VERY SCARY!

TO read your kids' texts or NOT? Where does their privacy start and end in trying to keep them safe? What are our responsibilities as parents start and end? I'm sure that there will be parents on both sides. Some who will think that it could never happen to their child, but since we are not around out kids at school and can not overhear every conversation in passing, HOW do we keep our kids safe from this? Then it makes think of emails. Does the privacy protection we have on our kids' accounts bar this type of message from a friend or even a stranger or spam?

Nearly 1 in 3 older teens gets ‘sexting’ messages

Study says 6 percent of those as young as 12 have received racy texts

Thirty percent of 17-year-olds who have cell phones say they have received "sexting" photos or video messages, according to a new report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Eight percent of 17-year-olds say they have sent such sexually suggestive images. Among teens ages 12 to 17 years old, 15 percent say they have received nude or nearly nude images of someone they know via text messaging on their cell phones, while 4 percent say they have sent such photos. Among 12- and 13-year olds, 6 percent say they have received "sext messages."

"It’s an issue that teens grapple with and deal with in their lives, and one that deserves attention," said Amanda Lenhart, Pew senior research specialist who worked on the "Teens and Sexting" report.

"In our focus groups, we heard that plenty of teens had experienced this, either by sending the suggestive images, receiving them or by encountering them second-hand on a passed-around cell phone, hearing about friends doing it, hearing about it in the hallway."

Sexting is gaining national attention, with at least two teen suicides in the past 18 months associated with the problem, and lawmakers and prosecutors around the country grappling with how to handle such cases.

The Pew report, based on focus groups with 800 teens in Denver, Atlanta and New York, mirrors the findings of a recent poll by the Associated Press and MTV of more than 1,200 teens which concluded that more than a quarter of them have been involved in sexting in some form.

Phone is 'major source of content' for teens "The (cell) phone is such a vital part of these teens' lives that it isn’t surprising that it’s a major source of content for them — both positive content and content that’s more worrisome," Lenhart said.

In a 2004 survey of teens, Pew said, 18 percent of 12-year-olds had a cell phone, compared to 58 percent of 12-year-olds now. Five years ago, 64 percent of 17-year-olds had a cell phone, compared to 83 percent now. In addition, cell phones themselves have changed dramatically since 2004, with many of them now having Internet access.

Teens who pay their own cell phone bills are "more likely to send 'sexts,' " Pew said in the report, with 17 percent saying they have done so, compared to 3 percent of teens "who do not pay for, or only pay a portion of the cost" of their cell phone bills.

Text messaging is an add-on charge for most wireless users, and some parents monitor their children's' wireless use, including text messaging, as well as the content of those messages.

"Just 9 percent of teens who sent sexy images by text had parents who restricted the number of texts or other messages they could send; 28 percent of teens who didn't send these texts had parents who limited their child's texting," the Pew report said. "One younger high school boy told us that he never sends or receives sexually suggestive images via text because 'my mom goes through my phone.' However, another high school boy described how he password-protected images to keep others from viewing them."

Happens 'far more than any poll can show' Parry Aftab, executive director of WiredSafety.org, said sexting is much more of a problem than most parents realize.

"It's not 'that kid' who's doing it, it's your kid," she said. "If your kid hasn’t taken a (suggestive) picture and shared it with somebody else, in all likelihood they’ve seen one, they may have possession of one or they may be sending them around. "And it’s happening far more than any poll can show," she said. "Many more kids are sexting at much younger ages than people think.

"They do it at slumber parties, they do it in the gym, in the locker rooms, where they all dance around, and somebody takes out their cell phone camera and take pictures of the others" and then shares the the photos with others by phone or posting them online.

Is this a bit overboard...

From the Canada Free Press : First Lady Requires More Than Twenty Attendants July 7, 2009

Written by Dr. Paul L. Williams

"In my own life, in my own small way, I have tried to give back to this country that has given me so much," she said. "See, that's why I left a job at a big law firm for a career in public service, "... Michelle Obama

No, Michele Obama does not get paid to serve as the First Lady and she doesn't perform any official duties. But this hasn't deterred her from hiring an unprecedented number of staffers to cater to her every whim and to satisfy her every request in the midst of the Great Recession. Just think, Mary Lincoln was taken to task for purchasing china for the White House during the Civil War. And Mamie Eisenhower had to shell out the salary for her personal secretary from her husband's salary.

Total Personal Staff members for other first ladies paid by taxpayers: Mamie Eisenhower : 1 paid for personally out of President's salary Jackie Kennedy: 1 Roseline Carter: 1 Barbara Bush: 1 Hilary Clinton: 3 Laura Bush: 1 Michele Obama: 22

