Photo Friday Symbol
- It's a Jeep thing - you wouldn't understand

good byes can be hard
I'm selling my Scrambler (PuddleJumper2) because my arthritis is taking all the fun out of being in it. The pain always wins. My Wrangler Sport is an easier vehicle to drive and ride in.
If by the grace of God, I should ever feel well again, I can always get another Scrambler. I do plan on feeling better again. The pain may win the battle, but I will win the war. There will always be a Scrambler for sale somewhere. Granted, this has been my most favorite vehicle to own since my very first car, the original PuddleJumper; a 1963 Dodge Dart wagon with a slant six. This is heart breaking - like selling a dear friend. It helps to have a "new" friend jeep, but old friends are dearest and best.
Make new friends,
But keep the old; One is silver,
The other gold.
I have a" for sale" sign in the window, put it on my blog and ads on a couple of Scrambler sites. I want someone who will really appreciate it for what it is. Last resort will be to advertise in the local paper. I really want someone who will finish the job I have started. And I hate talking to stupid people.

tidbits
"Someone" left me a "present" on my back step. A dead sparrow. No one would come right out and say, but I swear Girlfriend was grinning and wagging. "Look mom! I got one!" I made Willie throw it away. Mostly just to gross him out and play on his fear of birds.
Willie has less than half a day of school left, then he forever joins the grown-up world. Consider yourselves warned.
I finished moving and replanting my house plants today. I divided my pothos into three pots. It had tendrils that were over ten feet long and it was time to start over. They were getting to be a bit too much.
Kara and Thune visited yesterday. I greeted her warmly as my little drunken whore. She laughed and gave me a big hug! It was a wonderful visit and I hope we all get to spend some quality time together this summer.
Next big outing is the second full week of July. Rand and I have decided that was our main "this will never change date" week for large family gatherings. We be at our usual spot. Hope to see you there too!
This coming holiday weekend is still in the air for us. Randy may or may not have to work the whole thing. So hard to plan a life around management like that!
I definetely have another cold already. This has been a lousy spring for me. I'm sure stress has had a lot to do with it.

and big bites....
Miss Lillian had her four month check up and shots. She is now 25" long; 14lbs 11oz; and has permission to dig into the food. Sandra called as they were starting her first bites of: sweet potato! Yum! Lilly took the first bite great and then - lunged toward the spoon with her mouth open to get more! She ate the entire jar the first time out. What a girl! We got the high chair there just in time!

don't anyone tell Donna!
I have realized I rather ignored Rand's birthday on my blog. Just did the mention of he did have to work it even though he was already suposed to be on vacation.
It was a good year for him and I surpassed his ideals in gift giving.
Rand got flight lessons for his birthday. He will learn to fly ultralight aircraft here.
We all know how well that will fly with his mother, so ssshhh.....

1981 Jeep Scrambler CJ-8
now officially
for sale

$5000

It is time to let go of my toy. The pain always wins and I can no longer give this beauty the care she deserves. This Scrambler has had only 3 owners and is a daily driver. There is some rust and body imperfections - she has always been an Iowa car. But for the most part, this Scrambler is in great shape and would be an excellent restore project.
Details include 256, 6 cyl. original engine, totally tuned and runs great! 119,463 miles, 4-speed transmission, 4x4.
Newer stuff includes: springs, dash controls and lights, master cylinder, carburetor, stereo (AM/FM/CD).
I will include the bikini top (and hardware) and half doors for your summer pleasure!

Hey Alan - Here's the shot I promised without the top! 

Might be time to divide! 

