I am transferring my blog post from Live Journal over here to Blogger. I will start with the newest first so that the last post I post will be the oldest one from LJ. That way you can scroll down and read it in order.
January 8, 2009
We just had a 5.0 earthquake. It felt stronger. Seemed to last a long time. Enough time that I stood there, then looked at Peanut, then at the big sliding glass door, and said, lets go under the table.
So we did. First time I ever did that and I have lived through a lot of big quakes here in So. California.
I was afraid that the glass door might break and I wanted to be a good example to Peanut. he he he
Nothing broke. The quake was centered here near my house. Wow.
When it happened I told Peanut that it was either an earthquake or the space shuttle just landed. When they land at Edwards Air Force base we can hear the sonic boom and feel the rattling of our house.
This was a noisy quake.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
A post from the Past: January 14, 2009
I am transferring my blog post from Live Journal over here to Blogger. I will start with the newest first so that the last post I post will be the oldest one from LJ. That way you can scroll down and read it in order.
January 14, 2009
I have the best news ever. Yesterday I had court for the guardianship of my granddaughter Peanut. I filed for guardianship right after my daughter Sierra died. It has almost been 2 years since she died. Next Monday the 19th will be the anniversary.
I have been in and out of court for the last 2 years. In the beginning Alexis was with her dad. Then on Oct. 30, 2007 the judge granted me temporary guardianship. This was wonderful. Alexis came to live with me on that day.
Now on January 13, 2009 The judge gave me the PERMANENT Guardianship. It was so fantastic.
In the same court house, on the second floor (I was on the 3rd floor), the father was being sentenced for cultivation.
He did have 6 felony counts but 5 were dismissed in a plea bargain. He was in criminal court for his sentencing. He got 365 days in county jail and 36 months of probation. He had court again in February for restitution for stealing electricity.
So we waited on the 3rd floor for his appearance. He came up with his lawyer. There was an extra sheriff too. We had our turn with the judge. The fathers lawyer always says mean and horrible things and he did it again. He always brings up my daughters death. He is so unfeeling like she was no one. He says every time in open court that she was a suicide, which I don't believe she was. This lawyer had said to my lawyer, a month after Sierras death, that he was gearing up for a murder trial. His client, the dad, Chris, was going to be facing murder charges. It all changed when the district attorney declined to go forward with the case.
In court also this attorney told the judge that he wants a new therapist for Alexis. His reason, Last week when we were in a therapy session, the father called. (he has phone visits monitored, recorded during the therapy sessions) and when Peanut got on the phone she asked him, "did you shoot my mommy?" She said this about 4 times because her dad would not give an answer. This was totally from her mind. She wants to know. No one put the words in her mouth. I was surprised when I heard her ask that question. So anyway, in court the father's attorney tells the judge that Peanut got on the phone and asked "did you kill my mommy?". The attorney said that Peanut is being told things in sessions that are untrue because he said that her mother was a suicide.
He rambled on and on, saying things like: The grandmother is blocking the fathers family from visiting or calling.
This is baloney because they have never called me. I have caller ID and an answering machine. They never have contacted me. I would only let them visit in my home with me there. They don't even send her a birthday card or Christmas card. Then he said that I want to move out of state and I should not be allowed to move.
He also said that he wanted the phone visits to continue from prison. And when Chris gets out of jail he will want to take his daughter back and raise her so they wanted the temporary guardianship to last just till Chris got out. Which he said that Chris will probably only serve 9 months.
I guess to them I am just a babysitter.
Peanut's Attorney spoke next. (Peanut was assigned an attorney by the court. I also have my own attorney separate from Peanut.) Peanut's attorney said that she was against phone visits from the beginning and absolutely does not want any phone visits from jail. She said that Peanut should be with the grandmother. She was really good.
Then my attorney spoke. He said that it was time to give the permanent guardianship. And that I had no problem talking to Chris' family. And that I would stay in California.
The judge listened to everyone, then he said that he grants the permanent guardianship. He said that I was to stay in California, he said Peanut is to remain with her current therapist and there will be no telephonic communication.
After it was all done, the sheriff came and slapped on the handcuffs and took him away. All in front of everyone in the court room. WOW
So we WON. Peanut will be with me till she is 18 by court order, and longer if she wants to. I told her the news and she was so happy. I didn't tell her that her dad was in jail. I want to do that in her therapy session on Friday.
So after 2 years our lives can settle down and the black cloud of Peanut being taken away from me is gone. The dad can try to get her back later but the burden of proving he is capable and that I am no good shifts to him. He would have to go through drug classes and probably parenting classes and pass.
I'm so happy. Yeah!!!!

This photo is from our Christmas trip to Idaho in 2008. Carol & Peanut aka Gramma & GD.
January 14, 2009
I have the best news ever. Yesterday I had court for the guardianship of my granddaughter Peanut. I filed for guardianship right after my daughter Sierra died. It has almost been 2 years since she died. Next Monday the 19th will be the anniversary.
I have been in and out of court for the last 2 years. In the beginning Alexis was with her dad. Then on Oct. 30, 2007 the judge granted me temporary guardianship. This was wonderful. Alexis came to live with me on that day.
Now on January 13, 2009 The judge gave me the PERMANENT Guardianship. It was so fantastic.
In the same court house, on the second floor (I was on the 3rd floor), the father was being sentenced for cultivation.
He did have 6 felony counts but 5 were dismissed in a plea bargain. He was in criminal court for his sentencing. He got 365 days in county jail and 36 months of probation. He had court again in February for restitution for stealing electricity.
So we waited on the 3rd floor for his appearance. He came up with his lawyer. There was an extra sheriff too. We had our turn with the judge. The fathers lawyer always says mean and horrible things and he did it again. He always brings up my daughters death. He is so unfeeling like she was no one. He says every time in open court that she was a suicide, which I don't believe she was. This lawyer had said to my lawyer, a month after Sierras death, that he was gearing up for a murder trial. His client, the dad, Chris, was going to be facing murder charges. It all changed when the district attorney declined to go forward with the case.
In court also this attorney told the judge that he wants a new therapist for Alexis. His reason, Last week when we were in a therapy session, the father called. (he has phone visits monitored, recorded during the therapy sessions) and when Peanut got on the phone she asked him, "did you shoot my mommy?" She said this about 4 times because her dad would not give an answer. This was totally from her mind. She wants to know. No one put the words in her mouth. I was surprised when I heard her ask that question. So anyway, in court the father's attorney tells the judge that Peanut got on the phone and asked "did you kill my mommy?". The attorney said that Peanut is being told things in sessions that are untrue because he said that her mother was a suicide.
He rambled on and on, saying things like: The grandmother is blocking the fathers family from visiting or calling.
This is baloney because they have never called me. I have caller ID and an answering machine. They never have contacted me. I would only let them visit in my home with me there. They don't even send her a birthday card or Christmas card. Then he said that I want to move out of state and I should not be allowed to move.
He also said that he wanted the phone visits to continue from prison. And when Chris gets out of jail he will want to take his daughter back and raise her so they wanted the temporary guardianship to last just till Chris got out. Which he said that Chris will probably only serve 9 months.
I guess to them I am just a babysitter.
Peanut's Attorney spoke next. (Peanut was assigned an attorney by the court. I also have my own attorney separate from Peanut.) Peanut's attorney said that she was against phone visits from the beginning and absolutely does not want any phone visits from jail. She said that Peanut should be with the grandmother. She was really good.
Then my attorney spoke. He said that it was time to give the permanent guardianship. And that I had no problem talking to Chris' family. And that I would stay in California.
The judge listened to everyone, then he said that he grants the permanent guardianship. He said that I was to stay in California, he said Peanut is to remain with her current therapist and there will be no telephonic communication.
After it was all done, the sheriff came and slapped on the handcuffs and took him away. All in front of everyone in the court room. WOW
So we WON. Peanut will be with me till she is 18 by court order, and longer if she wants to. I told her the news and she was so happy. I didn't tell her that her dad was in jail. I want to do that in her therapy session on Friday.
So after 2 years our lives can settle down and the black cloud of Peanut being taken away from me is gone. The dad can try to get her back later but the burden of proving he is capable and that I am no good shifts to him. He would have to go through drug classes and probably parenting classes and pass.
I'm so happy. Yeah!!!!
This photo is from our Christmas trip to Idaho in 2008. Carol & Peanut aka Gramma & GD.
A post from the Past: January 18, 2009
I am transferring my blog post from Live Journal over here to Blogger. I will start with the newest first so that the last post I post will be the oldest one from LJ. That way you can scroll down and read it in order.
January 18, 2009
JANUARY 19 is my daughter Sierra's angelversary. I want to remember her with some photos.


