Will Your Kid Get That Degree?

I stumbled across an interesting news story today. It discusses which high school students are most likely to graduate from college, based on a 10-year study of over 200,000 freshman.

The news, published in "Crossing the Finish Line," points to demographic factors - rather than hard work, good grades, and intelligence - as the strongest indicator of success or failure in post-high school endeavors. Gender, race, and parental education carry more weight than student effort or brains. If true, a rather sad situation.

In a nutshell, kids whose parents didn't go to or finish college, who come from a disadvantaged background, regardless of how hard they study or how brilliant they are, are much less likely to make it through four years of college.

Obviously, there will always be exceptions - thank, heaven! But, as one of those statistics, it's very disheartening to know that not much has changed in the 35 years since I went to - and didn't graduate from - college.

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Jules

Just the Two of Us

Sadly, it's back to just Mark and me again.

Don't get me wrong - there's a huge difference in having two people in this little apartment, versus three of us trying to fit all of our stuff in here. But, now that Frankie has moved back up north, it's really quiet. On the other hand, I haven't tripped over a bicycle in a couple of days and there's no giant white tiger staring at me from the corner of the living room.

Honestly, I don't blame him for moving back and, if we could get there, would probably seriously consider doing the same.


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Jules

They Grow Up Too Quickly

It seems like yesterday that I met Mark's two youngest sons for the first time. Now, 'our' oldest is turning 20.

Mark hadn't been out of the hospital from his transplant more than a few days when we got the call, asking if he could move in with us. There wasn't a seconds hesitation in answering 'Yes!' Having him here changed our lives, for the better. It wasn't always easy, especially when the youngest moved in a month later. When he decided to stay with friends for his final year of school, it nearly broke our hearts.

I look back over these five years and am so happy to have gotten to know this young man. He's moving up north again at the end of the month; Phoenix isn't his cup of tea, as they say. It's going to be very quiet when he's gone.


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Jules

Trick or Treat!

Well, for another year - we had zero goblins grace our door. In fact, over the 7 years that we have lived here, we only had any Halloween visitors one year - and that was management's kids.

There are quite a few youngsters - judging by the noise level out my front window - living here right now. So I was surprised to hear no knocks last night. Of course, the fact that we are now gated and it would take Houdini to get in here after hours might have a little something to do with it!

Guess I'll just have to share the candy with . . . ME! Yum, yum, yum!



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Jules

Sore Feet!

Messaged the Chef this morning. The job is good, but his feet are really sore! I can remember those days.

I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when I got my first office job. Wouldn't be spending 8+ hours on my feet anymore. It was just wonderful!

The worst (on my feet) job I had in my youth was at the cheese shop at the local mall. Vanity had me in heels; but the shop had a cement floor behind the counter, for health reasons. I don't think my feet ever hurt as badly as they did after all day standing on that floor. The steakhouse had a concrete floor, too. But I wore more sensible shoes in those days.

So, I'm sure that he's spending his entire shift on the same type of floor. If nothing else, I know what to get him for Christmas . . .

Air pillow insoles and a foot massager!



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Jules

WooHoo! We Have a Chef in the Family!

We got the good news a couple of days ago. Our oldest is officially a prep cook for one of the local casinos. In fact, his first day was yesterday.

I haven't had a chance to talk to him, yet. And I know he'll probably be working all weekend, so it'll be a while until I can get all the details. I really hope he loves it!

Kinda takes me back to my first job - bussing tables at a local cafeteria in the (very) small town I grew up in. Definitely not as much fun as working in the kitchen, but much better than washing dishes.

Oh to be young again!



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Jules

Health Concerns

Apparently, I'm on a health kick. Everything that comes to mind or that pops up in the news - grabbing my attention - seems to be health-related. But this one has me more than a bit wound up!

Reading about: Cold Meds for Kids Back in the Spotlight ticked me off.

Yes, there are far too many young children in emergency rooms due to incorrect doses of OTC cold medications. But don't we have enough legislation in our lives? Since do we legislate against ignorance? Especially when most of the legislature is what's ignorant!

Personal opinion - most children 2 and under don't need OTC meds. A cold will work itself out, as it were, in a matter of days and young children rarely have the extreme symptoms that older kids and adults experience.

What about reading and following the directions on the bottle? When did that become unusual? I guess about the time that irons started sporting - "Do not iron clothes while wearing" - alerts.

Ask yourself this question - do you really want the government that brought you the Iraq War, the Wall Street bailout, and Dick Cheney to tell you what you can and can't give to your sick child?



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Jules

Our Son - The Chef

We've had some great news from our oldest, which is nice since he's had a lot of bad news lately. After studying culinary arts in high school down here, there weren't any programs during his final year up north. So, I wasn't too sure what would happen to his career plans.

This week we found out that he's in the process of going to work for one of the casinos in his area - as a prep cook! There's still paperwork to complete, but it sounds like a solid job offer.

Not only that, but he'll have benefits in 6 months (very important for a young man with a bad leg) and - if he's interested - can move up to line cook in just 9 months. Pretty Great!!