How things have changed! If you're one of the tens of millions of Americans facing certain destitution, earning less than subsistence wages stocking the shelves at Wal-Mart or serving up McDonald cheeseburgers, prepare to scream and then come to realize that the benefit package for these servants of Ms Michelle are the same as members of the national security and defense departments and the bill for these assorted lackeys is paid by YOU, John Q. Public: Michele Obama's personal staff: 1. $172,200 - Sher, Susan (Chief Of Staff)
2. $140,000 - Frye, Jocelyn C. (Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy And Projects For The First Lady)
3. $113,000 - Rogers, Desiree G. (Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary for Mrs. Obama)
4. $102,000 - Johnston, Camille Y. (Special Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the First Lady)
5. $100,000 - Winter, Melissa E. (Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
6. $90,000 - Medina , David S. (Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
7. $84,000 - Lel yveld, Catherine M. (Director and Press Secretary to the First Lady)
8. $75,000 - Starkey, Frances M. (Director of Scheduling and Advance for the First Lady)
9. $70,000 - Sanders, Trooper (Deputy Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady)
10. $65,000 - Burnough, Erinn J. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)
11. $64,000 - Reinstein, Joseph B. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)
12. $62,000 - Goodman, Jennifer R. (Deputy Director of Scheduling and Events Coordinator For The First Lady)
13. $60,000 - Fitts, Alan O. (Deputy Director of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady)
14. $57,500 - Lewis, Dana M. (Special Assistant and Personal Aide to the First Lady)
15. $52,500 - Mustaphi, Semonti M. (Associate Director and Deputy Press Secretary To The First Lady)
16. $50,000 - Jarvis, Kristen E. (Special Assistant for Scheduling and Traveling Aide To The First Lady)
17. $45,000 - Lechtenberg, Tyler A. (Associate Director of Correspondence For The First Lady)
18. $43,000 - Tubman, Samanth a (Deputy Associate Director, Social Office)
19. $40,000 - Boswell, Joseph J. (Executive Assistant to the Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
20. $36,000 - Armbruster, Sally M. (Staff Assistant to the Social Secretary)
21. $35,000 - Bookey, Natalie (Staff Assistant)
22. $35,000 - Jackson, Deilia A. (Deputy Associate Director of Correspondence for the First Lady)
(total = $1,591,200 in annual salaries)

There has NEVER been anyone in the White House at any time who has created such an army of staffers whose sole duties are the facilitation of the First Lady's social life. One wonders why she needs so much help, at taxpayer expense.

Note: This does not include makeup artist Ingrid Grimes-Miles, 49, and "First Hairstylist" Johnny Wright, 31, both of whom traveled aboard Air Force One to Europe.

Copyright 2009 Canada Free Press.Com canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/12652

Yes, I know, The Canadian Free Press had to publish this perhaps because America no longer has a free press and the USA media is too scared that they might be considered racist or suffer at the hands of Obama. Sorry America !

SICKENING.........ISN'T IT?

by Dr. Paul L. Williams

Better late than never...

While watching Hudson at his Pre-Kindergarten graduation I realized that I may be in for it when he is older (if this clip is any indication). He and his friend Cole are quite the pair, never argue, never disagree, can't see enough of one another, laugh at each other constantly and are big hams together. Everytime that I watch this it cracks me up. This is what I would think fourth or fifth grade boys would be doing.

Open House of Orange Blossom Society

Saturday, September 19 through Sunday, September 20 - Orange Blossom's Society Grand Opening

Orange Blossom Society, a new arts enrichment center, indoor play space and social hub for families, celebrates its grand opening in downtown Redmond. With the goal of creating a space for kids to blossom while parents recharge and connect, Orange Blossom Society will offer an array of concurrent classes for children and adults. At the free housewarming party, a variety of sample classes will be available - art, music, language and yoga for children plus boot camps, massage, yoga and personal training for adults. Families will also have a chance to meet the instructors, take guided tours and enjoy refreshments.

Where: Orange Blossom Society, 16715 N.E. 79th St., Redmond, WA 98052

When: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Who: All Ages

How: Just show up

Cost of event: Free

For more info: 425-883-2400 or http://www.orangeblossomsociety.com/

We are going to try to hit this fun grand opening and check out what they are all about. Sounds like a fun time.

Swashbucklin' FUN on Saturday 9/19/2009

Saturday, September 19 - Pirate Day - Country Village

AARGH! YE BE INVITED FER A SPECIAL EVENT OF TREASURE SEAKIN FOR YE PIRATES AT HEART! CHART YER COURSE FER PLAYGROUND AT COUNTRY VILLAGE. WE BE A MEETIN AT 11:00 AM FER SOME SWASHBUCKLIN FUN, GRUB, LADS AND LASSIE FRIENDLY GROG AND A SPECIAL VISIT FROM CAPTAIN SCAREFACE AND HIS CREW FROM THE PIRATES OF TREASURE ISLAND!

Where: Country Village Playground, 23718 Bothell Everett Hwy, Bothell, WA

When: 11:00am-2:00pm

Who: Everyone!

How: Just show up!

Cost of event: Free

For more info: http://www.countryvillagebothell.com/

We are planning on going to this if anyone wants to tag along...shoot me over an email or text!

FEELING TERRIBLE!

The kids and I cleaned Hickorys' cage the other day and bought new bedding for her. Since then she hasn't been eating (VERY unusual for her!!) and has been having labored breathing. I've been worried about her for a few days and keeping an eye on her to see if she is getting worse.

So tonight I thought maybe she can smell the cleaner we used to scrub her cage with and doesn't like it. So I emptied a brand newly filled cage and scrubbed it out again with just hot water.

When I got the new bedding out to refill her cage I noticed that it smelled, like what I thought was the cleaner, but it was the pellets!!!! When we were at the pet store we bought a different kind of pellets than we have bought before but I figured it looks the same how different could they be?

