Dee

Theres no question about it. John Denver is the man. I can also mellow out with Sweet Baby James Taylor on a lazy day too.

God Love your Dad Ed and Peg. Bless you both for taking care of him. Your in our thoughts and prayers always. Annie and Mike

I am just dropping in to say howdy and I miss you all. We are still working on the house trying to get more insulation up before winter sets in. We have had a few mighty cold mornings and this house has been freezing but I refuse to turn on the heat. The local electric company wants to raise the prices of gas and electric this year which will bring the bill higher during the winter. Last year at Christmas time we had 70 degree weather. I hope it goes like that this winter with the exception of Christmas Eve and Day. A nice covering of snowfall would be nice for those two days at least. When this house was built the fireplace was put in the middle of the house between the dining room, kitchen and living room. We had the chimmey sweeps and inspectors here to check it out and its not feasible to have a fire in the fireplace unless some of the fireplace is rebuilt so we have decided we are going to move it to an outside wall next year. We are taking pictures of the house which we got as is and what we are doing to it now with remodeling. I hope to get a scanner soon to send you all the pix here so you can see how our construction is going. I will take a few mins to browse around here and then its back to work. I am also in the middle of some heavy duty canning of apple sauces apple and pumpkin pies to be frozen and grape juices and jams besides winter veggies and making pumpkin and zucchini anything recipes. Heres for a nice day to you all and lots of hugs. Snowmom I owe you an email.

Sorry about your friend Hilly and I would be glad to make her an ornament. I am getting excited how about everyone else?

I totally agree with you lowlander in all aspects of your post and the fox hunting has been an institution of the ages in Britain. As for Tony Blair hanging onto George Bushes Coattails I have no idea what attraction Blair sees in Bush. Bush is a warmonger and a manipulator who since 9-11 has used the fear factor of terrorist attacks as a way to manipulate the American Public. I am not saying that we shouldn't be vigilant in regards to our safety but by God I am tired of our kids being scared out of their wits that our country will get attacked again. Bush and his boys are provoking fear in the hearts and minds of our children and adults, I don't like it. It is traumatizing our kids to the point where they have a fear of everything and they are just kids so you can imagine how the adults feel. Bush conveys a double standard when he tells us to go about our daily normal lives then in the next breath he and his spindoctors put the country on high alert and tell us to be mindful of suspicious activity. This government is so screwed up over here and their fighting , bickering and power struggles among the parties are a disgrace. All these politicians care about is lining their pockets with the almighty dollar. I better get off my soapbox here too. This country is becoming the epitome of George Orwells 1984's Big Brother Watching Everyone because of George Bush.

Hi DeltaMorning, Its great to have you here. Welcome and make yourself right at home. Annie

Glad to hear your all right lowlander. HUGS

Has anyone read this book? I saw the mini series and it was very good. If you have read it was it similar to the made for tv movie.

Hillie it sounds as if you are a very level headed person and It sounds as if things will work out for you and your family. Does the school have any activities that your daughter might be interested in? How about 4H and Girl Scouts? Also in cities and towns alot of organizations such such as cultural centers for ballet, arts and music are always looking for volunteers to help at concerts which is a good thing because you can get into the concerts for free just by volunteering. Also some of these places take children who can't afford the prices of lessons but have an interest in the art such as ballet and teach them for free. They even provide the outfits free of charge. Its kept very private. Working on sets for plays and local events such as the Opera would give the chance for your daughter to meet alot of kids who also volunteer. She can Candy Stripe at a local hospital, Volunteer at the local planetarium, Take band or orchestra in school - the school provides the instrument the kids learn on. There is also Art Clubs and School Newspaper Clubs and other clubs that schools have. What are her interests? Ask her? There is so much she can learn and experience for free that may even help her growing up process. Does she have her own horse? Does she ride Horses? Is she interested in going to Camp? How about Space Camp for kids. Thats always an option and she can meet kids from all over the country and have a great time. There are many many scholarships out there that will pay her way if she really wants to try her dreams. Its finding out what her dream is first thats important. Let me know how you make out. I know many many people all over the country and may be able to help you in some capacity. Maybe if she is doing something she likes it just might pull her out of her funk. Always encourage her to dream too. No dream is to big or to small for it not to come true. Its when we stop dreaming that we find ourselves in trouble.