Generations

another sunny day
I had a very nice day of playing with babies, playing with plants, and playing with the smoker grill. All are very nice ways to spend a sunny day. I even squeezed in a short Jeep ride
Tuesday mornings are my "help with Angela's babies" day. Nothing like hugs, toothless grins, runny noses and full diapers to make you feel needed and loved!
I moved the majority of my houseplants (okay, three out of four of them) out to the screen porch today and watered the yard plants. My family generational rose "Seven Sisters" is in full and glorious bloom. This yellow rose bush has been passed down through multiple generations of the Heckathorn family. My Iris blooms are also peaking this week.
The bushes that edge the back of our property, will bloom in the next few days. Their fragrance is absolutely intoxicating! I have yet to have a deck party timed for when they are in full bloom. Prom parties are too soon. Graduation parties are too late. They will probably bloom this weekend - Willie's reception is the week after, of course!
Cleaned and fired up my smoker (literally). I smoked a large pork roast and several pounds of chicken. Froze most of it for uses in future meals and recipes. I'm thinking like......Smoked chicken strips laying on a bed of Fettucini Alfredo. Barbecued pork sandwiches.

I'm here - where are you?
Blogger - they killed thisbearbites
NCIS - they killed Kate!
TY&TR - they killed Cassie!
Even as I write this I have no assurances anyone will read it. My blog has been unattainable for many hours now. I hope it comes back. In the mean time, Rob and Amber got married. Angela came over to see my newest Lilly pictures.
Rnad and Willie got the top and doors put on the Scrambler. I'm feeling a little better about telling this old friend goodbye. Now I just have to actually advertise it. I'll get to it - don't worry.
Leave me alone!

Playing with Uncle Willie

Willie joined Rand and I for the Fort Dodge trip. Lilly is sweet and smart and funny and very good. We really screwed up her nap times, but she was good as could be for our visit. She chatters constantly, even while eating. It was very wonderful seeing Lilly, saying good-bye again - very hard. Yeah, I cried on the way home.
The trip did my body in, as expected. I was completely down the rest of the evening and not much better the next day.
And we miss her all the more.....

SHHHHHH
We were very quietly on vacation last week. We weren't about to announce it here. Willie stayed with dear friends of ours and he had no access to the house. Rand and I popped in about every other day. He worked on the roof. I did laundry and other housework. We kept the house locked up tight. It was so nice coming home to a clean house that looked exactly as I had left it.
By the end of the week, we were feeling good about camping without obsessive worries. We have a couple of months before we have to worry about the next full week.
Russ, Bec, Dianna, and Heath joined us at the camp ground on our last evening for a hot dog roast. It was the first and only fire we had for the week.
The old folks and Derrick started out the week with us, but left early in the week.
The weather wasn't real cooperative. It was beyond wet and muddy when we got out there. Luckily, the gale force winds dried everything out pretty good before the next downpours struck. Of course, the weather for the coming week looks to be very wonderful. Never fails.

Lilly's eyes are still a gorgeous blue.... 

Look at those legs! 

Lilly's capris make a pretty hat! 

Lillian Mae - 4 months old 

cold, rainy, windy, muddy......
I, personally, am getting sick of this Iowa spring weather. Granted it beats winter. But I am a true and true summer person. I don't care for spring, not warm enough. I like fall better than spring, usually it is a little drier. But summer - I adore!
This hot, cold, rainy crap just messes with my arthritis. I had hoped to redecorate the downstairs bath this week, but sore joints win every day this week. I need a nice warm dry spell.
We are getting teased with a few very nice days, but no promises. Yesterday's temperatures were wonderful, but it was so windy, nothing outside was enjoyable. I read for the entire day. I don't get a day like that too often - it was great. I had hoped to read sitting out in a lawn chair - but the wind was too hazardous for reading materials.
I read the newest installment to the Left Behind series; The Rising. It is a prequel to the series. The first of a promised of a trilogoy.

Rand should finish the house roofing today. He is working as much as possible between rain storms. Next up is the garage, but he says it will be awhile. His legs are claiming their age.

We hope to visit Lilly tomorrow. Yes, I will take lots of pictures!

Conduct Code
Click on the title to read a story that made the front page of today's Des Moines Register.
As soon as I saw the title I knew this would be a Jennifer Jacobs story.
The numbers that compare the city to the suburbs are mind blowing:

To date, 12 students from Des Moines' five high schools - East, Hoover, Lincoln, North and Roosevelt, with a combined enrollment of about 8,300 - were cited for violating the district's good conduct policy. However, 259 students were cited in eight suburban districts with a combined enrollment of about 10,000. Those districts are Ankeny, Johnston, Indianola, Saydel, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines.

Then to read Connie Cook's quote,

"Why assume that something is wrong because our kids don't have as many violations of the good conduct policy as the suburban kids?" Hoover High Principal Connie Cook said."

Hoover's Cook pointed out that if students are caught outside the sports season, they're not in violation.

"For example," Cook said, "last year we had two students who came to a school event and had been drinking. Both were suspended under the school discipline policy. However, one was also involved in a varsity sport, so he had to sit out a third of the season. The other student was not active in a sport right then, although she was later in the year. So, she didn't have to sit out any of her sport. That seemed unfair. One student paid more of a price than the other one did."

One loud word crossed my mind while reading this mind set of Connie Cook - ENABLER.
Many of these athletes are involved in more than one sport and activity.
Perhaps, in place of signing a code of conduct for each sport, ONE code of conduct should be signed at the beginning of each school year. By signing, the teen is then allowed to participate in any extracurricular activity during the year. And as an ambassador of the school, the teens must present themselves accordingly at all times during the entire school year or the contract could be declared null and void. They would risk forfeiting participation in extracurricular activities for the rest of the year. If you choose to represent your school in any way, I think the school should have a legal right to expect you to conduct yourself in an honorable way.
Most businesses do. Welcome to the real world.
Good conduct and good character are never "out of season".

These are underage children. As adults it is our God given duty to guide them, teach them, and protect them. Why are so many leaders afraid to lead?

Space.....

Camp in the snow - $$$
Get your house and car trashed while your gone - $$$$
Get the playground all to yourselves - Too cold outside to care!

This was taken that infamous week in March.

Yes folks - it's time for my Photo Friday picture of the week. The rain finally let up for a brief and I did venture out to the camper today. I got a lot done and organized. I also sowed more grass seed. It probably has all washed into the neighbor's yard.
Rand was able to spend a couple of more hours on the roof shingling. From the sounds of the weather forecast and his schedule, it will probably be next week before he gets more time up there. The weekend is looking better, but he has to work the whole thing. Rand's birthday is this Sunday. He actually has a Sunday birthday and has to work - not fair. Oh the joys of being a grown-up.
Rand birthday trivia -- Donna survived a trip, in hard labor, on a tractor, across a field, with toddler Rick under one arm, to get to a neighbor for help. (Bill was at work - no home phone) Rand was born, without medical assistance, in the labor room. It was Mother's Day.
Calls from afar
My little brother Alan actually called me! Lesia is out of state and he got so lonely and desperate - he called his big sister! Actually, he heard through the grapevine and he couldn't believe - I didn't call him the day I got my Jeep. It's a Jeep thing - you wouldn't understand.....
My goal was to surprise him with pictures. I took them and printed them off. I was going to mail them to him right away with news of our "newest family member". (It is fun when the mail is good news.) And they were still sitting on the desk weeks later when he called. I mailed them out right after we talked!
Alan complained about my blog. He wants more informative hard hitting news story type stuff. I reminded him - that didn't seem to go over "real popular" on my sight. ; )
Alan thinks I ramble on too much. Alan said, "Reading it is like.......Listening to my sister talk." I took it as a compliment since that is the writing style I aim for! The only problem I really have is expressing the depth of my sarcasm, getting it to really shine through. Some people read very literally. I'm not literal, I'm sarcastic. A lot. If you could hear my voice tones, it is really quite a gift.
It has been interesting raising kids with this attitude.
Rob and I can take one sarcastic remark and build it into a whole comedy act.
Sandra takes it all personally and gets mad. (She gets that from her dad) (don't go away mad - just go away *rimshot*)
Willie likes playing straight man to my remarks. I'm Ralph Cramden and he is my Ed Norton. It took me a long time to figure that out.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Okay, time for bed. I just woke up sitting here asleep at the computer.