Well, let me tell you...they are different.

Moral for all you pet owners, buy only the stuff that you have used in the past and know is okay for your pet.

My poor Hickory. New bedding coming, the old stand by this time! Nothing makes me feel worse than a pet suffering since they can't say "Hey lady this stuff stinks, get me the old kind!"

Little 'sis's bridal shower

On August 8th my mom had a bridal shower for my sister, Nicole. It was a fabulous day, wonderful weather, great friends and family getting together with one mission: "embarrassing her!"

She was sufficiently embarrassed with many of the gifts, which I as her older sister, thought was great. Nothing like getting to see your sibling squirm and turn red in the face, AND not get in trouble for it!

Nicole embarrassed

her rehersal bouquet

Melva, Mom, Nicole, Me, Leanne

Nicole & I (sisters)

Melva, (fam. friend) Mom, Leanne (my mother inlaw)

Chrystal, Nicole, Jeanelle (college roommates) Tiffany (h.s. friend)

Heather, Nicole, Jeanie, (cousins) Dede, Diannna (aunts)

Mom & Nicole

Just a bit more embarrassment for you sister!!

~Love you Nicole!! xoxo

parenting rewards

The job of being a parent is never ending and a journey of learning for you as it is for your kids. As a parent I'm expected to know what to do in every situation or know how to react when something happens, but in truth I don't always know the "right" reaction or answer for every situation.

I always try to do what is best for the kids even if it may not be what they think is the best but explain why I came to the conclusion that I did and hope that they don't get to upset by it. But inevitably they will be upset by some of my decisions. Kids are kids and they usually want their way. As the parent I suppose that I get my way more than they get theirs...but isn't that just how it goes when your a kid and you aren't the one having to do the work for the request?

I read an interesting tidbit as follows:

What does your child ask when bored? Is it, "I'm bored. What can I do?" or is it, "I'm bored. What can I watch?" If it is the latter, you are raising a future watcher, not a future doer. And if this is the case, my heart goes out to your child.

Becoming a watcher is not a recipe for future happiness and productivity. Brain research shows that the brains of doers and the brains of watchers are different as a result of the way that person spends his/her time.

Do your kids a big favor and restrict electronic entertainment to 30 minutes per day. Turn your child's bedroom into a bedroom instead of a multi-media entertainment center. Take the TV out of the child's room, and put the computer in a public area of the house.

This is not illegal. It is the act of a responsible parent. If you have any doubts, read the works of researchers such as Dr. Stanley Greenspan.

When your child complains about this, answer with, "I know it's hard, but I'm your parent. It's my job."

What type of child are mine? This is something to pay attention to because it will influence how they are in school and what type of parenting should we be doing to assist our kids, in everyaspect of their lives. I love this idea of teaching your kids to use their brains not just being a vegetable. I'm not a huge advocate for tv and gaming systems.

I recently had a friends four boys over for the afternoon/evening, for a few days, and when I told them that we wouldn't be using the game system and that we were going to go outside and play in the pool, on the tramp, in the hot tub, in the sandbox or on the swings set. At first they were unsure about that but when they got outside and started having fun they didn't even remember about the games. I LOVE this!

In my opinion that is one thing that kids should be doing. Playing outside, unleashing their imagination, observing the world around them, interacting with one another. It also aids in sleeping well and exercising when they aren't even knowing that they are doing it because they are to busy having fun.

As a parent I try to think "ok, how will this decision impact my kids, and myself, down the road?" I try to think long term as kids tend to repeat an action or request when they have had it validated in the past.

Being a parent is the hardest job I will ever have and the most rewarding one that I could ever hope for.

The reward: getting a giant, pop your head off hugs and loves or seeing them smile with pride when they accomplish something they are struggling with.

VBS last week

(Chloe is in the very back row, center)

Last week was our churches VBS program. It was Son Rock Kids Camp theme. There were around 250 kids attending. I was a group leader for the 5 year olds. I stared out with 10 kids but ended up with 13 by weeks end. That was quite a few kids, we didn't fit in our row so the kids squeezed together on the chairs.(one good thing about small bodies) It was a lot of fun to meet new kids and watch how they intereacted with each activity and to each other. By weeks end I had TWO kiddos accept Jesus with me and that was so AWESOME! I was completely wiped out by Friday but it was so worth it.

Summer reading...

So summer is here, school is all over, but my child the book worm, A.K.A. Chloe, has been a reading bandit this summer. She has logged in 1,500 minutes of reading.

We went to the library today and the kids turned in their sheet marking the minutes and books that they have read. Chloe received an art set for reading a 1,000 minutes and entered her name in for a drawing with the grand prize being a laptop computer!!! How cool would that be if she won??!! What a great incentive the library system is putting on this summer for kids.

I love to see my kids read. I don't care if it by themselves, to one another or me reading to them. It is so great for them to learn to use their imaginations.

Long time no talk...

Well, it has been so long since I've blogged. Part of it has been procrastination part of it has been just unbelievably busy. There was the end of school stuff for the kids and PTA. Then there were all of our birthdays all right in a row. Then VBS. I keep thinking I'll do it tomorrow, then tomorrow comes and there is no time or I'm to tired to even think of anything to say or to put into word what I'm thinking. There has just been so much going on so far this summer that I can't keep up with life lately.

