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Thank you for the additional information and comments Dancing Wolf.

interesting....lets the bus monitor sleep, LOL...is right.

You have done such a good job Dancing Wolf,  IMO.

Here for you DW.

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wow. he graduates. You have done a remarkable job in raising all the children that you have.

That is funny about chastizing the child for mentioning his constitutional rights.

I think the parents or grandparents whom don't get involved in their children's lives so heavily, reap some real trouble when the child ages. When I first had to socialize my son to the school's satisfaction, I had parties and invited every child in his class. But, by sixth grade even, the ne'er do wells were ?sneaking meds from parents? or, i heard from a pharmacy near me, that some of those kids took temp jobs and actually took meds from clients bottles at the pharmacy. I have no idea why so many believe cameras are fake in a store. But, whereas such news had not hit the local papers, my son knew of every child whom was into bad habits. Distanced himself as these were acts he could not help them overcome. But, our children learn far more in school and esp at home than other generations, perhaps, gave them credit for.

You are a wonderful mother, grandmother, foster mother, and i am sure you made a tremendous difference in the lives of your son's friends.

i miss the joy i experienced with my own immediate family when i was young. But, nothing can really compare to the joys of raising children. There is nothing else on earth like it.

Wonderful job, Dancing Wolf. Just wonderful. And, you gave so much of yourself. That is what makes all the lives you touched so special. You are part of all the children. And, its glorious to hear it.

Your grandson sounds like a great deal of fun. 18? just amazing. Eh gads, my son met a woman he believes he will marry. So, I can hardly wait. Both the woman and my son are professionals, and hopefully will need someone to watch the babies whilst they work.

You make it all sound simply glorious. I so miss those days. Why, I would settle for rescuing kittens again, just to be a mom. muahhh.

Your spirit shows through in every comment you made. And, in your grandson's comments. You must be so proud.

Well done, Dancing Wolf.

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Charon I am sure you are so proud of your son, and should be. Thank you for sharing what you did .

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Dancing Wolf, for you to ponder.

I am sure you know this and maybe have even seen the play. 
Reminds me of the young ones we have loved!

Good video with this one.....do you like it ? ......For the meaning and melody ?

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Life.

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"what words of wisdom, can I give them"

"how can I help, to ease their way"

sunrise sunset, 
sunrise sunset

"Swiftly fly the years?

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[video=youtube]http:/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRsciuPOWW4[/video]

CHARON & LINVILLE,

Thank you for all the compliments.  You are making me blush.  I love being around children & animals (more than adults)  


I think a lot about my grandmother lately - 20 years difference between my oldest aunt and youngest one, so she raised kids 40 yrs.
How did it feel to her when her children were grown and her husband of 60 yrs was gone?  Had to be loneliest feelings. 
Wish I'd realized this and visited her more at that point in time, but children & work/school dominated my life during those years. 
I wonder "How's it gonna be?" when grandson finishes college.  I expect my condition will be worse physically by then.
Not even thinking about "empty nest" yet or trying not to do so at any rate.

Charon, you're right - he's has my sense of humor and we have had so much fun together.  Teachers wanted to write him off when he was very young; his mother neglected him and combined with auditory processing problem & mild autism/OCD, he was somewhat feral at 3-4 yr old.  He did not talk, not toilet trained etc.   He was violent with everyone but me.  Lot of issues in every area.
They put him on Ritalin, Concerta etc - he didn't sleep or eat, told me it made him feel like hurting people. Never made him sleepy.
So I had to argue with school (who wanted him medicated) and took him to psych that I worked with who diagnosed him in 5 minutes and agreed to decrease meds)  I held med on wkends/summers and he did much better. 
How can ADHD kid sit still for hours working puzzles ori intricate LEGOs (med didn't help him at all, made him worse;  He was a boy, he had energy, duh)
I played game where I said "show me how many times you can run around the house", sit & cheer each time he came by.  He'd run off energy, come in and be just fine watching "Dora the Explorer", puzzles and so on  (he'd kill me for telling about "Dora"  ROTFL)

So regular schools wanted to stick him in special ed, medicate him, collect extra money for his status as 'handicapped'.  Didn't want to "unclassify" him and discontinue spec ed even when they weren't doing Anything special to help him.  Their care plans were such tripe.  Words on a page that didn't really mean anything or make up a goal and pretend he was progressing?


