Random Musings of a Curious Mind

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!



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

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.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

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.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

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.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

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.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

International Children's Book Day

This is one that I've never heard of, but I just love the idea.

The goal, since 1967, has been to bring books and children together. Each year, on the anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen's birthday - April 2nd - the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) chooses one of its National Sections to host the celebration. IBBY's Board decides on a theme for the year, and invites a prominent author (from the host country) to write a message to the children of the world and a well-known illustrator to design a poster.

For 2008, Thailand has been chosen to host Children's Book Day, write the message, and design the poster. Rest assured, there are events planned in many countries and communities around the world, designed to encourage the love of books in children.

Don't wait for a special day - buy your kid(s) a book and read to them, as often as you can.






Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Family Lawsuit Against MySpace.com

I don't recall an original story about this lawsuit, but this 'new round' definitely grabbed my attention. After some serious thought, I had to side with the courts. This is, in my opinion, an attempt by parents, who were unaware of / not monitoring their child's behavior, to blame MySpace for what happened to their daughter.

MySpace has guidelines and does monitor, to the best of its ability, the users who have pages. I know, personally, that many IDs and pages have been removed for violating policies. But this little girl, also violated MySpace policies by lying about her age in order to acquire a login and create the page.

At that young age, in a place as potentially dangerous as a social networking site, parents need to closely monitor what their child is doing on the computer. They need to - repeatedly - talk to their children about how to safely use the Internet. Many experts recommend keeping computers out of kids' bedrooms, so that it's easier to keep an eye on surfing habits.

Links to information for kids and parents about Internet Safety (alphabetically):

Parental Guides and Information for Kids on BOTW.org

Internet Safety for Kids and Teens on DMOZ.org

World-Wide-Web Safety on Yahoo!Kids' Directory

Yahoo!Safely Internet Guide

The rules for virtually all interactive websites are the same - no one under 13, don't give out personal information, and don't physically meet someone you only know online. Even sites designed for kids, and there are some great ones out there, require parental approval before kids under 14 can create accounts/logins. But no site account set-up includes a lie detector.

If kids don't tell the truth, the website certainly can't be held responsible. And, personally, I'm getting a bit weary of people making everyone, but themselves, responsible for the misbehavior / behavior of their children.






Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules