I made a post back September 4th about Lulu's sperm donor keeping her, calling the police so I couldn't come on his property to get her, etc. I haven't received any child support from him since August.

The last time he has had any contact whatsoever with her was when he dropped her off that afternoon. No phone call for her birthday (Oct 20th), no attempt to even see her for Christmas....

It is my understanding that if you go 6 months with no contact & no support that it's considered abandonment. He'll lose all of his parental rights.

I'm SO hoping this to happen! He's not going to come in & out of her life, make her miserable just because he is, & hurt my beautiful angel-face. One of his sisters wants me to wait out the time & then take him to court to get support - even without his visitation rights. He has gone nearly 3 years before with no contact to his family. He has problems.... I don't want them to rub off on her. She doesn't deserve to be treated that way.

Since Sept, I understand that he has adopted his step-daughter (who is less than a year older than Lulu). They also have another girl that's about to be 2 in a few weeks. So...why doesn't he appear to love his first-born child?

Anyway, I'm going to wait longer than the 6 months just for proof of how he is. Then I'll get support from him.

On one hand, this is sad that she doesn't have a daddy in her life. On the other, he isn't anything but pain that she doesn't deserve. The sooner he's out of her life, the better for her. She will have positive male influences in her life. Also, she dearly loves Randy with all of her heart, as does he her. She says she's "his little girl".

This is HIS loss living without her.

If any of you know of anything else I need to know about this process, please let me know. I'm not going to do anything until time has passed....

BEFORE:

AFTER:


I've now had these for a week & am still trying to get used to them.

So...whatdoyathink?

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!! We did around here. The girls are up, but B & Randy are still asleep. I think we're all worn out from the big day!

For our dinner/feast we had a (huge) ham, creamed potatoes, green bean casserole, creamed white corn, cranberry sauce, dressing, devilled eggs, yeast rolls, & pumpkin pies w/cool whip. Man we all pigged out! Mmmmmmmm It's was great too, if I do say so myself! I did work very hard on it tho.

Today is going to be relaxing movie-watching day. I rented some movies last Tuesday night & have watched 1 1/2 of them. They're due back tonight, so we'll watch them & relax.

The Lake House with Sandra Bullock & Keanu Reaves is a GREAT movie! You must watch it very carefully or you'll get confused with the twists, but it's such a wonderful movie!! You must watch this. Men, it is a chick-flick of-sorts, but you should enjoy it too.

Randy & I started "Brokeback Mountain" but only got to see the first half. We'll watch that today too. It's also a really good movie. I know there has been lots of controversy over it, but putting that aside, it IS a beautifully written story.

Have a great week & take care! I feel so blessed to have "met" you all. I love the Streamers!! God bless you all!

Secret

Now you know my clothes dryer died Monday morning, so my laundry is backing up fast. I went & bought the heating coil Thursday so I could fix it.

I LIKE being able to do things myself as that's how my daddy (God rest his soul) taught me. "Don't be where you must depend upon a man or anyone else to take care of you. Be able to take care of yourself as one day you just might have to!" - wise words from my daddy... God, I miss him so much!!

Anyway, we (Randy & I) took the front off of the dryer. Yes! THERE is the coil! I unhook the wires, remove the nuts holding it in & take it out. Carefully, I put the wireS on the new one & get it ready to insert. Great! Not!! There's a big hole in the back that this tube of sheet metal fits in - a tiny screw to hold it in place - & then another tiny screw to hold it to the bottom of the dryer. I vacuumed out the dust/lint too just for maintenance.

Problem?? I CAN'T GET THE TUBE TO FIT IN TO THE HOLE!! If I get it in where the back screw fits, then it's not where the bottom screw will go in!! By now I have cut places in my palms from the sheet metal that is very sharp. After several tries, I had to "STEP AWAY FROM THE DRYER" - 3 times!

Guess what? It's STILL like it was yesterday cuz I can't get it in there right!!! I WILL try again today as I'm not the type to just give up. I MUST do this!!

Now wish me luck & prayers for it to work today so I can get my laundry done!!!

*******************************************************************
UPDATE:
Sunday 11/53 am -

I FIXED MY DRYER!! I decided it was time to re-tackle this feat. I laid down on the floor with my tools & my flashlight & began. I did have to get a longer screw for the one at the top/far back, but... There is now heat coming from the dryer. I can do laundry! Um...It's not that I love doing laundry, I'm just excited that I CAN now. When you're without one, you really miss it.
Go me!! Just call me Tina the Tool Lady.



Thank you all

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE TO ALL MY STREAMERS BUDDIES!!!

My sister has been very upset lately because she can't even come up with her rent (that was due Dec 1st -- & Jan 1st rent is in a little over a week -- the late fees are adding up quickly for every day she's late too), let alone be able to have Christmas for her 2 children.

With no Christmas tree, no decorations, & unable to buy her 10-yr-old son, nor her 14-yr-old daughter anything for Christmas, depression & unworthiness set in deep. She's cried herself to sleep almost every night trying to figure out how to come up with the money for her rent, let alone gifts for the children.

Today she was at work. A few of her co-workers came up to her with
a $15 gift card - $40 cash for HER, not for bills or food - 2 5-CD changer stereos for each of the kids (they wanted this!) - 2 DVDs for him - & CD or DVD (or something) for her - a tree complete with lights, decorations & a bow for the top. She called me crying! She didn't know what to say or how to react to their act of kindness. She cried - they all smiled at the happiness they brought to their co-worker, their friend, & a struggling mother. She called me in tears & couldn't hardly talk trying to tell me about it.

She's at home now putting up the tree to surprise the kiddos when they get home Christmas afternoon from their dad's house. They'll be shocked! They left knowing no tree or anything (right now) for Christmas. They also told her that she was NOT to tell them where the stuff came from other than it was from her to her children.

So, how was that for a "Christmas: The Season of Giving" story? I think the people are awesome for doing that.

She's still worried about how to pay her rent, as her Jan 1st rent is due next week. But...for now, she is happy.

I'm wishing ALL of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! May God bless you all in every way.

Secret