Good morning everyone. My participation here has been very spotty due to computer problems the last few weeks. So many viruses and trojans on the computer, despite firewalls and software protection. It's still not resolved and I'm ready to just toss the entire computer out the window. Hate the PC issues and I'm ready for an Apple!

I will probably not be at the site for a week or two. I plan to leave sometime late this week to see my MIL. She broke her hip over the weekend and is in the hospital. Of course, she is in the middle of the country and the two children are on the coasts. So I'm going to take the first shift in care for a week or two. She's still in the hospital and will need rehab. At 79, things are not easy to recover from as when you are much younger.

This is a big shock for all of us. She was due here in CA on Thursday for a visit. So instead of fun activities with the boys, I'll be at the hospital and her home getting it ready for her return. She won't be able to be left alone.

I've been reading your updates and hope all continues to go well. And Vaughn, make sure your lawyer is a shark that will fight for your rights. Raising your kids is a HUGE plus, not a sometimes hobby. You only get one chance to raise your boys and you did a fine job!!! Parenting takes all forms and you did what was right for you.

Here are a few questions for the week.

1. Are allergies still an issue in your area?

2. What's the job situation looking like in your area? Improving? Stable? Teen employment options?

3. Are you out of school yet?

4. What are your Father's Day plans?

5. Do you year-end teacher gifts?

Have a great week!

Sharon
13 year old b/b/b + 16 year old son

Hi Sharon,
So sorry to hear about your dmil and bless your heart for taking care of her.

1. Are allergies still an issue in your area? Somewhat

2. What's the job situation looking like in your area? Improving? Stable? Teen employment options? We are seeing improvement.

3. Are you out of school yet? Yes.

4. What are your Father's Day plans? We are having my parents and bro over for dinner

5. Do you year-end teacher gifts? Used to (when they were really little) but now that they each have several teachers a day, it would be too costly.

Have a great week everyone!

"Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears."-- Gillian Anderson

Good luck with caring for your MIL, Sharon. The past couple of years I have been adjusting to aging parents with health problems....not fun. Isn't funny how things work...you get the kids nearly raised and then you end up caring for your parents/in-laws?

1. Are allergies still an issue in your area? Not too bad right now, but my ds was miserable a month ago.

2. What's the job situation looking like in your area? Improving? Stable? Teen employment options? Not good. I have one teen working, the other two have put in applications everywhere. Good news..Elizabeth has a second interview tomorrow. Hope she gets it.

3. Are you out of school yet? Triplets graduated on June 6!

4. What are your Father's Day plans? Saturday is the grad party for Jack, Jess and Elizabeth. I've been using all my spare time getting the house and yard ready. Sunday we will just relax. Maybe take DH to a movie. I'll see my dad at the party. It will be his first time out and about since he broke his leg in April.

5. Do you year-end teacher gifts? Nope. Not since 6th grade. Now, not at all! Never again.

Trish Dawson
Mom to bgg (1992 @ 31
weeks)

Hi Sharon,

Wow, sorry to hear about your MIL. That is tough. The healing process can go in so many different directions. Some come through just perfectly and some end up with memory issues. I know that sounds odd, but it happens. Good luck to you.

1. Allergies are always an issue here, even when things are frozen over in the middle of the winter.

2. Jobs are still hard to find here. The kids at school were all complaining about not being able to find work. Many kids who had summer jobs last year were being called back to those, but it is still tough. Lots of houses still foreclosing and businesses closing.

3. Yup, we finished school last Thursday. Summer school starts next week. YUCK!!!!

4. We don't have any. Would you believe that out of 4 kids, none of them will be in town for Father's Day?

5. Doesn't apply to me any more. Would you believe that I can't even remember if we used to do them? Huh, I must be getting old! LOL

mom to:
Ryan 32 The Lawyer
Jason 30 The Chief Meteorologist
Chris 30 The College Student
Tim 30 The college grad

I love hearing their versions of their childhood memories!!

I think it is Tuesday. I starting a photo printing session at noon on Monday and finally got home at 10am or so today. Rode my bicycle in to the university where I do my printing (9 miles away) and was fortunate to have a tailwind most of the way home after the printing session. The bike ride home was actually very nice -- a good way to finish off a long printing session. Helps that the ride is along the Humboldt Bay -- very pretty.

Took a shower, had a sandwich, and went to bed -- woke up at 6:30, wondering if it was am or pm! LOL! It is now 11pm and I had a couple of Boca Burgers and am about ready to hit the sack again. I don't like sleeping all through the afternoon and evening...getting up for awhile in the evening then going to bed again at a more normal hour helps me to keep the natural sleeping/waking cycle on track after an all-nighter of printing. (Obviously I do not have the boys this week!)

And it was a successful day/night of printing.

1. Are allergies still an issue in your area? Not for me, anyway.

2. What's the job situation looking like in your area? Not good. Teen employment options? I see "help wanted" signs all the time at the fast food places and some stores.

3. Are you out of school yet? The university since May 14th. The Boys finish up this Thursday.

4. What are your Father's Day plans? Backpacking with the boys along Redwood Creek. I don't really need to celebrate the day -- cards, gifts, etc. Being a dad is just what I am...the boys are my present.

5. Do you year-end teacher gifts? No -- too many of them now that the boys are in Middle School.


Sharon -- sorry to hear about your MIL. Dang hips. They get so fragile in our old age! I wish her the best.



Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder