Factor 5 blood disease

In my last blog, I mentioned I had family living with us now. It's different, but I love having young children in the house again.
My niece's husband has Factor 5 blood disorder. I have researched it, but I would love to hear from people who have the disorder also.
Please let me know. Thanks!!!

Blogging blahs or boring life?

Well, I certainly have not been faithful to my blog. I enjoy it, but I can decide if I have the blogging blahs or just a boring life. Maybe it's too many senior moments that is creating writer's block, or could it be laziness? I really don't know, but I feel boring life is about to change.

Some family is living with us for a while and there are two children with them. One is six, and one is four months. Our house is not small nor huge, just average. I feel like the old woman who lived in a shoe tonight. My husband does work out of town and is home this weekend, so there are six of us plus cat and dog.

This will continue for several more months, and I am curious as to what the future brings...each day will be a new adventure.

I do, however, love my family members present in the spare bedrooms dearly, so that does make things better. Tonight I got supper cooked and dishes washed, and all was done with no help from me. Well, I do declare, I felt really special...and the food was free, too. I do have to admit that my kitchen counters are shining and things in their place, and I really do feel special as I sit here...and in the background I can tell that it is time for the young mother in the house to feed the four month old....my dog thinks breastfeeding is amazing! She turns her head to the side trying to figure out the sounds of that tiny creature that is chowing down. Princess got the steak bones, so she also feels the love of extra family.

I know there will be many good times and many bad times, but we are the type of family that makes it through anything. Remember the graduation blog when my brother and his ex loaded up in the van with all of us? I told ya', we're something else.

I will definitely keep you posted on who walks in on who and where. Wow, I think the writer's block has lifted. Do you think we'll survive? Let me know.

Campground Venting.........HELP

In the beginning of my blogging, I talked about my husband and I building a campground. We have gone around the world and back with banks, county officials, etc. There is a large power plant project going on in the small town where we want to build. Construction workers are known for having campers and taking them to their work. This is their lodging for the six or seven years they are on a project.

Common sense tells me that if there is no place to them to camp, or even rent motel rooms or apartments, that something needs to be done to accomodate them...duh?

We own 20 acres, and were planning to create 200 campsites to offer the workers. It's obvious they are coming, someone has to build the plant. But we have been asked to produce names and phone numbers for "reservations." Maybe I am dumb, but I haven't figured out how to reserve something that isn't there yet.

Oh, and we are supposed to fund the cost of extending a sewage line to our property, no not connecting on to, but bring it a mile from the treatment facility! Now, it has to come across a state owned bridge...citizens can't get approval for that...only government. The total cost is staggering.

Are we the only ones that know a new business will create jobs and bring more money into the rural town? We must be.

You should see my email folders. I think I have talked with most everyone in the county and state. You know the oh, that is......'s territory, let me give you their email, blah, blah, blah. It's amazing the lack of knowledge that people can pretend to have about the situation.

Hey, we are not trying to be the next Donald Trumph, just a nice, family owned business that will allow my husband to retire before he gets to be 100 years old.

If we were wanting to open a nudist campground or one created for "ladies of the evening", we'd probably be over-run with offers to get the project done.

I have been chasing my tail for over a year......any suggestions greatly appreciated!!!! Leave one, please?

Thoughts on new school year

After my last blog on preparing for school, I was listening to a program on the tele as I was working on a class website for a friend. They had a doctor discussing the anxiety factor that comes with the beginning of a new school year.

The doctor stated that parents were more prone to the anxiety than the children, but that this anxiety could easily affect the children and make them anxious, also. I think it was the Today Show.

It made extremely good sense. The doctor suggested that parents contain their stressing, since it is not good for adult or child. It's a part of life that is necessary. I was glad to hear that the majority of parents do enjoy the summer bonding with their children, and the percentage of parents that can't wait for their children to return to school was small. I know I always dreaded when my daughter had to return to school. The daily grind took away family time, and the dreaded school schedule was put into place once again. I do know that, if I had it to do over, I would have home schooled her at least until middle school.

They did discuss the fact, that for the first month or two, the schedule should be fairly rigid. If it becomes a burden, taking away from quality time, parents should ease up. I have to agree with that.

New school years are a part of life. Not all can or want to home school, and that is fine. But just don't stress over it and create stress for the children. For those that are glad to see their children away at school for six plus hours a day, I have my own opinion, just as I do for working parents that have no choice but still hate losing that family time. But I'm am sure the family time left is quality time.

For the children that are sent to school as soon as the doors open each morning, and then remain after for any and all after school programs that can last until 5 or 6 o'clock, I say that I am sorry your life is this way. That is a long time away from home and family.

I have digressed as usual, but parents don't let another new school year stress you, and talk with your child about anxiety he or she may be feeling.

My daughter is now twenty, so I don't go through that anymore. I do have a great niece starting first grade, and the schedule is so hard on my niece and her husband, as they both work full-time and hard hours. They also have a three month old son that adds to the daily scheduling confusion.

Love to all of the children and parents that are getting ready to tackle another school year. Leave me some thoughts!

