Please sign my Guestbook.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

An Introduction and Other Things (Updated to Include Picture)


Please join me in welcoming Bright Minds to the wonderful world of blogging. She and I "met" on Blogging Baby and I've enjoyed her comments about our kids and education there. She's just begun blogging and has some interesting things to say.

She teaches in what most communities call a Continuation school. Of all the often thankless teaching jobs, I think hers may be one of the most challenging. I know I couldn't do it.

Update: Right after I posted this, Jim sent me the latest photo of him and Jonathan (now almost six months old). Look at those smiles!! Look at those ears!!

This has been a lazy weekend for me. The girls have spent a lot of time with their mom which they've enjoyed.

Tomorrow of course I take Elcie to the doctor. I think her mom will go along for the ride.

I've been reluctant to say much but I have mixed feelings about the parental involvement. Right now, both parents are back in their lives and of course the girls are overjoyed. We've been through this before though. They're here and then they're not here. Or one is and the other isn't. When they suddenly aren't here once again, the girls suffer. On the other hand, I don't want to institute some sort of formal visitation. There's no need.

Anyhow, enough of that. It's just something I live with and have for years. At least the girls are old enough now to understand somewhat.

Glad you all enjoyed the pumpkin. If anyone is interested in the entire collection, email me and I'll be glad to send it along.

I've been giving some serious thought to Word Press. Perhaps Blogger is just going through the hiccups but this entire last week has been next to impossible. It's been fine today; it's actually letting me type and I've left some comments here and there (still behind - sorry).

I have a question for the American visitors (only because our laws would apply). Have any of you received a request to fight pedophilia blogs on the net? I have, I'm not sure what to do with it, and I'm interested in knowing what you think. I have more detailed information but I'm not going to put those links on this blog. Naming them here would give them publicity I'd rather they not have and make me feel even more like I need a shower. Email me if you'd like to know more.

Also, you might want to email me instead of leaving a comment. I don't want to subject any of you to hate mail or anything like that. It's up to you.

Of course if there's a Constitutional attorney out there somewhere, it would help. I have a feeling the blogs, reprehensible as they may be, fall under protected speech. It may be that all we can do is make our opinion heard and watch our kids' computer usage (which is really our job - not the government's).

The net is awash with porn. The girls have their own computer and I've done my best to block the sites they shoudn't be visiting. And I keep an eye on what they're doing with it. I've checked my sitemeter from time to time. You'd be amazed (or maybe you wouldn't) at what some people think a rocrebelgranny is.

Sorry to be so serious today. It's just one of those I guess.

Thanks for all your comments. I tried to get back to most of you. If I didn't and I don't have your email address, blame Blogger.

Take care everyone.

23 comments:

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

I'm trying to catch up on comments today for the entire week because blogger wouldn't let me comment. And posting was one letter at a time...very, very slowly.

I don't really know what's been going on with blogger...seems to have so many more problems than usual. Maybe it's the change to beta which I am unable to do. I signed up but nothing happened. I'll wait for a visit from techie brother who I'm sure will help me once again.

On again, off again mothers only hurt the kids...When will they learn?

Puss-in-Boots said...

Hi Ann, I can understand your quandary re parental involvement regarding the girls. But rest assured, I'm sure they know you are the constant in their lives and that would provide a sense of security for them.

I'm in total agreement with you about parents' responsibility in monitoring their child's computer usage. Too many people rely on others to do it for them, ie the Government.

Love the photo of Jonathan. Hope all is well in your world.

Robyn

Merle said...

Dear Ann, After a lovely week with my
cousin and much gadding about, I am back with my blogging friends, and happy to be. Thanks for your comments while I was busy. Glad you liked the Wooden Bowl for Grandpa and the Men joke etc.I guess the girls know that their parents come and go, but you and Ray are there for them all the time in a safe environment. I hope Elcie gets on OK. So glad Rebecca has done well at school. Lovely photo of Jim and Jonathon.Don't they grow quickly?
Take care, Love, Merle.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the welcome Ann! Nice photo of Jim and Jonathan. My dad was in the Air Force prior to my birth (during Vietnam) and then he returned to the Army Reserves when I was youngster, serving there for 20 years until 1995 or 1996. I can't remember. Anyway, much love to all those who have and continue to serve. Thanks.

School Teacher

clairesgarden said...

young Angus has 'ears' too, maybe its the season for them?

Margaret said...

Hi Ann, lovely photo, It is so sad that children have to lose their innocence to some degree by having to be made aware of all the pitfalls and dangers that are out there. You are a champion Ann. Thank you for visiting my site and your supportive comments. Hugs Margaret

Anonymous said...