Sierra Carol January 28, 1983 to January 19, 2007 She was 23 years old when she died.

Sierra Christmas 2000, a few months after her daddy died (my hubby).
This was our first Christmas without Richard. Usually we would decorate the house from top to bottom. Here we are so sad that our tree hardly have any ornaments on. Usually it is full of handmade ornaments from years of children making them and myself making them or collecting them. But we didn't even get out any of the old things.

Sierra & Alexis 2006. She died a few months after this photo.

1983 Sierra and I when she was only 6 months old. She was so beautiful.

Sierra & Carol in Madrid Spain 1998
I miss her greatly. Peanut misses her more. You are always in our memories Sierra and forever in my heart.
Your mom Carol
January 18, 2009
JANUARY 19 is my daughter Sierra's angelversary. I want to remember her with some photos.
Sierra Carol January 28, 1983 to January 19, 2007 She was 23 years old when she died.
Sierra Christmas 2000, a few months after her daddy died (my hubby).
This was our first Christmas without Richard. Usually we would decorate the house from top to bottom. Here we are so sad that our tree hardly have any ornaments on. Usually it is full of handmade ornaments from years of children making them and myself making them or collecting them. But we didn't even get out any of the old things.
Sierra & Alexis 2006. She died a few months after this photo.
1983 Sierra and I when she was only 6 months old. She was so beautiful.
Sierra & Carol in Madrid Spain 1998
I miss her greatly. Peanut misses her more. You are always in our memories Sierra and forever in my heart.
Your mom Carol
A post from the Past: February 3, 2009
I am transferring my blog post from Live Journal over here to Blogger. I will start with the newest first so that the last post I post will be the oldest one from LJ. That way you can scroll down and read it in order.
February 3, 2009

Today is Richard's birthday. He would have been 56 years today. He died when he was 47 yrs.
I sure do miss him. He was my boyfriend when I was only 15 years old. We met in high school. We married 3 years later. I was 17 yrs & 11 months old.
We had 3 kids. He was my best friend and I really wish he was here with me now. I am so tired of being alone. I have Peanut with me but I mean as an adult I am alone.
He was my first big love. He was my first to make love with. He was my everything.
He is burried with our daughter Sierra. It all sucks. Why am I the only person I know who at a young age has 2 close family members die?

Tomorrow will be a better day. Jesus gives me strength for all the tomorrows.
February 3, 2009
Today is Richard's birthday. He would have been 56 years today. He died when he was 47 yrs.
I sure do miss him. He was my boyfriend when I was only 15 years old. We met in high school. We married 3 years later. I was 17 yrs & 11 months old.
We had 3 kids. He was my best friend and I really wish he was here with me now. I am so tired of being alone. I have Peanut with me but I mean as an adult I am alone.
He was my first big love. He was my first to make love with. He was my everything.
He is burried with our daughter Sierra. It all sucks. Why am I the only person I know who at a young age has 2 close family members die?
A post from the Past: February 14, 2009
I am transferring my blog post from Live Journal over here to Blogger. I will start with the newest first so that the last post I post will be the oldest one from LJ. That way you can scroll down and read it in order.
February 14, 2009

