Most Liked Family Blogs (545)

I watched some, not all, of a highly emotional video although I REALLY hate videos which try to manipulate my emotions which is why I didn’t watch it all and haven’t linked it.

It was a tale of abortion refused, and the year that followed. Stripped of emotional throbbing-voice content, the facts are pretty simple.

The couple had five children already. They had previous drugs and drink issues. Four – FOUR – of the children had already been taken by the state as they were judged unfit parents. She tried to get number six aborted for a very real health issue but was refused. Strike one.

That health issue - she’d fallen pregnant again when her earlier child was three months old. The embryo was embedded in the C-section scar from her last pregnancy which meant chances of carrying to term were non-existent. Chances of life-threatening complications, extreme. Not good enough reason for an abortion. Strike two.

Complications indeed but both mother and child survived emergency premature birth and the child went straight into an incubator. The closest hospital with suitable facilities was an hour away. Mother America dug deep to pay the mother the life-changing $14 a week paid to mums whose kids are in hospital at a distance, to spend as she wished.

The baby was discharged, still needing a feeding tube and specialized care, and did I mention quite severely retarded? on the first birthday of its older sister, presenting serious care issues. Too young and too disabled to be put into day-care facility, but here’s a little problem, both parents work, neither parent eligible for European-style parental leave or support. In fact, it seems the states refusing abortion ironically offer the least support to mothers of newborns. Some American logic for you. Strike three.

Well, I gave up on the video at that point. Even the American who had posted it didn’t seem to realize how shatteringly badly it reflects on you as a supposedly advanced country, it was posted as a heartwarming tale of courage in the face of adversity, to tug at the heartstrings. Aw.



I drew some conclusions, then deleted them. What's the point. Add your own if you feel a need. I do find that my interest in your Big Issues, now I've seen your ignored ones, is diddly squat.

There’s a blog at the moment mocking the way Europe tries to look after its own and hoping America doesn’t go that way. I deleted my comments on that too.

A few times a week, I pass a cemetery that borders a major roadway. It's a huge piece of land, probably 4 acres and appears to be full of flowers on the grave-sites. The cemetery in Miami where my parents are buried doesn't permit artificial flowers and I don't know if this one does but, as they say, people are dying to get inside the place, hopefully those who are remembered will get real flowers and not fakes.

I can see when the ground is prepared for an upcoming burial as they have plywood covering the hole and a blue canopy with wheels set over the plot waiting for the event. Sometimes, there are a few scattered around the cemetery, especially on weekends.

If I pass by in the afternoon, traffic may be backed up at a red light giving more time to look over and see people visiting the graves of loved ones. One day, I saw a man sitting on the ground and appeared to be leaning over a small gravestone. He had a wheelchair that was tipped on it's side and partly folded, also a blanket laid out and what appeared to be a basket. My best guess would be, he brought food and intended to be there for a while.

From the street, you cannot see any roads or walkways, my guess is the passage ways run parallel to the highway and it would be extremely difficult for someone in a wheelchair to maneuver over the lawn to be where he was.

Twenty minutes later, after doing an errand, I passed the cemetery again and the man was still there. It's been a few days now and I keep thinking about it...



I chose the blog category: Family and think the man is still grieving over the loss of a loved one.

In my family, we have a tradition. Every Christmas Eve, we get together and enjoy some good food, some good conversation and some good times together.

In my family, Christmas Eve starts at noon on the 24th, and can sometimes run until midnight. Some of my family members attend church, but I am not really interested in attending church, so I just stay home, and usually I am watching tv or preparing something for later on in the evening. Once people are home from church, the table is filled with candy, cookies and drinks. Either soda or water for the kids, and beer for the adults. The food is then prepared at about 2.30 - 3 pm, so it'll be ready for 6 pm, when we sit down to eat.

Usually, the food is traditional Danish Christmas food: roasted pork, roasted duck, two types of potatoes (regular and caramelized), pickled cabbage, thick gravy and sometimes, we also have heated potato chips, as a side dish for the gravy.

After the food, we bring each bring out three small gifts, and place them in the middle of the table. It can be everything from a small toy to candy. There is a catch, though: All the gifts has to have a maximum value of 30 DKK, which is just under $5. Then, we bring out a dice and a raffle cup. We then take turns rolling the dice. If your dice lands on a six, you get to take a gift. Once all the gifts have been taken, the timer is set. Usually for about 15 minutes. For those next 15 minutes, if you roll a six, you are allowed to take a gift from someone. The aim of the game is to have as many gifts as possible, by the time the clock rings. It's always good fun, and it's always a huge hit.