I remember summers where going to the lake every day and swimming. I don't recall life being busy like this. Is it a new way that our lives are going, that society pushes us into, or do we make them this way so that we don't "GET BORED"? Why is this a bad thing again? Idle hands are the devils work? But are they really? Do we teach our kids how to relax and decompress? They learn by watching us that in turn helps me to do it if only for that reason. Mike would completely disagree witht his statement. He has been telling me that I need to STOP. I'll admit this is not a strong point for me. I have to really work on it. I am to anal to just let things go.

At any rate, I am trying to get back to my blogging....

Mother's Day 2009

Today was a great time with my kids. We worked out in the yard getting the pond cleaned out and weeded then we went for a 3 mile bike ride, our destination had ice cream cones waiting for us and the dollar store for a little treat and then home for more weeding (me) and then the kids helped plant my Mother's Day plants. Mike made one of my favorites for dinner, bbq salmon. I just got everything done before the rains came. I'm wearing my necklaces that the kids made for me.

Happy Mother's Day to all of my fellow mothers!

Rural Housing Loan...heard of it?

Have you ever heard of the USDA Rural Development loan? I never had either until I took a class on Wednesday. This is an incredible program! If the home that you are looking to buy is an eligible property then you can see if you qualify. You may be very suprised how high the income limits are.

Rural Housing Advantages:

1. Little or NO down payment or out of pocket costs

2. NO mortgage insurance

3. NOT limited to first time home buyers

4. Fixed rate loan

5. Up to 6% seller concessions allowed

6. Max loan amount $417K

Interestd in finding out more info check out this web site.
http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?NavKey=home@1

Help Camp Korey with your donations!

Many of you may not know what Camp Korey is, so here is a brief run down. It was originally the Carnation Milk Farm, in Carnation. It was bought out by Nestle several years ago and now it is Camp Korey. It is the ONLY CAMP IN THE WORLD for children with mitochondrial disease.

Historic Carnation Farm is being cast in a new role by movie star Paul Newman.

"I've never seen any spot that any camp has been in that has the potential that this does. My god, it's stunning," said Newman.

The stunning setting is about to become one of his Hole in the Wall camps for sick or disabled kids. He made the big announcement on the lush grounds being bought from Nestle.

"If I'm going to leave a legacy it's not going to be my films or anything else that I've done politically. It's going to be these camps," said Newman.

It's going to be called Camp Korey. Named after the son of the camp's co-founder and Costco Vice President Tim Rose. He came up with the idea just before Korey lost his battle with bone cancer two years ago.

"Korey is going to live on out here and in everything that we do," said Rose. "Every child who comes to Camp Korey will know the story or Korey Rose."

Like the all the other Hole in the Wall Camps, Camp Korey will be free to any sick or disabled kid who wants to come.

Danny Kayne was 12 when he was diagnosed with bone cancer. He says going to camp was key to his recovery.

"My concerns were not necessarily was I going to die. It was what activity was I going to do today. Was it fishing or boating, was I going to climb a wall?" said Kayne.

Newman built his first camp back in the 80s.

"I just hoped the camp we were building would survive let alone. They're growing like mushrooms now. It's wonderful," said Newman.

And a beautiful place for kids to come and just be kids.

THIS IS HOW YOU CAN HELP. The camp is having it annual GARAGE SALE this Saturday, 8-4:30, and you can donate items for it. The goal is to raise $10,000 which is the cost to run the camp for ONE day. Please help. You can drop off items April 15-17th at the farm, 28901 Carnation Farm Rd. N.E., Carnation, 8am - 7pm.

Happy Easter

The kids made this poster for Easter.

Fast Facts, just for fun!

I love stupid facts...

More money is spent on gardening than any other hobby.

"Lollipop" is the longest word typed with the right hand.

Every second, Americans collectively eat 100lbs. of Chocolate.

February 1865 is the only month recorded in history not to a full moon.

"Dreamt" is the only English word ending with 'mt.'

A Goldfish has a memory span of 3 seconds.

A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.

The word "set" has more definitions than any other word in the English language.

"Stewardess" is the longest word typed with only the left hand.

What to do?

The sun is finally out and I can't decide what to do first! Hudson and I are on our own all day and we're sitting here stymied with so many project that need worked on. It is quite chilly up here still also and I'm thinking I want to wait for it get above freezing before heading out side. I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold. I don't like it! But I am VERY excited to see the sun out.

Where is my daughter?

So Spring Break is under way now. Chloe is already on her first sleep tonight. We will have her home for 2 days only and all of the other days she is gone. I love that she can go to anyones home and feel comfortable and not home sick but I miss her after a while. And Hudson really misses her, he loves his big sister.



I know, I could tell her no she can't go but she has such a great opportunity to spend time with her cousins, Aunt Di & Uncle Dan. She loves going over to her cousin, Daniel, house. She makes great memories over there and has really formed strong bonds with her extended family.

She is very fortunate to have family close that she can stay with.

BUT I still miss her!

Why Test for Radon?

According to the Surgeon General of the United States, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer within the USA.

Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). The numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Report and 2002 National Safety Council Reports.

Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths, but if your home has high radon levels and you smoke, then your risk of lung cancer is especially high. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association agree that long term exposure to elevated levels of radon pose a significant health risk to you and your family. Therefore, since radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, the only way to determine if radon is in your home is by testing.

Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). The numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Report and 2002 National Safety Council Reports.

Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths, but if your home has high radon levels and you smoke, then your risk of lung cancer is especially high. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association agree that long term exposure to elevated levels of radon pose a significant health risk to you and your family. Therefore, since radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, the only way to determine if radon is in your home is by testing.

FDIC and Loan Pools

Washington Report: FDIC and Loan Pools

The Obama administration's latest plans to bring relief to the financial markets have been dominating the news from Washington, but it's far from clear whether they'll actually produce more money for people to buy houses.

Here's why: Although the Treasury's and FDIC's programs almost certainly will help major banks clean some of the toxic suprime mortgages and commercial real estate securities out of their portfolios, that doesn't mean the banks will turn around and extend new mortgages to consumers.

That's because there's no "quid pro quo" in this program. The FDIC and Treasury are essentially helping banks sell off loan pools and securities at discounts to private investors and "public-private" joint-venture funds, but there's no requirement that the banks do anything in particular with the money.

Banks can take the sales proceeds and simply use them to bolster their capital positions. They can also wait for a higher price and sell nothing.

Of course there is a chance that some banks will take the money and plow it into parts of the mortgage market that really need it at the moment, like jumbo mortgages in high-cost housing areas throughout California, in Florida, Washington, D.C., the New York metropolitan and New England.

The Bank of America is leading the way on the move into jumbos -- loans above $730,000. Even without selling its own toxic mortgage assets, it has begun making an aggressive push into big home loans -- offering up to one and a half million dollar mortgages to borrowers with good credit and minimum 20 percent equity. Fixed interest rates are in the high five percent range.

You might ask: why would sophisticated investors have any interest whatsoever in the "bad" loans and securities on the banks' books? Why would pension funds want to buy somebody else's garbage? Here's why. Because those assets are better than garbage. Subprime mortgage backed securities and loan pools owned by the banks might have high rates of default and foreclosure: say 30 percent to 40 percent.

But that means 60 to 70 percent of the borrowers in these securities are still paying on time. The cash flows produced by those borrowers are worth something. And some of the delinquent borrowers may be salvageable through loan modifications and rate reductions.

How much will investors pay for these damaged goods? Since there's a lot of federal guarantees involved in the whole program -- and private investors won't need to put up a lot of equity -- the Obama administration hopes they'll pay whatever is necessary to get the banks to sell.

Written by Kenneth R. Harney March 30, 2009

Foreclosure Homes...to buy or not to buy?

The Naked Truth About Short Sales And Pre-Foreclosures.

It looked so appealing on MLS, didn't it. The price is $90,000 below list/sale from two years ago, in a decent and workable area; your buyers are not only qualified but ready to go with their loan package, and the home? On market for 135 days. What could possibly be wrong?

Everything.

From special As-Is bank addendums and prerequisites such as dictating what type of lender and loan the seller will accept, to winterized and locked down homes buyers are expected to restore during the inspection process, greatly extended escrow days and lots of last minute grenades going off before closing and recording, the migraine headaches we never had before are festering back left of forehead.

It is true, especially now in Seattle, the Short Sale real estate industry has emerged as a huge segment of your Realtor's efforts in representing your purchase. And yes, it is indeed exciting to see SO many wonderful opportunities, but my advice is to proceed with caution and stay close to your agent, keep the phone by your bedside and increase your minutes package with the calling plan.

There are many, many pitfalls about this new market of shorts and preforeclosures. During the Go-Go years of 2003 - 2007 it was not unusual to waive disclosures and increase price to win the home. Today, banks want as many waivers as they can get and it's all about negotiation and justification of price.

Don't end up with someone else's nightmare. Be careful. Communicate. Stay centered. Be unemotional. Maybe, just maybe, that Short Sale could be yours.

PETS...

I hate when the family pet(s) don't feel, act or look like themselves.

They can't tell you what is bothering them, you have to figure it out by yourself. And how long does this take us? How long had they been feeling bad before we noticed?

Over the years Mike & I have had 2 Dobermans, 1 German Shepard, 1 Great Dane and 4 cats. And everyone of them at some point died one way or another. (Yes Lisa they do.) We spent thousands fixing up the Sherpard, Ace, after he got hit and the Dane, Astro, for his tail and the blue Dobie, Seka.

Once they finally get to the point where they are not having good quality of life we know what's next...

Mike and I didn't want any animals after the last one, Astro, was put to sleep. We love our animals and treat them like they are part of the family. It is just to hard.

So we have been animalless for several years now until Chloe got old enough to realize she really wanted one. So after months and months and months of constant asking I finally gave in.

I told the kids that they could get a small pet and they are responsible to care for it, clean up after it and love it. Chloe also had a new chore added to her list, to vacuum the family room each week, in addition to her normal chores.

So we went and picked out a guinea pig, Hickory. I had one at her age and loved it! Both kids have done excellent keeping up their end of the bargain. But recently...

Hickory has not been feeling well. We noticed she was slowly looking worse. Her hair started to fall out on her bum and she had this stuff that looked like dandruff, but wasn't. I researched it on line and found out what I thought it was. Did you know that I have a degree? Aren't we all doctors now...