Yet I knew and argued with them he was intelligent, finally home schooled him 2 semesters to play catch up (made them so mad I could do all the paperwork required on short notice & follow regs though I never want to do that again  LOL
(they wanted me to fail so badly but when he went back next year everyone said he was like a different kid)

 if you don't buy organized packages it is very difficult to meet all their requirements but somehow did it, then put him in highly recommended special school for autistic next 2 years, and fought to mainstream him gradually. 
His old school was actually holding him back and one special ed worker bullied him our last year there until he began having migraine headaches!!!!!; constantly criticizing him, then told him he wasn't very smart & go "cry to your Mimi about it" - because I reported some of her inappropriate actions (she Needs to be glad I'm disabled and was having flare-up or Mama Wolf would've had a bite of her)


School here repeated his testing immed because they didn't see what his records from NY said and agreed with me.   His IQ is at genius level like his dad/uncle & his grandfather/me and that teacher told him he wasn't smart?  From dealing with her and seeing her notes - I bet her IQ isn't as high as his (as if IQ is only requirement for success ; now he makes straight "A's" in all classes including physics, chemistry, higher math) 
He's not perfect, who is? Puberty isn't much fun either, he's moody now;  But I am very proud of him for multiple reasons.
I find myself imagining him as he walks in cap & gown to receive diploma   We Both worked hard for that   LOL
Praying it's a good day for me health-wise so I can celebrate this occasion with him properly.

BTW  I rescued cats 5 yrs ago for a cat refuge and one kitten stole my heart.  I bottle fed him while holding in arms like my own babies, so that technically makes him my last baby, doesn't it?  my cat seems to think it does.  
Sometimes climbs in my arms like he did when I fed him, gets comfy and goes to sleep.
(he weighs a lot more now than when he fit in my hand  Hahaha)

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I really appreciate everyone's comments.  Realized it will soon be one yr here, time flies. 
Kinda shy til I know people on sites due to past events, and still have members here I'd like to know better,
but I must say the atmosphere here is so comfortable, not at all like most sites I've been. 
The longer I'm here the safer I feel, more of a positive refuge it becomes .  I don't feel as nervous when I post.
Believe this site and its members are helping me heal hurts inflicted at other places.

I Appreciate Everyone for making me feel welcome and accepted.  Thank you so much.  Really.
Admin/mods (Charon, you are wonderful) and other members here have my respect for creating such a pleasant safe haven and guarding it so well.  Cozy, like a family.

Hi  Fireplaces

We moved two years ago near one of top universities in nation for geology (many colleges don't even offer the degree)
This school has a special "honors geology" program; it's basically like having major & minor both in geology.
They take classes about individual areas related to geology, geography in addition to regular curriculum.
 I think the summer 'tornado chasing' class would be awesome - my grandson thinks I'm crazy!   LOL   
He loves minerals, collects rocks, says prob will work in "energy".
85% of students there in geology graduating have jobs lined up before they graduate.
By moving in-state (back to my home state, location worked out well) and living here 2 yrs, graduating high school here, plus living with me off campus - GS is going to save almost $300,000.  People told me we couldn't afford this with me disabled, but here we are!
Just like when I put myself thru private university nursing school.  Where's there's the will there will be found the way.
Saving pennies and TBH will spend whatever I have on him. Determined he'll receive the education he deserves & wants.
 It would hurt but I'll sell my beloved Chickering piano if absolutely must. 
We will show them that if you dream , you can achieve.
if I have to put lien on my house (or sell my old crippled body on corner ROTFL j/k)
   

Unfortunately, they based his grants on his father's income this year (he hasn't seen father almost 2 yrs)  I live on disability and we need assistance but the college (strangely) doesn't allow for unconventional families.  At least his dad carries health ins on GS.
I looked ahead and next year he will be considered "independent" - whaaat?  OK, then I guess I'll ck box he's employed PT and check "at risk for homelessness" box. If not for me, he would be... Somehow make them consider my income next year, which is the true & accurate amount we live upon.

Anyway, my grandson already researched pay in various part of country and says he's going to Oklahoma.  Would you believe they pay new grads approx $150,000/yr beginning??!!  Oklahoma? Every student at his college we tell what his major will be - they all say "oh, they make good money..." and go on to tell about someone they know or friend knows.
 
Personally, I want him to make a good living so I don't worry about him, but more important he likes his job. 
9th grade with GS, my career counseling went like this kinda:  "What do you love doing? What interests you and arouses passion?  What could you get up and do even when you are having bad day and don't really feel like working?  If you don't like your job, you will be miserable".   His answer  "History and Geology".   Told him history could be his hobby. 
He's already been in one battle re-enactment.  You talk about funny. 
I will tell you That story someday.  I bet it will crack everyone up.


Thanks, Fire.  I've tried with all I have to make him the best he could be... now as I told him, "you're a man and must live with consequences of your choices, so think thru decisions carefully... follow your chosen path and give life your all,  if you decide upon a course of action put all yourself into it "   He has much of me, but not as daring or bold - think almost fatal wreck when young did that to him.  In my case, mother tried to break my spirit and instead created a stubborn strong-willed spirit (*backfire* LOL)


More & more I'm stepping back to watch the paths GS chooses.  Not easy.  Of course I want to jump in and 'fix' everything.
It amazes me that he's almost as old as me when I married.  wow.   He couldn't handle a family right now.
I feel very old  LOL  yet so exciting to watch beginning of a new life with some much potential.

Dancing Wolf, I found your post very interesting.

Thank you for sharing and I do wish your GS the very best !

I know he has a great advocate in you...It makes me feel good to hear a success story. 

For. Everyone