[NowWhat]

I can't watch her show. Maybe because I am not crafty and have to try very hard to be a decent cook - so I can't do a lot of what she is talking about. I am left feeling like some sub-standard wife! So, I just turn it off.

I did get a subscription to her magazine that is supposed to have a lot receipes, well, again - I couldn't cook anything in the book. Some of the stuff that went into it, I had never heard of. And if I have to go searching for ingredients - I don't want to cook it.

Rachel Ray - who has that much energy and isn't on drugs?

[startover22]

J, you noticing that your cousin was in an awful position was seeing the love... Good morning... Busy busy

[NowWhat]

Hey, Start! Just to let you know, I feel like I have a hangover from staying up way to late! Does this mean I am getting old?

[startover22]

Yes... NO! You did stay up late. That is great. Now you have to get everything done in one day because your daughter is coming back tomorrow. Aren't you excited? I am tired too but I have so much to get done. I have to be responsible and do it all. I will only beable to check in! Hope you have a wonderful day! Start

[NowWhat]

I am excited that my baby is coming home. I have talked to her everyday. She had to let me go last night because she was in the middle of a game of Barbies. This has been an odd week. A good one, but odd.
I don't have much to do today - just some laundry. Maybe run the vacuum.
You guys have a good day!

[startover22]

Lucky. My daughter is the light in my eyes. She is ten and won't have anything to do with barbies. I miss that day. She has been gone alomost all summer, camp, beach trip with friends, helping elders around us, helping Nana... I miss her. Get a good book out and just wait... Don't let it get toooo hot though, she licks a cool house.

[NowWhat]

Well, since Ohio summers are short - it has cooled down over the last day. It is quite comfortable. Almost cool. I am sure after being down south for a month - she is going to feel like she is freezing!
I bet she has grown an inch this week! I do miss her.

[startover22]

Thought I was going to be busy but the call came, I guess the social worker is coming another time. The system here in Oregon is just ridiculous. It makes me want to get my cape on and save the world...

[NowWhat]

I thought that was pretty much done. As soon as the Mom found a home, the boys were going back.
If anyone can save the world, you can!

[startover22]

Oh Please, I have a lot of work to do on my own self. These boys need to go with their mom. She will need help along the way. It is funny because the social worker has to at least see the three boys 1 time a month. I have had them longer than that now and she is trying to make up for her mistakes. That is how this whole situation has been from the start. That is why it is such a special case... Thanks Nowwhat.

[NowWhat]

My husband and I have talked about becoming foster parents. We are both a little nervous because of - well many reasons. One being the whole system. I have heard horror stories. I am sure, in the end the good out weighs the bad. You are doing a great thing - just know that no matter what bs you have to put up with, you are helping put a family back together. And that is worth a whole lot!

[startover22]

That is what we say too. Thanks. The system is really crazy but that isn't really what it is about, it is about the KIDS involved... My husband and I want to do something a little more organized than this. Like a big ranch or something, my dream... I really do love kids and I really love helping others. My husband would need a lot of vacations though!

[NowWhat]

My fear would be to get a very angry teenager. Our friends have a girl now that - if you hear her story - you want to cry. She has every right to be messed up. I would be. And, I don't know if I could handle it. Maybe that is why we are still in the talking phase. If I could get kids under 5 - I think I could do it.

Not to change gears, but...

I am currently on the search for a backpack. Has anyone else started school shopping? My daughters backpack last year had a detachable lunch box. It was perfect. Now, I can't find any. Well, gymboree has them again, but they are ugly and don't look as functional as last year's design.
It may drive me crazy. I like to be prepared. I have about a month and a half before school starts. I have got her one outfit. Hopefully she can still wear some stuff from last year.

[startover22]

What size is she? I am not sure about the back packs but wal mart and target have good selections... Ross?

[NowWhat]

Well, she is so in between sizes - depending on how it is made she can wear between an 8 or 10.
I like the backpacks at those stores, but I really want to find one that has a detachable lunchbox. Just because she shoves everything down in her bag as it is - that if you put the lunchbox on top of it - I will never figure out what is what.

[startover22]

Davy is just getting out of the 10's. If you want me to go through some cute stuff I can...

[shatteredsoul]

Well I missed out on like eight conversations. I am glad I am not the only one who is annoyed with people like Martha, Iknew she had to be a fake, and Rachael Ray, yeah is she on coke or what? LOL Anyway, start is so humble, she doesn't see how she affects the world everyday with her unending energy and love for those boys. I have thought many times about being a foster parent but I have to admit it is a little scary. Will my kids feel ignored, resentful, will they be affected negatively? I guess when you do the right thing, it will work out regardless, now that I say those things I realize I am kind of selfish. I know a woman who has been fostering babies for years, usually drug addicted or with some terrible circumstance. She gets to love and care for them, but then when they find a home she has to let them go. She has had over 90 babies, YES! I am so amazed by her ability to love and let go. I don't know how she does it. She says her daughter cries every time one leaves. Although she tries to keep in contact with many of them. People like her and like you start are the unsung heroes of this world. I hope I can do my part sooner rather than later. Sometimes I feel like I am wasting time doing nothing really special. As for school shopping , I am dreading it! I have a ten year old who is also in between sizes. Her waist is narrow, legs are long. I find that Target is always pretty good, but now she is going to middle school, AHHHH! And no more uniforms, it was so much easier that way. I hate her having to be "in fashion" its so distracting from school work and it labels people in a way that I HATE! Well good luck shopping and I am sure you must be so excited to see your daughter. I can't believe we are talking about school and it's a month away already, start and I haven't even had our summer vacation with the kids together yet!!

[Synnen]

As far as foster care goes... there are a LOT of things to help with that.

Friends of mine have adopted two girls out of the foster care system. They have problems (the girls, not my friends) but they are slowly overcoming them with the love and structure their parents give them.

I think (though I'm not sure) you can let the foster care system know what you can and can't handle. There are so many kids out there that do NOT have problems that still need a home

[startover22]

That is for sure Synnen, I amdoing what I can right now, the rest will have to wait till my children are grown.

[Synnen]

I admire anyone that can do foster care. I sometimes think I want to, and other times I shy away from it completely.

We wouldn't really be able to think about it until we get a house, anyway.