finally, rain
but yet too soon!
Our yards and gardens desperately need this rain, but Rand still isn't done with the side two of the new shingles. He does have the new roof on the screen porch, but that is it. Last night's rain proved we haven't got our leak conquered yet. He tried tonight to work, but rain chased him inside. It's rainy, muddy, and much cooler - we must be going camping soon.....
Speaking of things that leak
- we have Willie's downstairs bath gutted now. The toilet needed a new beeswax seal. If I had to pull the toilet to do that, I wanted to lay down some new tile. Before I lay new tile I want to paint the walls.....And put up a new ceiling....Since we are making it pretty, I got him a new toilet seat. I must stop drinking Diet Dew while working downstairs. It just makes the need to go upstairs - more frequent. I really hate stairs.
I might live now
I finally remembered to get my new Epipens for the season. New packaging this year for those who have to carry two. Very Cool! I'm not afraid of bees, but I am afraid to try to kill them. My depth perception sucks, and if you don't get them solidly killed - you just anger them more. I had a close call last weekend with a bee. I ended up sucking him up with a shop vac in mid flight. I'm also deadly allergic to spiders, but that requires an anti-venom antidote in the ER.
Even mosquitoes can scar me. And yet, I love the outdoors.
Green things
I found a couple of more plants to add to my old fashioned shade garden. Jacobs Ladder and Jack in the Pulpit. I also got a few annuals to add to pots.
I finally got Willie's graduation announcements out. Hopefully everybody will get theirs within the next couple of days. My organization skills were a bit off today.

Anonymous said...

Mrs. Glazebrook~

I completely understand where you're coming from, but I also don't believe the news and the paper were that pervasive. You could have said "No comment" and left it at that for a while, but I understand you want your stuff back, I would too, but you just need to move on. As far as the trust part, I have a few issues. You said it's amazing how little trust parents have for teens, which, as a member of the younger generation, I completely identify with that. However, it's all this negative publicity we get from enraged parents like you that gives us a bad rap. I am involved in the community a lot, and if people like you put that much effort into publicizing the good things teenagers do these days, maybe Des Moines wouldn't be getting such a bad rap. And one other thing, if Willie really didn't want those kids at his house, why couldn't he have called the cops on them? Granted, he would have lost a few friends, but it sure has to beat you going public about it!

8:16 PM

Welcome
I am very glad to have a member of the younger generation willing to stand up in defense of your generation.
I'm not out to ruin the reputation of all teens. I was a good kid and I know just how un-noticed that goes. But 25 years after high school, I have nothing to regret about my actions. And I am at this age still trying to always make the good and honest choices. And this is not about just the stuff that was taken. There is something more dangerous to worry about. It needs fixed.
A fault I have always had, (ask my mom) I have always had a heart that wants to fix the world. There are kids who are not going to make it very far with these behaviors. Their very lives are at risk. I can't just walk away from that. If one person wakes up, realizes, and changes their way and leads a better life - all this is worth it. And I will probably never know if that happens. I just trust that God will use this event for His will and someone's heart to be healed and made whole.

As for the bad press:
Bad news will always sell more than the good news. That is an unfortunate 'norm' of life and news. It's not that the kids don't deserve the "good job" pats, but there are a lot of people who do. It doesn't make the ratings, doesn't sell advertising, - that's just not what society is after as a whole. People rarely gossip to share good news. (And reporters are very persuasive and I always have something to say and it has never been, No Comment. I didn't have anything to hide.) So far, there is no good story to share about this incident. Otherwise I would write about it. Willie is doing better attitude wise. We aren't leaning as hard on him as we were, but we are not done yet.

challenge
I challenge the teens who want to change this perception of bad teens - to do so. Make this your legacy - here's how you can change the world. How about a little good news? But it needs to be human lifting, life changing, no matter how small, type of news. Not the good all stuff of look how talented that one is. Let's forget brains and brawn and find the hearts of this generation. Maybe a new column for your school papers? Achievements in music, brains, art, athletics are rightly earned achievements. But what if people started to really be valued on what was done for their neighbor?
"Yes, Jane aced her SATs, was accepted at Julliard, and made the winning play for the team all on the same day". But what if the really big story was that she helped out a sick neighbor by preparing meals for them all week? What would happen to society if the greatest thing that can happen, the biggest news story there is: we are taking care of each other. Gives me goosebumps just to imagine it. I'd like to live on that planet. I've gotten to participate in some volunteer activities, that have changed my life. I challenge teens to change your life the same way.
Find a worth outside the measuring sticks that surround you. Find your value as a person.

