Every day is a learning experience.

This past week has been a busy one for me. I’m a full time nontraditional student with a full time job and two part-time jobs just to make ends meet.  My weekends consist of working on customers’ credit applications for a mortgage company, detailing cars and cutting grass in this heat, along with studying and doing homework. I had a meeting at the Small Business Administration (SBA), during the week,  to help with my business. They gave me some information that could assist me. I found that there are a lot of programs that could finance some improvement in your business if you ask the write questions. I recommend that all of you who want to enhance a business make an appointment with the local SBA and/or the local procurement center. The SBA does not make loans directly to small businesses but does help to educate and prepare the business owner to apply for a loan through a financial institution or bank. The SBA then acts as a guarantor on the bank loan. In some circumstances it also helps to procure loans to victims of natural disasters, works to get government procurement contracts for small businesses, and assists businesses with management, technical and training issues. LSUS also has a small business development center that may be able to help. I am looking forward to working a little smarter and less hard. I received some vital information for me to obtain a government contract. I thought I would share this , it may benefit some of you or remind others.  

It’s family night “my time to cook”

I’m about to cook a lasagna with some corn on the cob, and garlic bread. I thought I would go ahead with my post before I get away from the computer and forget to blog.

My grandmother did one on one cooking instructions with me when I was little. I think everyone should learn how to cook. Not everyone needs to become a chef, but knowing the basics is must.

When we cook, we save money and we eat healthier. Also, we never know in what kind of situation we are going to find ourselves. And since we all have to eat, it just seems logical that knowing a little bit about cooking will come in handy sometimes in life. This is also a good time to hang out with family and even get kids in the kitchen for some one on one.

So go into the kitchen and start with simple things. Scramble an egg, or cook some pasta; make some mashed potatoes or steam some vegetable. If the food does not taste as good the first or second time, it is ok, you are learning, keep trying. You will find, before you know it, you are having a dinner party.

I don’t know where I heard this, but I think some of you may have heard this before”some people eat to live and some live to eat,” I live to eat.

Getting educated and fit at a young age

Thirty-three percent (33%) of Shreveport youth participated in organized sports last year, compared with 85 to 90 percent of children in the suburbs, according to a 2010 State University report, there are 46,000 children in the Shreveport, La area schools between the ages of pre-kindergarten to 12th according to Caddo parish schools web site. In contrast to the city area, the suburbs have a full array of youth sports with strong financial support. This late start for urban children, in organized sports robs them of the opportunity for physical activity, coaching, being part of a team, learning skills, and substantial time away from "negative recreation" (drugs, violence or sexual activities).



Clinical studies also show that sports and recreation programs can help youth establish lifelong, healthy, physical activity patterns. Regular physical activity can ward off life-threatening diseases; reduce feelings of depression and anxiety; help control weight and obesity; and build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints, according to the President's Council on Physical Fitness.


The children in the city's core must have the opportunity for a successful start in education and sport regardless of age, race, gender, family composition, income or community.