I had my only grandchild every weekend until she started school and became involved in activities. I never hear from my daughter or grandchild. I asked why she doesn't come to my house any more (she's 8) and she replied, "She doesn't like the long drive" (30 minutes away) However, she can drive to her aunt's home (father's side of family) which is 1 hour away. I find this very strange, as we have always had a good relationship. I live alone and am the caregiver for my mother, so it is very difficult to get away, not knowing when they are home (both work in town). The father's mother has always been there raising the child from birth. They come and go daily for meals and or whatever else they need. We have always exchanged gifts at Christmas and I treat them both the same. This year, I didn't even get a thank you nor the usual gift card that has been given in the past. This might sound petty but I am telling you this to show how distant they have become. I'm not in their business and on the rear occasion when I do talk to my daughter about activities of my grandchild, the activity is on that day or has past. It appears the only communication is on Facebook and this is only when she wants something. It's like I'm on F/B so I must be OK. She's not involved with any family activities on our side of the family. It's just beyond me. I am considering just cutting her out of my life because it is so hurtful....am I wrong to do this.

Carol Ann, this was a free pattern I found on the internet, but for the life of me I cannot seem to locate the site anymore. Here is the pattern: Knit this in the round on #7 dpn's using worsted weight yarn. Gauge is 4 st per inch Earflaps, make 2 Cast on 3 st kfb in first st of each row and knit remainder of st until you have 15 st. Leave a 12 in tail and place on holder or dpn With working yarn purl across first earflap begining at opposite end as tail. With the tail in front and working yarn to the back cast on 13 st using long tail method. Now, purl across second earflap as done with the first one. Cast on 21 st as before. Join and work three rounds in garter st. switch to St st and work until hat measures 5 in. Decreases: Round 1: K6, k2tog Round 2 and all even rows: K Round 3: K5, k2tog Round 5: K4, k2tog Continue in this manner until you have 4 st remaining, k one round. Break yarn leaving a 6 inch tail, using a yarn needle draw the tail thru all remaining stiches to finish. I added the ties and the seed stitch chevrons. It's such an easy pattern.

I'm so sorry that you had to put Taco down. Although with this diagnosis, it's only a matter of when. Yesterday I fed Poco several small meals of brown rice in addition to her regular food. This morning was the first day in many that she did not start seizing as we were eating breakfast. Even though I feed her some hot dog slices (with meds) and some dry food every morning, I think the complex carb snack before bedtime kept her blood sugar levels on an even keel so that she did not wake up dangerously low. So I can't thank you enough for that tip! I can't say when this all started. Poco has always (we got her at a year old) had an off-on shimmy-shake in her hind legs, and she was diagnosed with Doggie Alzheimer's last year. Plus, she's been on thyroid meds for a couple of years, and had a near-Cushing's diagnosis several years ago. So her metabolism has been a little crazy, she's shown some odd behaviors, and is also just a little creaky/stiff in general with old age. But the "a little more shaky than usual" episodes quickly turned into full-blown seizures just this summer. We really knew something was going wrong when she fell into the pool and was going down for the count - normally she's like a little tug boat in the water, so it was a real shock to see her flailing away. She must have seized and slipped in as I was tossing her a ball from the water, and then couldn't coordinate her movements. Very scary. I'm so glad that I work from home and can keep an eye on everything. I work in the sunroom overlooking the pool, so I always know where she is, and when she goes in and out of the doggie door. It's tough. I knew this day was coming eventually, but all of a sudden we seem to be in the end game. I know I'll be able to do the right thing, but I will miss her so when she is gone. Have you gotten another ferret? They are such funny cute little guys! I love that name, Taco. We'll definitely get another dog at some point, but they'll never be another one quite like this one. Thanks for the kind thoughts, Susan

DH-Worked hard to provide for us and appreciated the fact that I was a SAHM. He was very very involved in the kids activities and spent a lot of quality kid time with them as well as sharing care-giving duties from day one. He is generous to a fault. He can do laundry, clean the bathroom and repair or build just about anything. He cannot cook however so he is banned from the kitchen except to nuke stuff.LOL DS- #1 is he is extremely kind to women. Girls always flocked to him. For a long while he appeared to have his own harem. LOL He absolutely adores his SO and is extremely protective of her without being the least bit controlling. He is a true believer in equal rights but chivalry is his middle name. He has my back. A real tough guy with a gentle nature. D(quite likely)SIL to be- He loves my DD and shows it in every way both large and small. A hard worker who wants a family to provide for and who doesn't have the materialist expectations of his generation. He has solid values and isn't afraid to fight and work hard for what he wants. As my DD puts it... he's a combination of her brother and the best qualities of the two other main loves of her life before him without the negative ones.