Hindsight
Willie does wish he had made other choices, a lot of other choices. Having this Mom in the middle of anything is never a first choice with any of my kids. That's how they 'policed' each other growing up- "You know you can't hide that from mom and you know what she'll think of it and what she will do". That's all it used to take to have good kids who followed the rules. It always worked for their visiting friends too.

Nothing but blue skies......

This of course was Rand on the roof last week. This side is completely done. I really love the new color. The material for the screen porch roof arrived yesterday, so he can start on the back side. Rand thought it was too windy today to try.
We do finally have our screen porch back to pretty and full use. We moved our comfy chair sets out of the office and our small TV out there. We can enjoy TV, relaxing, and birds at the feeders just a few feet (or less) away. Much to Great Grandma's delight - I finally have decided to throw away my old platform rocker that has spent years on the porch. She has tried to help me with that years before, but I always catch her and bring it back inside. ;) I will grant you it is not the "prettiest" chair, but I do love the way it sits - bare springs and all. The new chairs are just as comfortable, offer matching footstools, and swivel. So if you're tired of watching the birds frolic in the lilac bushes, you can swing around and watch the shade garden grow, or the pond waterfall, or the garage.....Just sit there....We have now decided to shingle it as well for esthetics viewing purposes. We have to wait until the bird family nesting in the gutters moves on.
We still have the wicker furniture. My paint job from last year is holding up well, but I am going to have to break down and buy new cushions this year.
I cleaned out the area under the deck and Rand hauled all small pet cages, aquariums, and accessories to Goodwill. Every time I noticed them I would think about how nice it would be to have another guinea pig, or another hamster, or more fish, or.... I had to let the things go. It was too much temptation. I need to stick to pets that will travel well with me. And even Girlfriend and Kizzie are getting a bit up there in years for that. We still have some other furniture to donate. And need to take a trip to the dump. And haul some brush away. Ode to spring, will the joys never end?

my mom's day
Rand got me a hot pink rose bush, we planted it out front.
Willie, who proved adopting feels no different than giving birth, gave me a gift certificate to Younkers. Sandra, who proved an easy delivery (following a 10 month pregnancy and three separate labors) means you will pay for many years to come in other ways, called and chatted. Rob, who had the biggest head a mother should ever have to deal with in a delivery, did this.
Just proves there is a brain in all that big head and a pretty big heart in there as well.
I spent the day very quietly, Rand and Willie both had to work today. I did a little garden tilling (hey - it's a little garden) and transplanted every thing from the flower bed under the maple tree to the shade garden. Things weren't growing well under the tree. I'm going to work on building up the soil for awhile, then replant anew. Spent some time just sipping sun tea and reading.
Neighbor Jim gave me an errant fern start he dug out of his rose bed. It now has a new home in the shade garden. We also reminisced about the summer of the lizard chase. It was a good summer to be a lizard on the loose. He enjoyed being free.

All my new transplants are doing very well and I can see evidence of new growth in almost everything. I gave up and watered everybody today. This state has been hit with storm after storm and Des Moines isn't getting the rain. We have clouds, wind, occasional thunder, I even saw lightening in the wee hours of this morning. But we have not had a substantial rainfall for awhile and it is starting to show. We may have to go camping just for the good of the community gardens and yards.
I am out of things to do until I get some more plants bought. I'd like to plant a few more pots of annuals and a few more annuals for borders. This fall I want to add spring bulbs to the shade garden. As soon as my water plants are more established, I will re-introduce fish to my pond.
I have a very loud frog every night down by the pond now. Regular visits of at least one pair of cardinals. Finches of many colors. A dove that shows no fear or brains. Last night butterflies seem taken with us. The robins have been loving all the digging I've been doing, my garden is very ripe with earthworms now. Should be easy bait getting for fishing trips. Tonight, we saw a humming bird and I have yet to get my new feeder out. It's still on Rand's honey do list and it will require a ladder. We watched what appeared to be a mating dance between a pair of blackbirds. He puffed his feathers all out and danced around. Then he seemed to make a suggestion to her - so she hit him. Small world.
Yesterday, a squirrel was teasing the dogs by running up the tree and down the tree. All within a few feet of them. In Jim's yard. Fences make for good neighbors and brave squirrels.