I made an appointment with the vet and took her in. She weighed in at 2.6 pounds, a bit over weight...ya think! She was a very unhappy camper and didn't hold back letting the vet know how she felt. We all laughed at her squealing and the vet says "she is definitely a dominate female isn't she!" Well, after much discussion it was found out that her pine chips that we use for bedding had mites in it.

So we tossed out the brand new huge bag of it and bought this other Eco-friendly, biodegradable bedding. We made her a new and improved bigger cage also. After her shots and new bedding she is feeling better and acting like her normal vocal self. Thank goodness.

This is Hickory after getting her bath this afternoon.

Friendship

Friendship should be surrounded with ceremonies and respects, and not crushed into corners. Friendship requires more time than poor, busy men can usually command. ~Emerson (This is so true. It is a treasure given to us that we should cherish and nuture. Making the time is hard but very important to do.)

Virtue is everlasting

The soul's calm sunshine and the heartfelt joy,
Is virtue's prize.

~ Pope - Moral Essay

Get-A-Way spot that is one of a kind!

Have a special event coming up and are trying to find something NEW to do. Try this, floating Inn, this destination get a way is one of a kind. You can rent the entire yacht and enjoy the beauty of La Conner, the awesome dining available, the TULIP fields and the quiet wonder of the water. Double click to see the image larger.

Staying Connected

Pledge to feel more connected. Win* a trip that will connect you more than ever. Life’s busy. It’s hard to remember to slow down and truly connect. So take a moment and pledge to feel more connected to someone you love. You could win* the ultimate reunion trip for you and your friends or a digital camera. *See Downy site for details.

What's Happening in April

Double click on this to view larger. I hope that you have time to go and enjoy the unparalled beauty of the tulips in La Conner this month.

SURPRISE

There are 10+ loads of laundry looking at me...and yes all the clothes can talk amongs themselves and I know that they do! Watching me pass by the laundry room umpteen times a day, just waiting...impatiently!

Feel overwhelming? YA THINK! Depressed? Yes!!!

How do the five of us dirty so many chothes?

It seems weird. Does everyone have this much laundry?

It can't be the linen napkins adding up from dinner each night!

HMMM. Well I don't mind quite so much today...

Mike brought me 6 orange roses for NO reason!



This is fairly unusual but VERY much appreciated! I think that I deserve them... don't we all deserve them!

What makes you feel special?

What makes you feel special?

I always feel special when I receive flowers from someone!

For Valentine's Day I was given these beautiful flowers. I never cease to enjoy looking at my flowers as I pass them to go get the many many piles of laundry. It does help my mood....:)

THE LITTLE THINGS...

For Valentine's Day our family went to the movie "Hotel for Dogs" together.

This is not something that we do all that often, mostly becuase I don't think the majority of the movies are good for smaller kids like Hudson. But we really had a good time doing something fun together.

Sometimes it is fun to do something simple but out of the norm together.

THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE...

Dinner with DOT Friday night!

Dot came over and enjoyed a meal with our family. It was great to have the time to spend just hanging out, talking and laughing. The kids and Dot had a great time rough housing and tickling each other. Poor Dot was ganged up on by both kids at the same time. It is always fun for the kids ot have compnay and get to stay up past their usual bedtimes.

Super Funny Comedian

I saw this bit on you tube the other night and died laughing! You know how sometimes things can seem funnier when you are VERY tired, well I watched this in the wee hours of the morning but I had tears running down my cheeks laughing.
I hope that you enjoy it!

Grief and ways to get through it

Recently a friend of mine has gone through something very stressful that happens to some women...she had a miscarriage.

As I have gone through this myself I know what the range of emotions are and how hard it can be do deal with. There really isn't much that I can do or say to comfort her other than that I am praying for her and that she isn't alone. It brings back all of the feelings for me also and makes me sad but I would never give up the kids that I have for anything!

Remember: the bad times will pass...

"The tragedies that now blacken and darken the very air of heaven for us will sink into their places in a scheme so august, so magnificent, so joyful, that we shall laugh for wonder and delight."

Arthur Christopher Bacon

The above will happen as your grief heals.

Grief

Grief is something that everyone will experience at one time or another during their lifetime.

When a person experiences the loss of someone they love, either through divorce or death, they are forced to deal with grief. When a loss occurs, most of us are unprepared for how to handle it, especially if we have never had to deal with it before. Even if we have, it is still traumatic each time.

There is a lot to learn about grief, especially the necessity of grieving a loss. Some people don't allow themselves to grieve - they hold it in, only to have it negatively affect them for the rest of their lives. Some people tend to wallow in their grief for too long, unable to adjust. Although the grieving process is different for each individual, it is imperative that grief be worked through so that you can come out on the other side of it and get on with your life. Life does go on, so we may as well live it to the fullest when all is said and done.

Stage 1: Denial - The first reaction to a loss is Denial.

You tell yourself that it isn't happening. You tell yourself that your spouse will come back to you. With a divorce, you think that he / she is just going through a phase or mid-life crisis and will come to their senses.

Stage 2: Anger - Anger comes as you begin to accept reality.