Cross your fingers for him - that nothing goes wrong between now and his first day? Thanks!



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Jules

Parenting 101 - the Palin Way

I read Op/Ed articles quite a bit. With the exception of one slightly cuckoo columnist, I find that even when I disagree with the writer, I still enjoy their perspective. One of my favorite reads is Ted Rall's column. He pulls no punches.

This latest column, exploring the Palin Parenting Program, is spot-on.

Not only is it highly improbable that Bristol and her boyfriend made the choice to marry and raise the baby, it's highly probable that 'Mom' brooks no disagreement once she's determined a course of action. An unusual segment of the teen population notwithstanding, getting pregnant at 17 and without benefit of marriage is not a teen's personal choice - whether male or female. It's an accident, rarely remedied by interfering overbearing parents. The whole situation is just going to destroy those three young lives.

There is absolutely no benefit in compounding one mistake with another and another.



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Jules

Unique Baby Gifts

I am always looking for special products to complement our one-of-a-kind designs. Cuddle up under a Cozy Afghan, with a tasty tub of popcorn - or a yummy basket of goodies. What about a personalized gift for your graduate, paired with a Twin-size Afghan in his/her new school colors?

We've got great gift ideas for Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, your favorite Aunt and Uncle, Godparents, Brother or Sister - everyone in the family. Even Fido and Fluffy! But, I'm still on the prowl for truly unique baby gifts.

Just imagine - a complete layette set, in your favorite colors, with a matching future-heirloom crib afghan. It just doesn't get any better than that!



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Jules

Hello From Fort Collins

As the title says - I'm in Fort Collins, Colorado. Given the stories I heard from fellow travellers, I guess I was very lucky to have made it. Although, there were some, shall we say, interesting moments.

To get from Phoenix to Fort Collins requires 2 changes and 3 different buslines. Phoenix to Albuquerque is Greyhound - and seriously crowded. An agent in Albuquerque told me that the East-West routes are always packed. She wasn't kidding.

That leg of the trip was cozy, to say the least. I told my seat-mate "It's hard to be strangers in these seats." Very nice - quiet - lady, by the way. But being that cramped was hard on my bad knee - just no way to stretch and get the pressure off the joint.

That was a rather scary leg - we were nearly run off the road by a crazy truck driver and got caught in a rainstorm. Now, the rain wouldn't have been that detrimental - if the driver's wipers had worked and if the emergency hatch in the roof had had a good seal. The rain started and I could have sworn I felt drops on my arm! Thought I was nuts until another passenger asked me if I was getting wet. Leave it to me to pick a seat that 'leaks' - you know?!

In Albuquerque, I changed to the Americanos busline for the overnight trip to Denver. (Bus was an hour late, which surprised me.) Very nice buses - curtains and comfy seats. But I nearly froze to death. The air conditioning runs down the windows, onto the seats; so you're either comfortable and frost-bitten, resting your back against the window, or you have an armrest in your back and only semi-freeze. I brought my newest afghan creation with me. Unfortunately, it's just a smidge larger than a lapghan - so, either my shoulders were warmed or my legs. Not both.

When we got to Denver, over an hour late, there was a fence blocking access from the entrances to the rest of the bus station and a really long line of people along the fence. Apparently, although I thought the convention was over, Obama was in Denver and they were checking everyone who came into the city. Not a quick check, either. Every bag was opened and searched. Then, every passenger was scanned. I was extremely glad that I had a 3-hour layover.

Just when I got to within 6 or 7 people of being searched, 45 minutes later, the head of security waved me, the woman in front of me, and about half of the people behind me through, with a "You're good. Go catch your bus." Within 15 minutes, they had removed the fence, tables, and all evidence of a security set-up. What a pain!

With all of that, I still managed to get in to Fort Collins within 15 minutes of our expected arrival time. Although I missed the rehearsal, I did manage to make the rehearsal luncheon - some of the best Italian food I've had in many years!\

And one of the most kick-a** margaritas I've ever had.



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Jules

Another Wedding in the Family

My daughter has been married less than 3 months and now her brother is walking down the aisle himself. Okay, actually his fiancée will walk down the aisle, he'll wait for her at the altar.

I didn't think that I would be able to make it, but found out today that I should be able to go. Needless to say, I am excited and frantic!

What do I wear? do I have anything to wear? If you'll recall, I went through the same agony right before my daughter's wedding - and that worked out okay. So, hopefully, this one will, too.

The one thing I am absolutely sure of? I am taking extra batteries for the camera and I am saving pictures to disc the second I get home. No more missed opportunities and lost pictures for me.

No sir!



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Jules

Surgical Treatment for Lazy Eye

This is an amazing breakthrough for kids: Lens Implant Offers Chance At Beating Lazy Eye

If you're not familiar with lazy eye, also called amblyopia, it's a condition where one eye is so much weaker than the other that the brain learns to ignore that eye. Occurring at a young age, amblyopia causes the neural connections to not form and makes the weaker eye useless, unless treated early.

