I can't get to my Christmas stuff.....it is buried. That is beautiful though.

Was the house clean? How was the home inspection?

Yes to Hospice.

Here is my list for 2020

Here is my latest blog post...... This weekend has been rough. To be honest, the week was rough. Busy schedules, kids dealing with trauma issues, and a major basement remodel project going on has me tired and worn out. This morning I had to drive my son to work bright and sorta early. Before that though, I needed to get the second coat of paint on the walls of the new basement bathroom. That meant I was dressed in my finest of painting clothes—paint splattered old threadbare jeans, an over-sized bright red tee-shirt proclaiming “We are the Village” (from my adoption group), and my paint splattered crocs. I figured no big deal. I get in the car, drive him to work, drive back home, and continue with the painting in another room. After I dropped him off at work, I realized that we needed milk. I knew I was too tired to go home, shower, change clothes, and drive back to the store. Therefore, I made the bold (or lazy, depending on your perspective) decision to head into the local big box store that was on my way home. As I am walking into the grocery section of the store, I remember all of the other groceries we really need, so I grab a cart on the way. I am now an offical “people of ………….”poster child. You know the kind that they make fun of on Facebook. The overweight, those not dressed very well, people who don’t measure up to some artificial standards. But…. That got me thinking. No one in the store knows that I am in the middle of painting a new living space for my daughter with special needs. They do not realize that I have been dealing with outbursts of a child who is struggling with trauma and missing dad. It isn’t obvious that I am a single mom struggling to figure out how to do “guy stuff”. Not a soul in the store knows that I had spent hours in tears and prayer the night before. All they can see is an overweight, middle-aged mom in ragged, strained clothing who is wearing crocs with socks out in public. For the first time ever, I am stopped at the door to “check my receipt”. From my looks, I fit the profile of someone that just might be trying to steal that gallon of milk or loaf of bread. Practice Kindness If you are the ragged mom in the store, take heart. You are NOT alone. I am right there with you. You are valuable. What you are doing matters. If we make it on the “People of …………..” FB posts maybe we can share in the riches. Everyone else, if you are one that see us, please, practice kindness. Kindness costs nothing but its value is more than gold. A kind word, a friendly smile, a nod of understanding, etc. goes a long ways. Remember that the person you are quick to judge is someone’s loved one and might be carrying burdens you can’t imagine.

Last year I went with 52 small challenges.....things like drink coffee every day for a week (never a coffee drinker before), hike with a friend, take each of my kids out for a meal alone, bike a new trail, send out 5 cards, attend a free community concert etc. Nothing big or expensive. I managed 48 or so already this year. A few won't be doable like cross country ski somewhere new...due to no snow currently. I plan on doing the same for next year. Just 52 small challenges that take me a bit outside of my comfort zone, work on my health, connect with people, etc.

If it is a home study/foster care thing, don't fret it too much. They know kids live in the house. There is a joke in the foster circles about everything being perfect your first home visit, picked up the second, and after a few more you are doing great if you have a bra on and your teeth brushed.

Ugg. Can this be done if he set up the accounts originally with his email? Can I just do it if he logs in, I send him out of the room and set up the parental controls with the pin without him knowing the pin? It is social media he doesn't need to be on right now.

I have one that has trouble with the internet lately. Currently x box one is in time out. I seriously don't mind the game playing and I can set the router for a certain time frame. My issue is all of the other things you can do on an x box. I found out the hard way you can FB message and watch you tube. Is there anything that can be accessed via an x box? Again, I don't mind some time gaming, I just want to know what else I need to monitor, try to block, etc.

I would go given the health of aging family members. Any chance you can "phone a friend" and ask them to drive you there (either in your car or you paying expenses). That way you have company on the ride and you could hit online stores to order the gifts you still need.

We don't have apple but this is what makes monitoring electronics for vulnerable kids so hard. I know many will say to stay involved with your kids, etc. and on and on. I have, and I do stay involved but I still need the way to block contact with 1-2 toxic people....and that seems almost impossible to do.

YES....auto correct that I missed. Maybe they can test his levels again. It certainly won't cure everything but I have often found that each piece of the puzzle is important to getting the big picture right.

I am not familiar with this particular form, but I do know that in some cases VIt B shots can help as can some antipsychotic medications. You need someone experienced in elder care though as meds can react differently in the elderly than they do in younger people.

I had an Aussie rescue for over 10 years. She was a great dog. She never barked...like months could go by between hearing her bark...and then if she did, it was something serious. That said, I lived on a horse farm for the first 9 years we had her. She had free roam of the farm, went on 4+ mile horseback rides (running alongside the horses), sat on her hill watching the horses, gently herded the chickens, etc. I never had her be unsafe with any kids but I also never let her along with preschool kids. I loved her and as an Aussie I could talk her for walks off leash (where allowed) and she stayed right by me. That said, I don't think a younger Aussie would be good for inside the house or someone not prepared to give them a job and lots of exercise.

I am in the middle of a basement finishing project.....2 bedrooms, kitchenette, living room, and bath. That means all furniture is in storage blocking my tree. I spend every weekend and evening working in projects to save me money ....like doing the painting. I could likely set up the tree by the 23rd but I also have extra furniture and glass from the coffee tables in the LR. I have no desire or energy for this

I agree. One carpet salesman once told me to take the dirtiest part of my current carpet and buy that color.😊. It works.

I read the review....and got to see your picture 😀. Now I want to read more of your reviews as you think like me. I didn't read the book and obviously don't need to. I struggle as so many "Christian" books out there aren't Biblical and/or aren't worth reading.

I agree with making this space what you want it too be....no matter what is "correct" or fashionable. If you want to add plants and/or a game table, do so. Put the TV somewhere that is easy for you to view it. The vinyl plank flooring is a great idea. My mom has it for her power wheelchair and it looks brand new even after last winter and her big power chair rolling all over it. Then you could putter with plants, etc and not worry about spilling dirt or water.

I would think of what size you need. I actually have 3 crock pots in different sizes as I use them for different things. Going from a family of 9 (when I had lots of fosters) to just 2-3 of us eating has really changed what I need. I like keep warm, low, high. That is all I need. I would have liked a snap on lid for transporting but other than that, simple is base.

BlsdMama...there are some really nice and affordable portable ramps that are sturdy enough for use with power chairs....my mom is a large woman in a 350#+ chair. We have these ramps to get my mom into my house and my brother's house. They have ones from 2ft for thresholds up to 12+ feet. See if there is a disability "closet" in your area. We have Alternatives In Motion which can lend out chairs, Ramps, other equipment, etc for as long as someone needs it my MIL had stuff from one "closet" for over 5 years and when she didn't need it anymore, I returned it.

As a fire foster parent it sounds like they might be closer to a removal this time. That said, nothing is ever for sure in foster care.

Yes. This. Have kid find an easy recipe and then help prepare it for the family....even very young children can help.

Can you appeal the amount they will give you? Look online locally for cars of the same make/model/year/features, etc to get a true idea of the cars worth. If it is more than they are offering you, fight it.

Absolutely. My mom is in a power chair and I worked with many students in power chairs. They can make lots of adjustments to them...and then readjust as your needs change. My mom wishes she had known about the cell phone charger option when she got hers. She complained a few days into her new chair that it didn't support her thighs correctly...I told her they could adjust it. She didn't believe me but asked anyway, and yep, a simple adjustment made it so much more comfortable.

Motivated Mom's www.motivatedmoms.com is what works here....when I do it. She is developing an app as well.