Venting...deadbeats!

Were some people behind the door when good sense and good morale values were handed out? I do have to wonder. Always I have had little tolerance for deadbeats who whine about how their lives were so bad it made them the beings they are as adults. I don't want to sound mean or uncaring, but some situations (and people) just plain stink. I know people can be scarred from their childhood, I was. My birth-father left when I was two, and I never saw him. It was only six years ago that I found out he had recently died. Yes, I have wondered what I did to make him leave, but I had to accept the fact that I was only two and did nothing, he was just a deadbeat dad. Also, I know people go through much worse situations than I did. My husband was raised in a physical and emotional abusive family. He wanted to be different, and he is one of the best people you will ever meet!
I think the idea of deadbeats stayed on my mind since the incident at the gas pump (two blogs down). It made me think of a 25 year old guy, I can't call him a man, who is married and living with his girlfriend. Yes, I typed it correctly. He has a 6 year old daughter by the wife, and a 1 1/2 year old daughter by another girlfriend...and he lives with another??? Confusing, to say the least. This is where I get real confused about the morales, or lack of morales, that people have or don't have.
It simply leaves me in awe of how anyone could do be this way. It makes me mad that children are neglected because parents use any reason to excuse the fact that they are not living up to their moral obligations as parents and human beings. Poor, pitiful me, when I was young....does not release human beings from being human beings. I can rant for days, but I think I have explained this topic on my gripe list sufficiently and don't want to over do it.
Really friends, I simply do not understand some people. I have a strong need to understand situations...always have. I read and study to understand many things, but there is no literature to explain this one.
Now, I am having doubts. Do I just delete this or publish? Having a soft heart, I don't want to insult anyone, but then again, I don't think the kind of people I am talking about would understand that it's them I'm venting about!
Do I over analyze? Am I too harsh? I have had a hard time not hitting the delete button on this one. I would really love to know what you think!

Older and more opinionated...or something?

Well, I am beginning to think my senior moments aren't forgetting, but may be remembering or noticing too much. Things bother me

more than they used to. I mean they really get under my skin. I have always been a pleasant person and can get along with most anyone. But, sometimes enough is enough in the caring if you please everybody department. Actually, I consider 57 the new middle age...I don't care what others think it is. I don't feel old in my heart or mind, although the body does have more aches and it used to.

Well, anyway, I love writing about family, pets, friends, and normal daily things. As of today, I feel more strongly about right and wrong. Maybe it's the incident while gassing up last night (below) or something, I don't know, but today I feel feistier than normal.

I wish that feistiness would turn into house cleaning, but it hasn't. I do feel the need to complain, not about my life but others, the world, politics...you name it and I have an opinion...and today for some reason, I have a strange compulsion to share those complaints.

Since my dog is standing beside me with her head on my knee and looking pitiful because my husband decided to change her dog food that she won't eat....bad run-on sentence, rainbow20, do better girl. Anyway, I am going to the grocery store...another pet pieve...to buy her the right food and a lemon for my tea. Then I plan to put on my bedroom shoes, fix my tea, and begin speaking about some of the things that really gripe me. Hopefully, I won't get carried away and use more run-on sentences, because I do want to appear as having fair writing skills.

Maybe instead of Dear Abby, I can be Dear Rainbow20 for those having a bad day or just wanting to get something off their chests. I don't know, sometimes a change makes things better...or at least make you feel better. We'll see what happens. I'll start off the "speak what's bothering me" entries with a warning of some kind...maybe CAUTION..I'M VENTING. I am off to the store for real this time.

Safety on the 4th

The 4th is a time for fun, good food, and family. Yes, and fireworks!

Common sense goes a long way to keep kids and adults safe. Unfortunately, we read and hear about accidents that happen even when people are practicing safety when putting on fireworks displays...big or small.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety gives tips and information to help make our July 4th celebrations safe and fun!

I included a link to them. Click on the fireworks icon.

First one since retirement!!!

Yes, I am counting down the days already! This will be my first holiday season since I've retired. I am so looking forward to decorating. I am already planning get-to-gathers that I normally don't have time to do. I may even have my shopping done before Christmas Eve. That's an exciting prospect for me!

I am hoping it will be the best Christmas we've had in a few years. Hopefully, my daughter will be home by then...that in itself makes any day Christmas for me.

This year we will have my great-nephew to enjoy, even though he'll only be six months old, babies just bring joy to all things.

Honestly, I have already started planning Thanksgiving, too. I just want the entire holiday season to be filled with fun, family, and love!

My Daddy

Biased opinion, but I have the best dad in the world! Funny though, as I got older, he strangely
got a lot smarter.
He is the perfect example of a good man.
His has one big flaw, he is hard to buy presents for. Today, he and mother are at their place at Myrtle Beach, and I wanted to surprise him, but that has gotten harder over time. Well, I pulled it off!!!
Yeap, I sent him an edible arrangement. When I talked to him, he was quite pleased. Even boomers still like to please their parents.
He and mother had already nibbled and reached the conclusion that it was not only unusual, but very tasty. I love them! I can hear the conversation about how the fruit was cut and the bananas dipped, and how it stayed so nice all the way from North Myrtle to Garden City. Those two, they are quite the entertaining pair.
My great-nephew, I wrote about in an earlier blog, is his first male addition since my brother. He is so good with my great-niece, and I can only imagine what is in store for the great-grandson. He is already talking about fishing trips. He painted birdhouses with his great-granddaughter, and planted seeds so she could watch them grow. He tends all things with love, as he did my brother and me growing up.
What else can I say, except, Happy Father's Day daddy, and I love you tremendously!

