Jane and I were worried about you. I had been hoping you were on vacation. We all missed you, you cheer us all up.

You have family in the area right? I hope so. Like Jane said let us know if you need something.

I hope you are outside enjoying this good weather.

Thanks! Maybe coffee in a few weeks!

Thanks for the laughs! I think Hutch (half-dollar) needs to write that book. How many names does dollar have now?

I forgot who said this.."Getting older ain't for sissies."
IT'S TRUE!!

Thanks for the good wishes. Take care.

I don't know how to get parents interested if they're not so inclined. When I was in school and playing sports my parents never came to the games and there was no support for the various programs and it was this by itself that makes me support the hutchette 100% in anything she wants to do because it's a sad feeling to reach the highest accomplishment of your young life and have no relative to share it with. Like Cy says, get involved and strongly encourage the other parents, sometimes they just need a nudge, or a boot you know where.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

We grew up in N.C. which is kinda like Georgia except we get snow. I guess it was just a different place, time etc. The strange thing is my parents were always at my brothers football games, basketball games. They were proud of him.

My husband said the same, his parents were always there when he was in marching band.

It does break my heart waiting for kids parents to pick them up at Home Games, which they could come to- I do try and encourage the kids who does not have a parents there.

Honestly, my son would never tell you, it would hurt so bad if we did not show up- he;s into Band And Soccer, if we did not show up- I think it would kill him. We don't have relatives from here, but one thing for sure, I prayed and I thank God- I am here when he is, I know what is going on and he knows Mom and Dad believe in him. I just wish the other kids had that.

Once in a blue moon, a parent we have never seen before will show up and complain the entire time about various things- but they are not willing to help solve it.

I guess I feel like these Kids and Band Directors deserve better than this- but the good thing is they know they have our support. Hopefully next year with new 8th grade coming in things can start to change.

Our kids just want us to be proud of them - they don't care what material things we give them- they want us, they may not say it, but you can see it. Thanks again.

I really wish I had the answer to that one. Some really care about their children to the point that they take an active interest. Others, are not so inclined. I'm driven to make my son's team the best it can be. I guess it's just the way I'm wired. Likewise "hutch" and "Acey1" are the same. In fact, "Acey1's" son was sick during a performance yet "Acey1" drove to Gwinnett County, by himself, to help the band. Dedication!!!!

Perhaps you can have a band dinner and have the band perform for the parents. Use that same spirit that you display on this board and rally those parents for support.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Excellent suggestion -- quite helpful and positive

It's so sad that so many kids don't have parents who really care and/or they neglect and abuse them.

Thanks, for caring.

It's so very sad to the point that it pains me. Did you hear about the history of that young man in Omaha?
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

somehow, he fell through the cracks. I wonder what happened to him? they said drugs, For him to think, now I'm famous? what could have been his problem? Maybe we should have these young kids working more. I do strongly think one thing that is wrong, Moms are working more to make ends meet,and their kids are in second classs daycares, and for longer hours. I've worked all my life, but when I'm around friends kids that got to go to a good day care, or parents that stayed home with them. you can see a big difference. I think we ask too much of these little guys, and for what? They deserve just once in their lives, to have someone stay home with them and treat them like they are special. I think for most of them, no one has, they didn't want to, or couldn't afford to, this is wrong, Everyone needs to feel special and loved, just once when they are little.

No, I've not heard much news lately -- just that the killings happened. So sad, especially at this time of the year (not that any time would be easier).

What have you heard?

Recently I heard "Dorie, The Girl Nobody Loved" (and PART 2 -- about 45 minutes total) about an abused orphan in foster care. How could anyone abuse a child?

There have been some neighbor children whom I've felt almost like a surrogate parent to because the parents didn't really care about them. One little girl spent hours almost daily at my house, and the parents never asked where she was or what she was doing. She could have been abducted, and they wouldn't have known for hours. She was a talker and needed someone to listen and answer her questions. We'd plant flowers and pull weeds or eat a sandwich while chatting. I hope that I helped some.

I heard that one of the victims was a 60-something grandmother who was her husband's childhood sweetheart and who had just come through a bout with cancer and was working on wedding plans for a granddaughter.

Tears me up.

______________

Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of man.

I heard he was a product of a broken home tossed around in foster care system and back with a relative. He apparent had some mental issues as well. Nebraska officials estimated they spend $250,000 on his care. So its obvious that money can't replace the love of caring parents.

Denise it helped because you were there. Thank you for taking the time. I'm sure it meant a lot to her.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

"So its obvious that money can't replace the love of caring parents."

So true. Children need time, not more things or activities (just to keep them out of your hair). I once asked an EMT (or paramedic) about PTC teens and drugs (a lot bigger problem here than most realize), and he said that many parents are too busy working to pay for expensive things (they hand kids cash and a car) or socializing (or involved elsewhere) to know what their kids are doing.

Practically unsupervised and with plenty of cash = trouble

parenting but, I think we and a lot of the others on this board would agree that parenting means involvement not payoffs. Thank you for this dialog tonight. Tomorrow will be a better day. Good Night.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

I still like your avatar.

Now where was it that you got that?

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Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of man.

Are you testing me? Or..maybe you forgot! Ha!

I still love my little "muddle tugboat."

If you need anything just send me a email and we'll get it done.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Thanks, I know you would, but I'm fine.

Second thought.. I hear CCR is coming to Fayetteville. Have you got any extra tickets?

I'm so glad you are bouncing back!!! Hurry up and get well. We need you here.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

I hope you get better soon, sure glad that you checked in.

Whew! Am I glad to hear from you, take care of yourself and get better soon, we are concerned for our online buddies.

So you don't like the new avatar?!?