spring fever
Yesterday, I escaped the city and went to visit friend (and relative) Bec, in Lucas county. When I lived in Southern Iowa we would have a day out together almost weekly. These days it seems we are lucky to get together once a season.
It was the first time I got to use the cruise control in my Jeep. It traveled very well. I took the back highways and avoided the interstate. Much nicer views of houses, farms, and small communities. It was a beautiful day to travel. Bec lives on the edge of Stephens Forest. When we were double dating, (our now respective husbands), we spent a lot of time in the forest. Our guys didn't take us to dinner and a movie - We went 4x4 on the back roads and less traveled areas. In the dead of winter. I think one of the memories that will always stand out most - is how cold an outhouse can be! (Our parents have no pity for us) This is the joy of dating rednecks. The Blue Collar Comedy tour has nothing on our guys.
Our fellows are related to each other. Russ is Rand's younger uncle. Russ and Bec served as best man and maid of honor at our wedding. We did the same for them one year later. And by those vows my best friend became my aunt. We prefer to think of each other as friends and not relatives. You can pick your friends.........
Bec and I have known each other since we were 8 years old. That's when my family moved to the area. Russ and Rand have been friends since Russ' birth. That's a lot of time between friends.
Bec and I enjoyed a nice morning of visiting. We 'did lunch' at the Shaft Steak House & Saloon in the booming town of Lucas (population of about 250). I had the best burger I have had in a very long time. You do forget how good small town fare is.
Afterwards we made a stop at Ellis Greenhouse.
This is the place where spring fever draws people from all over the state. (And Bec gets to work there!) It had been a year or two since I had shopped here. I was amazed by changes and growth. And you can't beat their prices for the quality of product. I bought several plants for my shade garden, (bluebells, forget me nots, astilbe, coral bells, and more) a couple of water plants for my pond, and a hanging fuschia. I also bought a few tomatoes (brandywine and cherry) - I have to plant tomatoes! I think it is in my DNA code. And someday, I will figure out how to make them grow in my shady yard! Actually, I can get them to grow into beautiful plants. Getting them to produce fruit is another matter. Every year I plant them in a different spot. Someday - I hope to find the spot that makes tomatoes! I want to work the tomatoes into a previously unworked area, so I'll harden them off while that is getting done. I got three climbing plants - a honeysuckle, clematis and a sweet pea. For those who know and care, the honeysuckle is on the NW corner of the house, the sweet pea by my old pump, and the clematis is on the NE corner of the garage. I would like to get a trellis for the honeysuckle, the others have plenty of things to climb on nearby.
I have quite a bit planted already.
It takes me much longer to get these things done than it use to. Luckily, I seem to have lost some of the urgency that use to accompany planting as well. The trip alone made quite an impression on my body by the time I finally arrived back home. Even if I were in a hurry, there really isn't anything I could do to make it go faster.
I also got a very pretty hummingbird feeder. I want to hang it by the front picture window, but can't decide how - it's the mechanics of the equation. Want to do it - don't want to damage new soffits. I might just have to get a shepards hook. Or Rand on a ladder.
Rand is almost done shingling the front half of the roof. In fact he is probably finishing it as I type. We had to special order a covering for the screen porch and it hasn't come in yet. (Not enough slope to shingle.) The patio must be done before Rand can start the backside of the roof. He'll get a short break from shingling - I'll probably hand him a shovel. Might send another load to Goodwill as well.
The old folks started camping with warmer weather this week. They are at a location where they have had much luck in years past with massive amounts of moral mushrooms. That is all I will say. (I'm hoping to procure a few for keeping this location secret)
Jeff and Tina had a small house fire. Their porch light was the source. If you recall they were having electrical problems when they first got their new home.
~Might be God intends for some people to live in the dark~