Expressing anger is a sign that you are beginning to deal with your loss. If anger isn't expressed, it will make you bitter and hamper your recovery. It is important not to bury your anger, and it is important to express all of your anger before you try to forgive that person. Warning - Anger must be expressed appropriately, not recklessly.

Most importantly - do not take your anger out on anyone in an unhealthy manner.

Stage 3: Bargaining - Bargaining is trying to get them back.

Reaching the bargaining stage shows that you have begun to face the fact that the relationship is ending. You are past the denial stage. This is a necessary stage, and it helps you to look at what caused the problems in the first place.

Stage 4:Depression - Depression is an inevitable part of loss.

It comes during the anger stage, and the bargaining stage, and in the letting go stage. It can come at any stage, actually. It is characterized by many of the symptoms listed in the Symptoms of Grief. Depression is normal. It may last longer in some people than in others. Emotionally healthy people won't be depressed as long as emotionally unhealthy people or people who came from dysfunctional homes who haven't dealt with childhood issues. It is perfectly okay to seek help from a physician and take antidepressants for a time until you are better able to handle your grief. If you feel that your depression is lasting too long, you may benefit from the help of a therapist. Never be ashamed of taking medication or seeking professional help when you are grieving. Never be ashamed at seeking professional help. When you no longer need the antidepressants, you will know and end your treatment under your doctor's guidance. During the depression phase, you will cry a lot. Crying is normal, and tears are healing. Let yourself cry when you feel like it. If you cry constantly, everywhere, and it goes on for months and months, you probably need to seek medical help. Antidepressants will help you deal with severe grief.

Stage 5: Acceptance - Acceptance means that you have reached the final stage.

When you have worked through all of the other stages, you will come to acceptance. You accept that everything happens for a reason. You may not see why yet, but you accept that it happened. You will see that you were married to this person for a time for a reason, but that it is now over. You will realize that it is final, and you are ready to get on with your life. In a divorce, you will come to realize that everything happened for the best, and that your life does have meaning. You will begin to feel free from the pain and the hurt. You will be finished with your grieving. You are ready to move on to a new life and let the other life remain in the past. You will be able to remember the good as well as the bad.



Additional Stages

There are a few more stages that you might go through, so be aware that they are also a natural and normal part of grieving.

Shock and Numbness During this phase you don't register any feelings. You know it has happened intellectually, yet emotionally it hasn't registered yet. You go about your daily routines and tasks like a robot, showing very little emotion for days, or maybe a few weeks. You may even wonder why you aren't feeling bad yet. You aren't able to cry much, or any.

Guilt

It is important to recognize this as a stage, too. It is normal and natural to feel guilty, both for things you did, and for things you didn't do. Don't beat yourself up too much. Everyone makes mistakes, and nobody is perfect. You may feel guilty for things you said in anger, or for things that you could have said but didn't. Those things are a part of life, and nobody is perfect. Just remember that you did the best you could do at the time.

Letting Go

Letting Go is the beginning of the end. When the bargaining has failed, and you realize they are gone, you have to learn to let go. This isn't easy, but it must be done in your own time. You enter a different type of depression which makes you feel that your life is over. You wonder about you are worth, what you are here for, what will you do with the rest of your life. You feel all alone and think you will be alone for the rest of your life. This is a dangerous stage in which some people tend to give up, or even contemplate suicide. It is important to remember that you will get past this. Just knowing about this stage helps. You can be prepared by knowing that this is a typical stage, and that you will pass through it. It is a necessary stage. If you don't let go, you will hold on to an unrealistic dream for the rest of you life.

Forgiveness (And the most difficult for many people)

Forgiveness is a necessary part of healing. It is also a process. You can make up your mind that you need to forgive, but it sometimes isn't easy and it may take quite a while to completely forgive the other person. Don't try to forgive too soon in your grief process. You have go go through the anger and the guilt and work through both thoroughly before you can forgive. You have to forgive both yourself and your spouse in order to heal. You have to forgive in order for you to heal. Do it for yourself, not for the other person. Forgiveness is very freeing, and it is necessary in order for you to get on with your life without carrying nasty baggage with you.

STUFF EVERYWHERE!!!

I have so much stuff all over the kitchen right now that I CAN'T stand it!
1. Leftovers from the Follies all needed transferred into ziplock bags and into the freezer. I ran out of room in my freezers so I took the remaining items to the teacher's lounge.
2. Clay from art docent left over
3. Stamps, cutouts, glitter glue and misc. paper from Valentine's Day mailbox art docent
4. The makings for the art project for the Valentine's Day party.
5. School bulb packets
6. School homework papers from the kids
7. Valentine's Day cards for the kids
I feel like I am the one in school sometimes!

Olfactory Assault

Have you ever had a lady walk by you and just have on SO MUCH perfume that you get an instant migraine?

Well, this happens to me. Today I am in Starbucks and this happens to me. Of course I don't have any of my migraine pills with me and I hate to take them except in extreme conditions, as they cost over $10 per pill and this after insurance!

Why do women feel the need to bathe in their perfume?

Can't they smell themselves? Apparently they love the smell on themselves. If you can smell it on yourself then you are wearing to MUCH!

I never wear perfume unless I am going somewhere that isn't work or school. And then I just barely put any on.

Please be kind to those of us who can't take your perfume.

