Oh Michele, hon, you're not going wrong. I have a big problem with both the "N" and the "W" words. My kids learned really young with the "N" word, I use to smack them in the back of the head for it and they would even hear me say something to my parents, who are very old, deep southern, about that word. Like you, I find it degrading and rude as all daylights. It's used in the derogatory fashion, not the true definition of the word, which has no racial connotations.So they know well and better than to use it, but to be honest, each of my older boys tried it again when they hit pre-teen and at about mid-teen and still got smacked. Tiffy still hasn't tried it since she was young and heard her grandmother spout it. She's almost 15 now. I don't doubt that Vincent and Devin will try it again at least during one phase or the other. And they'll get smacked and talked to seriously at that time. Tommy and Jarret tried the "W" word when they were young teens, it had just become the latest "hot" word. After trying,and failing, to convince me that I was just behind, they never said it in front of me again. I told them that I found it as degrading as I did the "N" word and the "B" word to describe women in general. I don't physically discipline my kids very often, so when I do, they know it's serious. And more so once I explain the meaning of the word and why it's degrading and show them the correlation between it and other degrading words. Like Tommy likes to wear his ballcap backwards, does that make him the "W" word? Jarret likes rap, does that make the "W" word apply? They all use slang any more, so the same question again. Once they realize that it doesn't really apply to them and they wouldn't want others applying it because it would hurt their feelings, they stop using it... at least in my hearing. The same as using the word gay. Some people live the way they live regardless of whether others approve or not, as is their right in this country. Applying a label to them doesn't help the situation. My kids eventually learned to use a person's name when speaking about them, not applying labels, at least when talking to me or where they think I can hear. I keep adding that part because two of them are completely grown, so their choices are their own, but if nothing else, perhaps they will remember what I've taught them :)And at least I can sleep at night knowing that I did what I could to prevent another bigot in this world. And once they're grown, that's all we have. Hugs, Kathy~ getting off her soapbox.

glitter-graphics.com I know I'm a day late, slept over at the hospital again.

WOW deb!! what a nice box to send!! i know you are gonna love to plant them sandy!! :')) when i went to go get em's gloves they had mostly little ones, then i was thinking well my hands are bigger, and what if she's like me and likes them looser?? hmm so i tried a bunch of different gloves on, and then i found a pair i thought were cool, and grabbed some, LOL and was just praying that she didn';t have dainty hands!! LOL :')) candles are always sooo nice to have!! :')) ohhh man this is gonna be close!! last time i put one at the 149 mark we went to 151 LOL i found this thing i'll post the link its way cool!! if ya like hummerbirds, you'll love this!! the video is sooo cool, she's feeding them out of her hand! well the flower is in her hand and the nector is in her hand. how awesome!!! LOL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9uxYy_Na3w i have to call my brother later and tell him to put vinegar on his poison ivy, it seems he's got it bad, he also got bit by a brown recluse maybe. his skin is black and has a hole. they called my mom and she talked to beth last night. i missed his call the other night. Errr!!! i really do need to keep in touch w my brothers more often! instead of just when i hear something aweful. i remember when it used to be a sunday thing, call everyone and talk and see whats been going on, geez now we just go about life and thats it. i'm trying to wait cuz he's in oregon and he's two hrs behind us. LOL lots of love!! hugs :')) hope everyone has a great day :')

that is sooo cool!! WOW!! a lavender grow kit!! :')) now talla wants to know what color your wings are?? :')) i said i would ask you :')) now i just got this in the mail, almost made me bawl like a baby!! its so touching!! i hope it don't make anyone mad, or anything She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?' The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.' Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?' The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.' Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, ' Mom , I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom ..' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.' Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep. It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said: 'Dear Mom , I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You'. I will always love you, Mom , even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom ? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me t o give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'where was He when I needed him?' 'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom , no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore the cancer is all gone.. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that? 'When you're down to nothing, God is up to something.' lots of love!! many hugs medo! i think we have one more box left to hear about, is that right?? from momcat?