reading and thinking
I was reviewing the various comments I have received over the past week or so.
Adults seem to think you should trust an 18 year old adult
~or~
Adults seem to think you should never trust an 18 year old child.
Not much in the middle.
I'm also willing to bet you can pretty well guess how each adult personally behaved as teens; solely on the basis of their arguments here.
This may come as no surprise - I was a "good kid". I got good grades, always had at least one job, if not more. Helped out around the house with cooking and cleaning.
My parents were highly involved in Boy Scouts. Being the only girl with a big pile of younger brothers - I got left on my own frequently to watch the house when they would be gone on scout activities. And I was much younger in the beginning than a lot of the kids involved here. But I had proven myself mature enough for the responsibility. I was even allowed to have friends over. My parents knew and trusted my friends. Most of the time, I didn't have friends in - by my choice. I would just relish the time alone and enjoy having the whole house to myself.
Early in our senior year, my best friends and I even got to house sit for a week for a friend's brother. While friends and I were "on our own" that week, we never abused that trust. We were honored to have that trust bestowed on us and we thought it was quite a mature achievement. Over 25 years later, we still consider that a highlight of our senior year.
Thanks for trusting us with your home Bob and Cathy.
Some say 18 is just too young to house sit or be left alone.
I was 18 when I bought my first house.
Maybe some parents aren't setting the bar high enough?
Some people hire teens 18 and under to babysit their children. Some think 18 year olds still need babysitters. Exactly how old does that sitter need to be?
What has really struck me while reading today, are the comments from the teens. Besides not accepting responsibility for their own behavior and choices; the next most popular comment is, "Well, "he" was doing it too." Some have even expressed the desire for the next party to begin. Yes, they are Lemmings.
No teen besides Willie, has shown remorse. Not here any way. I'm sure some are real sorry they ever decided to cross my path.
No teens seem to be accepting a role as a positive leader or chastising their peers for their behaviors.
People will lump you all in together and judge you as a group. This is your generation. There are a lot of quality teens who don't deserve that. No one will fight that battle for you.
Believe it or not, I was quite a bit vocal and opinionated as a teen. (Really!) I would have thrown a fit (or at least a soap-box speech) to have been lumped into a group and not judged individually. I worked hard to earn the trust the adults put in me and it was worth it. I thrived on being an individual. I wasn't afraid to separate myself from a group, speak, and act for myself.
My folks had a rule when we were growing up of "If one gets it, they all get it". And boy, did we. My brothers and I learned pretty quickly to police each other.
In school, there were times when the entire class could be chastised or lose privileges due to the actions of a few. We were taught our behaviors would have effects on others. Like ripples on a pond, the ripples no matter how slight, will always reach the shoreline and the ripples are the cause of erosion.

speaking of lakes
Ripples are usually the start of my speech on honoring the "No Wake" signs on lakes. Sadly, there are adults that don't think "the rules" apply to them as well. They have no concern or care of how their actions may hurt others. Is there a body of water anywhere in Iowa that is clear and beautiful? I really want to know.
As a state, Iowa has not done a great job with our waterways. Even, according to the Register, ignored funds for that purpose. Yet, they want more tourists. My doctors have permanently banned me from recreation in Iowa lakes. Welcome to Iowa.

life bits
Rand has started the tedious chore of re-shingling our house. He works on it a couple of hours a day after work. It is looking pretty good and I really like the new color. Rand is a man of many talents!
Willie decided not to go to prom, but did attend after prom.
I've been doing a bit more planting. Still want to buy a little more to plant. I even got a water lily started in my pond. Bit by bit, I'm getting over this bacterial crud. I have good days and bad days yet. Still have a sore throat and ear aches. Still need naps. (That could be age and not illness related)

New party comments brought forward

Anonymous said...

sorry to say but i think your putting way to much blame on his "friends" and not him. hes at fault too. he was the one who invited his "friends" over and maybe he didnt invite the other kids but he had to have a little say about what went on in his house. if your perfect little angel is so responsible he woudlnt have invited anyone over in the first place. you think your angel didnt drink? get real...not all of the fault is on him true..but if it werent for him inviting his "friends" over for kool-aid and to watch a dvd nobody would have gotten raped none of your stuff would have been damaged or stolen. so next time think twice before you leave your angel home alone for 8 days.