I have a shihtzu pup name Samuel Clemmons aka Mark Twain ( on his papers)and he is a lovable, Snugglin, stubborn, kissy pup who thinks he is a person. One of these days I expect for him to talk back to me when I am speaking to him. Of course we treat him as a human..LOL,

I see the golden and crimson leaves falling in my backyard. The small adventurous brothers from down the mountain are out exploring the woods today and I watch them with their make shift tree branch fishing poles, bib jeans, bare feet with their shoes hanging over their little shoulders, walking on the path toward the spring thats on our land. They see me watching them from my window and they smile and wave. The spring comes out into a little stream thats on the backwood here. With the drought conditions we have had its just about all dried up except for the trickle of fresh spring water coming out of the ground. Of course I worry about the brothers but I tell myself they have been up to the spring millions of times and they know how to call for help if its needed. Other than that Its a Norman Rockwellian Day here on the mountain. I have the pagentry of the changing colors of the Autumn Leaves bursting forth from their summer attire, my puppy is playing in the field with his poppie, the kitten has snuggled close using my foot as his pillow while his purring motor runs on full speed, loudly. Pumpkin Bread is baking in the over and I am sitting here typing looking out the window at this glorious Fall day. The back door is open and I can smell leaves burning. The adventurers dad must be raking his yard and burning yard waste. Its not a waste to me. Burning leaves is one of the most homey scents of the fall season. I hope you all enjoy your day and I will savor every minute of mine.

Hi Snowmom, Did you get my e-mail over the weekend with my email and snail mail addys? Let me know as we just changed service and I got a new e-mail addy.

Welcome to the wonderful world of teenagehood, Hilly. First off always remember that you are in charge of the situation not the teen. If you say you will do something make sure you follow through with it. Ex: ( taking away the stereo for 2 weeks. Make sure no amount of pleading and begging will make you change your mind just to appease the princess. STICK TO YOUR GUNS) Its unfortunate that the schools and government today teach our children to turn their parents into the authorities if the kids think they are being abused by their parents. I believe that a parent has a right to discipline a child and although I don't like any physical violence a few good smacks on the bum doesn't constitute abuse. If that doesn't work then you call the big guns out. Your stepchild may think that her friend the foster kid has a great life but I use to place children in foster care and have follow up care with the kids. Foster care is not all its cracked up to be and there is more abuse happening by foster parents towards the foster kids than comes from the childs original parents. This is not to say there are some good foster homes but they are few. Anyway if this teen of yours gets to out of hand you call up social services and tell them you are getting parentally abused from the child and what is your recourse. Abused Parents have rights too. I would make sure that if social services workers come to your home to check out the situation its up to you and her father to be very specific about her actions towards you and him, make statements about the animal neglect by her and just her overall change in attitude. When I first read your post all I could think of was that maybe she got ahold of some drugs at school and started taking them. Drinking is another area you may want to check on. If you feel you need to go in her room and do a bit of searching for anything suspicious go right ahead. Its your home and you want it to be a safe haven for all who live there. I am not saying she has these problems, these are options to look into. She just may be under alot of peer pressure at school or she may be a teen who develops depression and doesn't know why she feels the way she does. If she has done a fast 365 degree turn from Angel to Demon Spawn then its time to check things out. As for the mean and abusive parent comments she is making to all her friends and anyone who will listen to her about you and your husband, confront her. If she feels you both are being abusive tell her that she is free to become an amancipated teenager and support herself outside of your home or if she is not old enough for the amancipation tell her that she is free to live in foster care. ( Let her go but when she gets a whiff of the rules she has to follow in foster care she will be calling you night and day begging to come home) It could backfire on you that she would get along fine but hey thats ok. Your not being abused yourself anymore. Guilt is the first thing that these kids try to get you with. You have the right to a normal home life and make it known that she is upsetting the balance of the home by her vindictives ways. Tell her that you love her but that you don't have to put up with her crap. Remember to tell whoever investigates the case that you and your hubby are being abused by this child. Also Check for: Drug use! Alcohol use Depression Peer Pressure problems at school. How are her grades? Are they heading in a downward spiral to failing grades. Dyslexia and other similar disorders can also cause this type of behavior. She may be acting out her anger on you and your husband when she is angry at herself for not being in control of her life/dealing with again peer pressure. She may be grieving her moms death now, because at the age six a child does not know how to grieve properly. This is another reason to take her anger out on you and others around her. These are some of the things to consider. Perhaps Tough Love can change things. Maybe not. Its your stepdaughters life. If she screws it up she does it on her own. She can't put the blame on anyone but herself. Just hang in there and check things out. Take care of yourself Things will work out one way or another. I will keep you in my prayers. Reci