Once we have distributed all the small gifts, it's time for the thing that no other country has: Risalamande. It is a dessert made of rice pudding mixed with whipped cream, sugar, vanilla, and chopped almonds. It is served cold with either warm or cold cherry sauce. Just to demonstrate how cruel/brilliant us Danes are, there is a tradition to the risalamande: a whole almond is added to the dessert, and the person who finds it wins a small prize such as a marzipan pig, a chocolate heart or a small board game. The finder may conceal their discovery as long as possible, so that the rest of the company is forced to eat the entire dish of risalamande, even after they have already devoured a large Christmas dinner.

If people are still awake by that time, it's time for the Christmas gifts. At this time, more candy, cookies and drinks are brought out. Usually, we have enough drinks to fill a swimming pool, and combined with what seems like about 30 kilos of food and snacks, most people go into a food coma. I am usually not hungry for the next few days after a Christmas Eve in my family.

Everyone is welcome - even friends. If someone doesn't have a place to celebrate Christmas Eve, they are welcome to spend it with my family. The only demand is three small gifts, and if they want to bring Christmas gifts for everyone, they are welcome to do that as well, but that's not a requirement.

I am looking forward to this years celebrations! We are going to be seven people, so it's gonna be a lot of fun!

I received a text message yesterday from a school friend I've known more than 50 years. Her husband and I communicate a few times a year and it's usually about other friends good and bad situations. The message was about another friend who passed away a few months ago. He was a retired attorney living in California and only a few years younger than me. Another one gone.

I dropped off the website for class reunions and she gives me updates.

As long as I've known her, she's been a vegetarian. She returned to Miami 12 years ago for a reunion and it must be working as she's about 125 pounds and most of her girlfriends who attended the event were no less than 180 pounds.

I'm expecting family holiday photos of her 2 kids and their families, then I could send them to my friends and say "Hey... do you remember ______?"

Oye Weh! WTF?
Texas teen reportedly turns Dad into the corrupt Fat Bald and Ignorant, for his illegal trespassing on January 6 in the Swamp. Lionized as a hero by the deep statist deep syndromic left, VERY deep. But we ask, was he indoctrinated to do so in our government schools? Soon a go fund me page, and a rich kid? And a book? Doubt it?
In my travels, speaking with every day folks, in the Anscluss Austria, the PRC, former USSdR, and post WWII fourth Reich, the latter was part of my undergrad degree in German, folks told me this sort of thing was once quite common, and encouraged by the Party. Rat on neighbors, and family.
Chairman Mao's Red Guard, Stalin's Komsomolkaya Pravda, Shickelgruber's H youth---what an interesting history. Calls for re-education camps, as for Uighurs, for us deranged Trumpsters, are not the only cautionary tales, peebles.
As always, don't just take my words for it. Just read.

I lost my younger brother on 23rd December 2021. He was 37 years old. He died of a heart attack. I am not happy on new year, I miss him a lot. Now life seems depressing and boring.
How uncertain is life. Everything you did, everything you thought was over in an instant.

I have heard people say that sharing reduces sorrow. That's why I'm trying to share my grief here.

I've accelerated my home shopping this month.
Last week, I went to see some single story townhouses. 1 and 2 bedroom 4-plex units in a 55+ community. I like the idea that parking is near each unit and some separation between buildings. Easy in and out of the development, but no gate or security guard.

There are some negative aspects... low ceilings, small bedrooms, baths & closets. The place is dreary and depressing to me, inside and out. The buildings are old and some appear that repairs aren't as timely as they should be. Coin operated laundry shared by each 4-plex. We met one guy who has been flipping units there, that could be something viable since I'm in the remodeling business. My daughter has flipped a few units over the years and mentioned she would partner with me on such a venture. For what they offer, the asking prices seemed high. Yes... negotiate, negotiate, negotiate.

I learned some important shopping tips from shopping with women. Men are different. A guy will buy the first thing that looks good. Women won't see a first choice... everything is a second or third choice. If a woman finds something that meets ALL of her search criteria, she will continue to shop for something better!

This week, I've been getting links from an agent featured in a different place. 3 and 4 story condos in a gated community. The development is easily ten times larger than the place with townhouses. Priced better, the 2 bedroom units are in the same price range as the 1 bedroom townhouses and the HOA is also less. There are more restrictions in the condos, including no pets (good) coin laundry shared by many. Some buildings must be primary residences... renters are not allowed. Personally, I think that would make the units hold their value.