I haven't written in a while. Today was Valentines Day so Peanut and I headed up to "The Ranch". At least it use to be my chicken ranch. Now my son and his wife are buying it and building a house on it. The chickens are gone and the chicken buildings are taken down. My kids have put up corals, and a small chicken coop for their pretty barred Rock hens and some brown hens.
They had 2 horses but as of today they have one. She is a sweet horse that Anne (my daughter in law) is training for riding. Anne has a gift with horses.
It snowed at The Ranch yesterday and last week up to 2 feet. Can you believe it? Snow in So. California? But they are nestled in the foothills there and it gets cold. So today was sunny and the snow had melted. There was mud everywhere. Peanut was having so much fun playing but she was a mud ball. My 2 grandsons aka her cousins were there.
There is a new addition to the family. Yesterday Roland and Anne brought home 2 Barbado sheep. She called them Hair Sheep. They do not have the kind of hair that you would shear. They have hair like a goat. But they are sheep. I heard Virgil Baa. Yes, they are boys and their names are Virgil and Wyatt. They are only 2 weeks old right now. Since they are boys they will get horns that curl around. They will get big like a regular sheep.
They are being bottle fed so that they will be super tame. Virgil and Wyatt (Earp) will be pets. They won't be for meat. So that is why the will be hand fed and cuddled.
Here are the pictures of these cute little boys with their new parents, (my kids) Anne & Roland:



February 14, 2009
I haven't written in a while. Today was Valentines Day so Peanut and I headed up to "The Ranch". At least it use to be my chicken ranch. Now my son and his wife are buying it and building a house on it. The chickens are gone and the chicken buildings are taken down. My kids have put up corals, and a small chicken coop for their pretty barred Rock hens and some brown hens.
They had 2 horses but as of today they have one. She is a sweet horse that Anne (my daughter in law) is training for riding. Anne has a gift with horses.
It snowed at The Ranch yesterday and last week up to 2 feet. Can you believe it? Snow in So. California? But they are nestled in the foothills there and it gets cold. So today was sunny and the snow had melted. There was mud everywhere. Peanut was having so much fun playing but she was a mud ball. My 2 grandsons aka her cousins were there.
There is a new addition to the family. Yesterday Roland and Anne brought home 2 Barbado sheep. She called them Hair Sheep. They do not have the kind of hair that you would shear. They have hair like a goat. But they are sheep. I heard Virgil Baa. Yes, they are boys and their names are Virgil and Wyatt. They are only 2 weeks old right now. Since they are boys they will get horns that curl around. They will get big like a regular sheep.
They are being bottle fed so that they will be super tame. Virgil and Wyatt (Earp) will be pets. They won't be for meat. So that is why the will be hand fed and cuddled.
Here are the pictures of these cute little boys with their new parents, (my kids) Anne & Roland:
A post from the Past: February 17, 2009
I am transferring my blog post from Live Journal over here to Blogger. I will start with the newest first so that the last post I post will be the oldest one from LJ. That way you can scroll down and read it in order.
February 17, 2009
Today this box was in my mailbox. It was a surprise gift from Monkeyspinner. She went to school with my daughter Sierra. She use to come and talk about chickens with Richard. She is studying Fiber Arts and Science (I think). She traveled to Peru last Christmas to visit friends and did a little shopping. She sent me and Peanut, aka Jelly Bean some goodies.
Right now I have Peanut in bed and I am enjoying a tasty cup of hot tea of canela & clavo which is cinnamon & clove. It's yummy. Peanut and I tried some of the chocolates. Yum. The big bar of chocolate is for making hot cocoa. The directions are in spanish. hehehehe The little coin purse is made in Peru. It is embroidered with a little bird. It is for Peanut. She was so happy that she sat down and wrote a thank you to Autumn. She wrote that she likes the present and that she likes Autumn and Autumn is like you. Then she drew a picture of a tree with orange leaves on it. She's funny. Ok, NOW feast your eyes on the Baby Alpaca yarn on the left of the picture. Isn't it beautiful?
The Baby Alpaca is a beautiful shade of Burgundy. Like rich red wine. It is so soft and yummy. I can't wait to knit up something very pretty with it. Thank you so much Autumn. Your so sweet. I have been putting together a little package to send up to Autumn and have been slow in getting it in the mail. So now I feel bad that I was slow. Oh well the rain is suppose to be gone tomorrow and I will run to the post office. Thank you Autumn. The candies and Alpaca and Tea and purse are so nice.
A post from the Past: February 22, 2009
I am transferring my blog post from Live Journal over here to Blogger. I will start with the newest first so that the last post I post will be the oldest one from LJ. That way you can scroll down and read it in order.
February 22, 2009
February 22, 2009
Here are some finished projects I have been knitting on. I haven't posted in a while so there are a few.
Pattern: Queen of Beads by Sivia Harding
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts-Socks that Rock Light weight- Merino
Color: My Blue Heaven
Beads: Blue/teal
From the Rockin' Sock Club - Blue Moon Fiber Arts
January sock 2009
And here they are in my new Dansko shoes. They look so cute I want to wear high water pants to show them off. LOL
Here are a pair of socks I knit.
Pattern: Basic Sock. Ribbing cuff down, Stocking st. on sole. K1,S1 heel.
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts-Socks that Rock- light weight Merino
Colorway: The Cookie Next Door.
I gave the socks to my dear friend Karen.

