Hey Brandii, this is my son's first year at college. He is really excited. He starts class on Monday. Tommorow he has an all day orientation class.

I canned tomatoes this afternoon and it probably took me an hour to prepare 5 quarts of tomatoes. Then they process for 45 minutes. Still are lots of tomatoes in the garden yet. I will take a pic of the basement shelves when we get done. Tommorow I am going to make cranberry jelly (with juice I purchased...kinda is cheating but still good!). Once you get the fruit prepared it is all downhill after that!

I was wondering if anyone has had to deal with process of terminating parental rights of bio parents

What I have been told by a couple of different lawyers and by the dhs is that the parents have to voluntarily sign their rights away. Or if the situation is bad enough I would think a judge could terminate their rights. But as far as I have seen I think the parents have to have absolutely no contact and pretty much not want to raise their children.

Hi Mary J!

Welcome to the adoption forum and to Bella Online!

There are so many different types of situations, it's hard to offer advice without knowing more details. If you'd like to add a detail or two, we'd be happy to help steer you in the right direction, or at the very least, offer a lending ear and lots of support.

Hi Connie!

How was the first day of college for your son? How are you?

Is it weird with me being away at college?

Speaking of school...

Granny H, isn't it just a two or so more weeks before the boys are back in school? Have you started the countdown timer, lol?

Hey Brandii, it is odd to have him gone. I am still kind of sad, but I will be ok. He kept telling me not to cry the day he left and I told him sorry to dissapoint you, but in the last year and a half I have had plenty of things to cry about and this is a happy thing, not a sad thing. So I made it a while and after Mary Jayne asked me for the 6th or so time where Uncle Steven was I cried! We went and visited him Thursday. She hugged him so hard she was about to choke him and wouldn't let go for anything!




Today we are going to a baby shower for my sons (that passed away) step sister. I have made some blankets for her and we bought her a baby bed too





My daughter and both grandaughters are going and it is going to be a nice afternoon.

Finally here is a photo of Mary Jayne enjoying gramma's flowers

I know that because she is your granddaughter you would be fighting for her future anyhow, but she is just too precious to think about losing.

And how about your son!! He looks like he may only be old enough to be starting high school, not college. (That is the old and decrepit [I'm nearing my 61st birthday] grandmother in me talking.) Is your son a long way away, or can you easily drop in when one of you is lonely?

I know I've been saying summer vacation still has a few weeks to go, and it does, but my daughter-in-law is starting at a nearly local (30 miles one-way) Community College on Monday. It is looking as if DayCare will continue 2 afternoons a week during the school year. This is for the 3 and 5 year olds - ones I didn't have over the summer. I'm not sure I'm fit enough to run after them, but we'll see.

Have a good weekend, all. GrannyH

LOL Granny, you are the same age as my mom and dad...you aren't that old at all! Steven is an hour away so it isn't too far. He is coming to see me on Thursday. He has the day off from work on Thursdays and no class.

Just when you thought granny day care was closed...I bet 2 days a week won't be bad...

That decrepit statement of mine was sorta an inside joke. Anytime in that last 10 years or so any family member finding anything (mugs, shirts, etc.) with 'Older than Dirt' on it has bought it for me - it's not a collection I show off. I do have underlying health issues, and even the youngest can be heard saying 'Don't hurt Grandma'. But we'll be fine. And we seem to be extra busy this week - one kid each day. I haven't gotten any other thing accomplished. This is even on the run. Later.....

I am sure your grandchildren will have wonderful memories of granny day care. I still remember spending lots of time with mine. Memories I cherish today!