We have a son with this condition which, until I read this article, I didn't realize was a serious problem. Oddly enough, the last time he was here he mentioned the vision difference between his eyes. While not as severe as the little girl in the above story, his left eye has 20/60 vision. Very impaired.

Several years ago, we tried glasses on him. He stopped wearing them, because the right lens altered the vision in that eye and made it more difficult for him to see. I don't know if that meant the glasses were having a positive affect on the left eye, blurring his overall vision, or not, since he mentioned it for the first time last month.

Unfortunately, I don't think that he has any type of vision benefits, now that he's 19 and out of school.

This just shows how critical eye exams are - from a very early age.



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Jules

Just Can't Win!

It's amazing - or depressing - however you want to look at it.

Mark and I spent four years trying to undo the damage from the lifetime that his youngest boys spent with their mother. They each had overt and hidden problems from the abuse and neglect in their past. I think we helped Frankie; Michael - who knows.

But, since Michael left, at the end of May, I have to say that my health and my attitude have improved 1000%. I laugh more; cry less. Each day is a blessing, instead of a curse.

I don't know if that makes me a bad person or if it means that the situation was so toxic for me that I had to get out to save my life and my sanity. I know that I would have ever 'let' him leave, without finishing school and developing some skills to see him through his adult life.

In all honesty, I do miss him and worry desperately about him living with his mother. If I dwell on, what I believe to be, his prospects for the future - I become terrified for him. (When asked what he wanted to do with his life, his answers were always beyond the realm of possibility - basketball star, race car driver.)

So, even though we don't have in-your-face-every-day stress anymore, we have the upset of not knowing how he's doing or what abuse he might be suffering.

Just can't win!



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Jules

Greater Good Network

I have a great interest in protecting the environment, helping animals, and just trying to do the right thing. Sadly, I don't have a bank account that allows me to financially support all of the causes in which I believe.

Thanks to the Greater Good Network, and their sponsors, I don't have to be the Sultan of Brunei in order to help.

One of the easiest ways to help is by resetting the home page on your browser. Simply pick one of the websites in the network - I chose The Animal Rescue Site - and every time you visit the Internet, simply click on the "Click Here to Give" button on the main page. It doesn't cost you a dime, but the sponsors will take that 'click' and donate to the cause that you've chosen.

Every time I visit my homepage, I give .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. And I am not alone! Yesterday, July 10, 2008, 303,764 clicks contributed 182,258 bowls of food; in 2007, actions at The Animal Rescue Site funded the value of 42,724,313 bowls of food for animals in need.

I know that I couldn't, personally, contribute enough to make a drop in the bucket. But, working with The Greater Good Network, I - and you - can do wonders.



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Jules

Bad News / Good News

When I crashed the laptop, I managed to lose all of the pictures I'd taken at my daughter's wedding. Luckily, I'd sent my aunt a few pictures, so I was able to recover those photos.

      

      

Unfortunately, you can't tell from these pictures just how breath-taking the location was. Up in the foothills, at a country club with amazing views, it was just incredible.

Just as soon as I do some work with the pictures from my cellphone, I'll happily post more.



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Jules

Goin' to a Wedding!

My dress and shoes have arrived! And - joy of joys - my dress fits!

It's difficult to determine what size is right, when ordering online. Given the fact that I've put on weight and not gotten in shape, I was terrified to open that box! As a hedge, I ordered a 'slimmer' when I ordered the dress. I haven't tried them on together, yet.

Second joy of joys? The dress is actually long enough that I can wear the heels I ordered. (At almost 6 feet tall, most of it legs, I have a devil of a time finding something that covers my ankles!) Not to mention, the area above my waist is much smaller than the area below my waist. Can you say pear?

Keep an eye out - I'll be letting you know if the look actually worked.



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Jules

Pet Sitter

I'm in the process of getting ready for my daughter's wedding at the end of the month.

The dress and shoes are ordered. Hopefully, the sizes listed on the website are accurate. Now - what do I do with Paka?

He and Mark don't exactly get along - but they don't always fight. Isn't that helpful?! NOT!

Under the circumstances, I have to trust that they won't kill each other.



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Jules

GonnaBe

There are talent agencies all over the country - good and bad. Some help their clients; some bleed their clients. I, personally, have always wanted an acting career. Could have had one - if I'd been able to act, sing, dance, or any of the above.

Years ago I had a good friend whose children were involved in modeling; she was a working actress. I can still remember the work that went into getting the kids seen and signed by agencies in our state. Mom was amazingly knowledgeable and energetic about getting things done.

Today, I ran across a site that takes a lot of that work out of it. GonnaBe is designed to provide young artists with resources, services, experience and exposure in order to succeed in the entertainment industry.

GonnaBe offers actors, musicians, dancers, and models more than opportunities to expand their knowledge and talent, it encourages them to reach for the stars in every aspect of their lives.

If your child is interested in an entertainment career, take a look at this site. It's a great place to start.



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Jules