Also why aren't you blaming any of this on yourself? If Willie is a responsible kid why did he throw that party? And you say he is "special" well if i were you I wouldnt leave him alone....No special kid of mine would ever be left alone. If your kid does things behind your back and lie about IMPORTANT things then something is wrong with the parents. Also about Willie being inoccent ask him what really went on. I bet you if you ask him if he did anything with a girl he will say he didn't..But that is a LIE, You may ask how i know this but I can't give out that information. So think twice before you go and blame others for your son's actions.

11:50 PM

Hoover student said...

Connie Cook is right for everything she did and said! I am supporting her fully!

You need to get your facts strait!

11:52 PM

Bear said...

I give up - I've re-read. I can't find the part where I call Willie "a perfect little angel". I don't ever remember saying those words, ever, about any of my kids.
And trust me - that phrase definetely hasn't come up since we have been home. He has been, and still is, being SEVERLY PUNISHED. I'm willing to bet his punishment is the most severe of any of involved kids.
Willie has admitted to ALL OF HIS wrong doings. And there were many. (Admitting wrong is an act of maturity, BTW) It is his peers names and their actions he has TRIED to protect. I'll guarantee - I don't know everything - yet. But I do know an awful lot. Makes my skin crawl.
Willie, normally, doesn't lie to us. And he didn't lie about the important things. All of our kids - have been taught since the beginning, the WORSE thing you can do is lie to us. We don't care what you did wrong and how bad you've screwed up - DO NOT LIE TO US. The worse punishment they could invoke was by telling a lie. And sometimes they found out the hard way.
That's probably what hurts us the most. Willie LIED. He wasn't left ALONE! I am so sick of hearing that word "ALONE"! We did regular calls, visits, checks, - and HE LIED TO US. He hid his friends and LIED about what was going on. He has completely lost our trust and that is probably the deepest loss for us and him. He has asked several times when we think we will have some trust in him again. We really can't give him an answer.
To Quote:
"If your kid does things behind your back and lie about IMPORTANT things then something is wrong with the parents."
I suppose your parents know every detail of your life then? Or are they as "screwed up" as we are?
Things get broke - We do get that. But some of the recklessness was just the beating on our stuff to cause damage. That - we don't get. Willie didn't steal from us. We did "steal" quite a bit of his stuff from him. He keeps asking when (or if) he will ever get his stuff back. I just ask him, "When am I getting my stuff back?"

Any victim of a crime who has ever had anything taken from them - understands what a personal violation this is.

I don't consider a sporadic short term memory loss all that "special". We have always treated Willie as a normal kid. The only thing really special about Willie was the size of his EGO. I have taken that away as well.
You "know" stuff, but you can't give out "that information".
I'm guessing you may be the little prostitute Willie was with. (May be the wrong word - I think "prostitute" means you get compensation for your services and my understanding is it was free all week) As many guys as some girls were taking care of - I even stopped the interrogation and asked Willie, "Were the girls were at least being "compensated" for this much work?" Nope.
OR were you "just watching" the action? I understand quite a bit was done in the open.
PARENTS - are you paying attention??? THESE are the games our kids are playing.
A basic doctor exam for STDs (including HIV) is not out of order for several of the teens that were here. (Did you know syphilis is on the rise among teens in the USA?) That was once thought almost eradicated here.
I'm even a bit curious to see if the "nine months phenomena" will apply to this party.
I do love babies.

For the second poster - I believe the word you meant to use was STRAIGHT.
I wouldn't be "too supportive" of your learning institution if I were you. You may not be the best example.

5:56 AM

Are you listening?
I really hate having to repeat things, but:
Parents - it is all about the kids.
These sexual behaviors, added to the underage drinking and illegal drug use, are very dangerous!
This wasn't the first party and it won't be the last.
Most teens do act as if they are immortal.
Some find out only in crisis or death, they are not.
Now add the tresspassing, vandalism, and thefts.
Not only are they a danger to themselves, but also to society.