Once from a blog acquaintance I received a request to help get rid of a particular pedophile site. She found it on her sitemeter, and wanted it gone (understandably). We never could find a way to get blogger to do anything except to repeatedly visit the site and click the "report objectional content) at the top. Eventually it was removed.

The baby is adorable! He's got ears like my Nick :-)

Good luck at the Dr. today.

Patty said...

The baby is adorable. I can't believe he is six months old already.
I hope the Dr. visit goes well. I know you must be frustrated with the parents in and out of the girls lives. I know I am with my grandsons dad.It just confuses them. Sad huh.
I liked wordpress with the exception of being limited to design..If you don't mind keeping the same theme you will do ok
As for the porn sites, it is bad, but unfortunatly I think no matter what we try to do to block them people will find a way. I don't visit them at all, but I guess it goes back to that old freedom of choice thing..
Anyway I hope you have a great week

Anonymous said...

I checked out one of the blogs deemed objectionable. I would be happy to chat more via email about it. My opinion is that it does fall under freedom of speech (not that I am a lawyer). Seems to me the point of freedom of speech is all about accepting speech I find objectionable on multiple levels.

The sites are careful not to promote taking action on feelings.

I wonder if it is old Blogger that has been having trouble. Other than having to log in all every time, blogger Beta has been nice to me.

The Mama said...

I know, blogger has been a real paiin as of late, I've had trouble accessing blogs at all and leaving comments.

I hope you have a good appointment with Elcie today and that it is nothing serious. It's nice her mom would like to tag along. I'm sure that means a lot to Elcie.

Have a good day!
Alice

The Cluck Wagon said...

The baby is adorable!!
And I so understand what you mean about the kids' parents - I go through it myself with my ex and our kids. It's rough no matter what you do.
And that pumpkin?? Too cool!

Susie said...

As others have said, the girls are fortunate to have you and Ray as a constant in their lives.
Good luck with Elcie at the Dr. Sending prayers that it's only a minor problem.
Little Jonathan is too cute for words.
((hugs))

Stephanie said...

Sounds to me like something I'd read on Snopes.com. That the blog exists and continues tells me that someone somewhere has said, "Well the blogger has the right." Otherwise the hosts would yank them to protect themselves. Surely there are more effective ways to put that energy to use (like talking about survivor support communities or ways to teach children to spot predators). Are ped0philia blogs so prevalent? I hadn't heard of them 'til your post. Hadn't given them a thought. Won't be seeking them out. I imagine they're (1) preaching to the choir and (2) looking for any attention and publicity they can get.

Cute photo :)

Gawdessness said...

Cute ears on your son and grandson!
Six months already!

We are working out our own stuff with birth family and being in and out of our kids' lives. Right now it is okay. It just ain't never easy, you know? Of course you do.
And you don't complain much.

Even though I am Canadian I got one of the spamlike exhortations to fight pedophilia.
Don't know why and it felt just a bit too much like, well, spam for me. So I deleted it.

Take care.

PS, I've been thinking typepad might be a nice alternative...and then I get cheap about it all again.

TJ said...

I too had a lazy weekend...didn't post or visit yesterday, just sat with my nose in a good book...it actually felt good for a change!!
:-D

TJ said...

I get upset with blogger too, noone visits much on weekends...either away doing things or lazy like me...and then Monday hits and it will barely move...grrrr!!!

Jo said...

Awww, that grandbaby smile is enough to melt any grandma's heart! Including mine! What a sweetie. With doing foster care, parental visitation is always a tangled mess to deal with. I wish it could be more simple. But I understand.
I haven't switched to beta blogger, I wonder if that is what is causing your problems? I haven't had any issues at all with Blogger.

Gina said...

Look at how big he is getting. It is such a cliche, but they DO grow so fast, don't they?

No pedophile email for me.

I imagine it is difficult for the girls to deal with parents who are in and out. I'm sure they wish they were more "in."

Kendra Lynn said...

What a cute little baby! :) He looks so happy. :)
Thanks for making me smile.

Kendra

Rowan Dawn said...

aww what a cute baby! how old is he now? he looks so big! i feel sorry for the girls. It hurt to have only so little time with my dad, but I would rather have the memories I do have than none at all. At least they have a permanant stable and loving home- mine was less than ideal, and I missed my dad something fierce.

Andrea said...

It is freaky how people find my blog sometimes. For a while there a lot of people couldnt even access me because it was blocked as porn - WAAAA?????
It has gone crazy on both sides making both sides stronger. I dont know what to think most of the time.
Glad to find you all well.
Love ya

Kristen said...

Man, it always amazes how many people you take care of, when it's all said and done. I understand the dynamics of here and gone parents - although with my stepkids, their mom has been more "gone" than "here" - either way, it creates so many issues.

JBlue said...

What an adorable smile!