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Hi Connie!

You must have a million emotions going on right now!

I am so thankful that you and the mom are on good terms--though I know that doesn't make the situation that much easier when it comes down to it.

Do you still have someone that you can talk to during the next few months? I recently talked with someone in a similar situation, and she remarked that there were tons of services, programs, and help in place for the mom to get her child back (which she was grateful for), but that she felt left in the dark. She said she was extremely thankful the mom was getting back on her feet, but what about herself, her husband, and their child who had become so attached to the baby?

There was not one single person, social worker, program, or anything to help their family adjust to the child going back.

She eventually found someone to talk to. She said it was like a weight lifted off of her shoulders, because she had someone to help and support them during this life changing event.

I wanted to mention this because I believe you said you had found a really nice and helpful person to talk with. Also, if anyone else is in a similar situation, I thought it'd be good to point out how important it can be to have your own support system in place.

On a light note (or should I say headache producing) The terrible two's! Yikes!

What are some of your upcoming projects? Your projects from the house to the floors to the beautiful blankets are so inspiring! You could open up a shop with all of the things that you can make. Are you going to any upcoming fall craft shows?

Hey Brandii, yes I have a billion emotions!! My biggest one is HOPE for the future for my grandaughter. Today is the first unsupervised visit. I am planning to empty out my craftroom upstairs (into the bedroom next to it) and I would love to get it painted. I am going to turn it back into a bedroom. It needs to be painted first and then we are going to redo the floors up there. Then empty the other bedroom, paint and redo floors there too. We got an estimate for replacing our stairs and it wasn't too bad...$800 or so. I would do the stain. The sides of the stairs need stripping and I figure to do that before stain.

I am getting ready for a craft show in October with my sister. I have been busy making some necklaces and earrings. In November we are also doing a show. I have purchased some stuff to make snowmen, christmas tree and angel earrings. I will post a pic when I get them done. I only bought enough to make 2 sets of each that way I won't be stuck with too many if they don't sell!

They came and got Mary Jayne after 8 and had her all day. Brought her back around 8 and she had been bathed. She was a bit of a stinker after they left, but I am sure that is normal. I am sure she is very confused as to what all is going on. Today the mom had to go out of town for something but is going to pick her up at 8 am tommorow morning. I tried to stay busy and made some jewelry. Boy I sure missed her...

Oh Connie, I'm so sorry for everything you are going through right now. I know you've talked about and thought about this for quiet a while, and to have it actually be happening has got to be nothing short of overwhelming.

I am very glad about the mother getting back on her feet and doing better, but it has to be hard what you are going through too (an understatement, I'm sure).

Is she with her today as planned?

I am glad to hear that you are keeping busy. I can't wait to see pictures of the earrings!

Have you thought about starting a website or blog to showcase all of your talents?

You could update it with pictures of your projects when they are done, and let people know where they can be purchased (or even take orders online). I really do think you'd have success in this�you are so talented!

I mean that sincerely�did I ever tell you my �hand painted flower pots for future sale gone wrong� story?

Hey Brandii, LOL, I did hear your handpainted flower pot story. Thanks for the encouragement! My hubby is always telling me it is a never ending process. Buy the beads, make the stuff, sell the stuff, buy more beads. LOL, I tell him that is just how it works. I do enjoy the selling part because it is something my sister and I do together. It is always nice to spend time with her.

The mom has spent every other day with her so far. Yesterday she only had her till 4 because she had to go to her NA classes. Today I will have her and then she will get her tomorow. Mary Jayne was in a better humor yesterday after returning home. I know all of this has to be so confusing for her.

Ok so Brandii, you were asking about what home improvements we had planned. A guy that owns a constuction company bought a property across the street and so I asked him for an estimate on new stairs and also we got an estimate on a new roof and his bid was the best. The second cheaper one was the price of the roof and the new stairs. So someone is supposed to come and get started tommorow or the next day. Then I will be busy working on some stripping on the wood on the wall and then staining everything. There is still lots of stuff on my to do list!

Hi Connie!

Have they started work yet? How does Morty do when there is work going on in the house?

Our dog always wants to be right in the middle of everything. Literally, in the middle. Poor workmen...

They came at 11 on Tuesday and were finished by 5. I was so surprised and the stairs look really nice. Morty was good. I have been trying to spend more time working with him since the baby is gone and his manners are awful! I took him for a walk and then took him in the car a couple of times and played ball with him. He really wanted the guys to pet him but 2 of them were scared of him. I try not to bother them since I am paying by the hour!




Before looking down




Top of the stairs I pulled up the linoleum



The sides I am stripping the paint off of so that I can stain the sides and stairs.


Going up

After!



After!

Today we are getting our new roof....