Getting in and out of gated communities has it's delays. All the listings talk about the amenities. Pool, spa, exercise room, golf, theater... all the things I have no interest in. I'm really not looking forward to condo life. Stairs, assigned parking 50 yards away, laundry at the end of the wing.

The community is predominately Jewish. I worry we would be considered as outsiders. My wife has no religion and I worship internet. I mentioned to a friend about acceptance there and he said "Put that out of your mind." I'm also concerned if the community would be prejudice toward my Chinese wife. Again, he said "No worries mate, she's friendly and outgoing, they'd be drawn to her in an instant."

We are meeting the agent to look at some units tomorrow. Hopefully, everything goes well and we'll see something we like.

2 won ...1.8 billion plus..
I never tried to play lotto as I just believe, my luck is from my own sweats..but today, a colleague of mine called a family to play for me..
My Dad and my husband came to my dream last night , which they never appeared since they left. My husband still looked super dooper handsome, huggable,kissable, and my dad as well.
That was weird, but I felt so secured with these two men I loved so much.
My dad was telling me, you have been tested, I have that letter "L" for you.
I felt at peace, secure,and unbelievable feeling of knowing, don't worry about...and..and..and..and.
The right time is coming.
The two of them looked at me, and my dad told me, "you are a strong woman,despite the hardships and sufferings ,you could still smile and tell the world you're OK." I am so proud of you .
Then my husband spoke,with his loving eyes and awesome smile...said "It's time for you to move on"
I was waiting for the "L" all about, just when my alarm clock rang .
I woke up and it was clear as the still water in the ocean.
Wow! Am I going to die today? Did GOD did not grant me that 60 years of life I've been wishing?
"It's time for me to move on?"
I just noticed tears coming out from my eyes. I missed these two men I loved most in my life .
Anyhow , am pondering what L word was all about ..
I shared to my colleague about my dream at work today. Asking what L all about???one said Love..other said LOTTO. So she made the combination of numbers from the b days of these two men, when they died their age etc..and called her family back home to play those numbers for me.
So far 3 numbers came out..40 the age of my husband when he died, 1 his birthday month January, and 45, I did not know how she came out with those numbers.
Anyway , Lotto is not what letter L means ..
I tried to figure out those I get connected with, that the name starts with letter L.
He must be the love of my life???
Any clues about Letter L???kindly drop a comment please..

Just talked to my 3rd son, after work today.
I felt that pain, as am supposed helped them in every difficulties they are going through. He was worried last week, as he hadn't received any message that he was qualified for a scholarship exam, as he said it's very important for him. Last Monday he got a message for a positive response. The Exam will be this 21st of October. He had no time to review due to hectic schedules. Being the journalists in school,the editor of the school newspaper. Represent the school journalism competition. He already gave up some of the co curricular activities even his passion in music, as a band and bugle corp's leader as I told him so, as academics is more important .
A lot of projects to submit ..I felt like..it broke my heart..I could not help him with his tasks .
Now he is worried how he could make the scholarship exam , he did not reviewed at all.
The only thing I could help him is to give that courage...stock knowledge is always there and don't worry too much just do your best, and TRUST HIM.
I suggested him to sleep in a hotel on Friday and Saturday for him to relax and will not be late on the exam as our home would take an hour due to traffic and thought he could do some reading.
But Saturday is the awarding and recognition day, he must be there too. Hahhhhh, I could not imagine how busy he is.
But my eldest son, has always that magic in comforting me, "Don't worry mama, everything will be all right."..
Those who believed in God, who reads this blog of mine, may I ask your kind prayer, so for my son not to experience that mental black out during the exam.
I thank you all in advance..

Every Thanksgiving, I get invited to my ex-wife's family Thanksgiving dinner and every year, I get elected to carve the turkey. This year was no different. The turkey was smaller than usual probably because they had spiral cut ham and traditional jerk chicken.
Yeah.... jerk chicken for thanksgiving.

In the past, when I sliced the turkey, I did so in even slices. It went different this time and did more of a 'Boston Market' random cuts. they must have liked it as the plate was empty after 20 minutes.

At least 25 people showed up and more were arriving when I was leaving at sundown.

I got to see a sister-in-law who doesn't come to family gatherings very often as she lives a few hundred miles away. It must have been ten years... wow, that long?
We chatted for a while and I gave her the update to my side of the family. She's been living with a boyfriend going on 20 years now and they recently bought a house together.
Some people prefer not to be married and it appears to be working for them.

I took home a plate of food and still have a few cuts of the chicken. I will finish that off tomorrow!