main concern is and will always be about the war she help started. Her husband disgraced the nation by cheating on her….Twice! Yes, she has forgiven him and moved on. Now she expects the nation to do the same. Give me a break! Her husband is old, gray, and has had open-heart surgery. Those good times are probably over for him anyway. Hillary is like a good boss gone badly. She will continue to pay people to do her dirty work, and then lie to cover up her mistakes. I do not trust her. As far as I am concerned, the middle-class was demolished during her husband’s time in the White House not George Bush’s times as she claims.

Mr. McCain. I wonder if he and George Bush are related. McCain is war hero on the verge of a mental breakdown. Look at him! He should be somewhere relaxing, enjoying his senior livelihood with his children, grandchildren, and wife, who is by the way a recovering addict. It is a crying shame that anybody even voted for this guy! Like he and millions of other senior citizens, they will have to continue to work, long into their retirement years to keep up with today’s economy. Wake up America! If this were my grandfather, I would be worrying sick about him. He is too old and wounded to be worried about the cares of this nation. It is time for him to pass the torch to a much, much, much, younger warrior.

Finally yet importantly Barack Obama, a young, educated, strong, black family man with morals, who looks and sound mentally stable, listen to what he says about the war. He knows what’s going on. Obama is a man many can relate to, a man with integrity. Obama is about business. He means change. The kind of change we can hope to see and believe.


-Cassandra A. Ivory, Democrat 03/04/2008
Cassandra A. Ivory edited this blog on 3/8/08


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