Snowmom is it too late to sign up for this?

Happy Anniversary to you Snowmom and your Pine....Many more to you

Hey Dee, I didn't think Ashes 2 had the same impact as the original. It seemed like McCourt was in a hurry to write the second book. I was a bit disappointed with it. Did you see the movie Angela's Ashes? They left alot out of the movie even though it was good but the book is a must read to really understand whats happening there. Lowlander is so right about the poverty there in Ireland. I have friends who live in N. Ireland and they live in virtual poverty because jobs are scarce and pay is not that great. Their Children have moved over to England to work and raise their families there because they can get a better living wage, not much better but its something. And this is in todays world. I read so much about many more people over in Ireland and England becoming homeless and living in the streets. Now Lowie I love the monarchy but I think they should give some of the money that they have accumulated all these centuries, back to the people of England as these rich Americans should do in my country. There are so many poor but proud families in this country that would rather go hungry than live on the dole. Several years ago I worked with a group of people down in the Appalachins Mountains to build a schoolhouse and medical house. I couldn't believe these children came to the school barefoot or with makeshift shoes and very little clothing to shield them from the cold winds and snow. Their little faces conveyed the hunger they endured every day of their lives so I made sure that a free breakfast and lunch program was started and continues to this day. I also have had the opportunity in the past to have clothing and food supplied to the people in the mountains in exchange for bartering their services. That way its not a handout for them. I started a free clothing bank right in my own area and take an active part in the local food pantries and soup kitchen. I see more and more hungry faces each day as I travel through my city. I figure if I can't help take care of my neighbors, friends and strangers that need a good hot meal and a warm coat and mittens I have no purpose here on Earth. Its just in my nature to help if I can. Now that I have blabbled on... I will shut up...

Happy Happy A Lowlander. Many more Happy Anniversay's to you and your matey!

Welcome home Pansy. I'll trade you 10 quarts of those canned Elberta Peaches that you canned for some Coney Island Hot Dog Sauce and Blueberry Jam. Yummm peaches sound so good right about now!! Peaches and some of Darlenes Oranges..

Has anyone here read McCourts Book about his childhood? How did you like it? If so did you like the sequel to it/

I read an article about that man carrying the fridge all over Ireland. You will have to let us know how the book is.

I haven't had a chance to post much because we have been working on remodeling some of the rooms in our house trying to get them ready for winter. I am afraid if we get one of those Canadian Winds blowing through the area my fuel bill will be high. Lots of new insulation and sheet rock have gone on these past couple of weeks. I am pooped!

Hi there L. Welcome back to the board.....

Welcome to the board Cleanie! Hope to chat with you soon..

Welcome to the board.... enjoy... everyone is terrific....

You and Peg are in my prayers along with your Dad. Mike and I can relate very well. Watching ones you love suffer can be unnerving. Love one another, keep each other and family in your hearts, treasure precious moments you have with each other and your loved ones.