Thanks to Edible Arrangements at North Myrtle Beach, SC.
http://www.ediblearrangements.com/

Missing loved ones

Here's summer! Celebrations are numerous. Monday we will be celebrating and remembering past and present heros. I can't help but think of all the families that are missing loved ones who are serving our country in other parts of the world. My best friend's son left for Iraq at the beginning of May.

My family is planning a cookout for Monday. We will all be together, except for my 20 year old daughter. She has been in Kentucky since February 26, and I miss her so much. Monday will not be the same without her. I will put on my happy face, but my heart will be empty. She has chosen to live with her boyfriend and his mother, both of whom are not like my family. We are just on another level, no we are not snobs. We are hardworking, honest, good people. They live differently with life values and moral values that are not what they should be. Unfortunately, my daughter, who has always been strong-willed, is supposedly in love and evidently not thinking. It's like she looks for people to help. I don't understand and hope that one day I will. She has a nice home, loving parents, grandparents and cousins, aunts and uncles...all that love her dearly. I know she is better than what she is living, why can't she?

Made me think of my mother

I was looking through pictures at Free Digital Photos looking for a picture of a penguin when I saw the birds on the feeder. It reminded of my

mother, so my blog took on a different subject.

My mother, what can I say, she is a speciman of the perfect mother.....kind, loving, caring, helping, sharing, and the list goes on. She is the epitemy of a good person. If anyone has enjoyed life, it's her. Life at times was not easy, but she came through the down times with the spirit of an athlete. She doesn't give up, and she puts her all in everything she does. Her children, grandchildren, and grandchildren have all benefited from her love, strength, and devotion.

Well, I digress, the picture made me think of her because she loves sitting on her porch, watching the birds feed. I think that is her private place that we all need to go just be aware of ourselves. The place where we get in touch with our thoughts, and the place we can just enjoy. Wherever my mom is, she is getting the most out of life that she can.

Where is your private place? Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Jon and Kate Plus 8

Tonight I found myself with some extra time, so I tuned to Jon and Kate Plus 8. In this episode, the entire family went on a ski trip. I can't imagine taking 8 children anywhere!

I do admire Jon and Kate. They expose their children to many places and activities than smaller families. Of course, some of the kids like skiing, some snowboarding, and some wanted nothing to do with it. The show was so cute. It always seems to make me smile, maybe because I can enjoy the fun and when I turn off the TV I don't have 8 children to take care of.

It has been fun to watch the different seasons of the show and watch them grow. The potty training episodes are a hoot!

It's good, wholesome fun to watch. Call me a prude, but I'm not interested in reality programs that put people together and from week to week who they are sleeping with is a surprise. That just doesn't interest me. Unfortunately, my third graders could tell me all about it....sad.

Well, I do enjoy watching them handle 8 children, but I'm glad I can "give them back" when the show ends....kind of like being a grandparent, I guess, don't know yet.

Agony and Ecstasy

This is Trixie, my brother's dog. She must weigh all of 6 pounds soaking wet.

Trixie sporting the newest fashion in rain wear. Turning 5 soon, she is a bundle

of love to my brother, but she is not a fellow dog lover.

Before this picture, our dog Princess came inside to join the festivities. Weighing in at 50+ pounds she has a slight edge on the fiesty Trix. Princess loves to play with other dogs, cats, squirrels, children, and anything that moves. She get quite excited to have a playmate.

Two seconds after she came through the door, all we heard was the sound of nails on a wood floor. No barking, no hair standing up, just two white flashes circling the table. Princess had found a playmate that didn't want to play. She was in a state of ecstasy, while chasing Trix, who thought she was running for her life.

Princess was assigned back to the yard, and Trixie was given a treat to sooth her ego in having to deal with another canine. My brother's broken ribs did not keep him from laughing. Please don't think Trixie was being mistreated...never...but it was quite a site and sound, neither one could get any traction no matter how hard they tried. Honestly, I believe Princess thinks she is the size of Trixie, which is an agonizing experience when she plays lapdog.

A Miracle

Friday I witness a real miracle. I was present at the birth of my first great-nephew. He is the first boy born after my brother, so no, he doesn't have a chance of not being spoiled. I also have a 6 year old great-niece, and she is a joy to all.

We adopted our daughter, so the live birth experience was new to me. I was in total awe. After seeing how the female body is designed for giving birth and watching all things come together at exactly the right time, I do not see how God's existence could ever be questioned.

There are two events in my life I would not change for anything...the adoption of my daughter and witnessing Taylor's birth. Oh yes, I must include my wedding day.