The "F" word

I was getting dinner on the table and Hudson climbs up in his chair and is patiently waiting for his meal.

We are talking and he spits out "Daddy said the "F" word today in the car!" He looks at me to see my reaction.

I stop dead in my tracks, and almost starting cracking up because of the look on his face, but I just say well what did he say?

Hudson proceeds to tell me that he isn't allowed to say that word so he can't tell me. Well, it is okay to say it this one time so that I can know exactly what daddy said.

So his reply is well, ok. "Daddy said that that guys is a STUPID driver!" (obviously we are still a ways away from having all of our letters down)

Mike is hearing this last part and we both just start laughing so hard I amlost peed my pants. Obviously there was some stress driving for Mike that day.

I just love the innocence of little ones!!!

WAY TO MUCH FUN!

I don't remember when I had so much FUN as last night! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CAME! Last night at Kirstin Davies house we had a Cosmos, Canapes (and WAY, WAY more) and Card making party. It was so lavish and wonderful. Kate was the bartender and we all had a great time getting refills!

The party started out a bit shaky for Michelle, she accidentally went to my house instead of Kirstin's house. She gets to my house and there are no lights on outside and no other cars. So then she starts thinking "Do I have the wrong day?" She knocks on the front door and Hudson answers it and lets her in and then goes about his business and just left Michelle standing in the living room. (some manners work in this area is obviously needed here.) So she calls out Mike.... he comes out of the kitchen to a she her. I got a phone call from Mike and he says "You have a visitor here." I wasn't sure what he was talking about and then he put her on the phone. OH MAN! Did I ever feel bad. So Kate gave her directions to the party and she showed up about 20 minutes later. MICHELLE I am so glad that you came and am sorry for the miscommunication!

We let our hair down and had an opportunity to talk with out interuption from anything and we didn't have to work in school items. We just had the time to talk laugh, lots of stories aobut our kids or kids that we know... share stories, (what do you think about the sexiness of full length footed jammies? - Rhonda is taking a poll) and get to know one another as moms and ladies that have common interests. Kirstin lent us her expertise on card making along with her plethera of stamps, punches, embossing, papers, brads, and all of the other special treats that she had for us. We were a bit like little girls getting to do a craft! Hee! Hee! Now I am all done with my Valentine's Day card making and I am so excited for that also. As mom's most of us don't take the time for our socializing. We are the last ones on the list. Hopefully we will make more of a PRIORITY to get together more often now. We do deserve it! THANK YOU KATE & KIRSTIN FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY, GENEROUS SPIRIT AND FOR THE MEMORABLE EVENING!

Awesome Laundry Spot Remover

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Savoring the LITTLE things...

Time spent with family that only comes around once in a very long time. This last weekend I went away, without my kids for the first time, to Spokane for my Uncle John's funeral. Not only was this my time away from my kids but it was also the first time that I had stayed with my 3 Aunts. Now most would probably not think much about that but my family is quite loud and obnoxious and friendly. There are hugs and kisses all the time. You definately feel loved in my family. We love to give each other a hard time and have lots of laughs. It was quite a time staying with my Aunts. I loved it! We shared things that you would not normally share when you see each other at a family gathering. We laughed and laughed, I learned maybe A BIT TO MUCH....NAH! To have that one on one time was very special.

There was a slight mix up on the hotel arrangements for my Uncle and Cousins. They were supposed to stay at the same hotel as we were but when we got into town we passed a hotel with the same name as the one that we were staying at. My Aunt Di says "That's the hotel, you just passed it." I said "No that isn't our hotel, it is up furhter on this street." I had stayed at this hotel last summer with the kids on our way back from Montana so I knew where it was and what it looked like. She saw the address and says "Well, that is the hotel that I made reservations at for Dan and the boys." Oh, that's not good....well it wasn't. That is the hotel they were at and it wasn't a very nice hotel. And boy did we hear about it. Aunt Di from them and me from her, since I gave her the phone number to call and make the reservation. I didn't know that there were 2 hotels with by the same company on the same street in the same town!!! AGH, best laid plans... Uncle Dan, Jason, Daniel, Aunt Di, Aunt Donna, Aunt Dede, my mom and dad and me all got together inour little room and talked and had a good time. We had some appetizers and chatted. It was nice to spend some family time together. I did miss mine back home though. We picked a restaurant, Uncle John's favorite, China Dragon and off we all went. It was a good time and great food. Uncle John would have loved it! (Aunt Phyllis & my mom) The next day was the funeral. Lots of tear proof mascara later we were all ready. I learned a lot about my Uncle John over the weekend and am even more proud of him than I was before. He was an absolutely brave missionary. The things that he and Aunt Jo went through were beyond words. All the cousins on the Newman side. We met our family that we had never met before and others that we hadn't seen in many years. This was the first time since 1995 that my dad and his 4 siblings were together.

Aunt Di, Aunt Dede, Aunt Donna, dad, Uncle Larry, youngest (left) to oldest After the funeral we went to my Cousin Kelly's home. I got to meet his two kids. Luke & Neely. I got some loves from Luke so I felt right at home. Everyone was there. We had food, wine and lots of reminiscing and laughs.

We all had a great time and enjoyed the LITTLE things in life...FAMILY.