I Knit a hat.
Pattern: High Peaks Hat by Anne Hanson
Yarn: BMFA Socks that Rock- Merino
Color: Jubilation in heavyweight.
I think I look bad in a hat so I might give this to my granddaughter.

I knit a pair of socks for my son Roland's birthday.
Yarn: S.R. Kertzer- On Your Toes 4 ply. Wool & nylon.
Color: Grey/tan/white
I didn't use a pattern. I did ribbing then just stockinette stitch. I did an eye of partridge heel.

Then I made a pair of socks for me. I knit them during the Christmas trip to Idaho. It only took me 6 days, my all time record.
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, socks that rock-merino
Color: Chapman Springs.
Pattern: Ribbing all the way except the sole. Heel flap K1, S1
Cuff Down.

Here is a hat I knit.
Pattern: none
Yarn: Handspun BFL
Spun by: Peanut, 7 year old girl
Knit by: Grandma, Carol

I knit 2 mitts.
Pattern: Fetching
Yarn: Knit Pick Bare wool- Hand dyed by me-Carol
Dyed: plants in my yard & onion skins

I also knit a scarf.
Pattern: Irish Hiking Scarf
Yarn: Malabrigo worsted merino
Color: Velvet Grapes
This was a Christmas present for my daughter in law Bambi.

I have several other projects that are works in progress. I need more time to knit. Don't we all?
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts-Socks that Rock Light weight- Merino
Color: My Blue Heaven
Beads: Blue/teal
From the Rockin' Sock Club - Blue Moon Fiber Arts
January sock 2009
Here are a pair of socks I knit.
Pattern: Basic Sock. Ribbing cuff down, Stocking st. on sole. K1,S1 heel.
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts-Socks that Rock- light weight Merino
Colorway: The Cookie Next Door.
I gave the socks to my dear friend Karen.
I Knit a hat.
Pattern: High Peaks Hat by Anne Hanson
Yarn: BMFA Socks that Rock- Merino
Color: Jubilation in heavyweight.
I think I look bad in a hat so I might give this to my granddaughter.
I knit a pair of socks for my son Roland's birthday.
Yarn: S.R. Kertzer- On Your Toes 4 ply. Wool & nylon.
Color: Grey/tan/white
I didn't use a pattern. I did ribbing then just stockinette stitch. I did an eye of partridge heel.
Then I made a pair of socks for me. I knit them during the Christmas trip to Idaho. It only took me 6 days, my all time record.
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, socks that rock-merino
Color: Chapman Springs.
Pattern: Ribbing all the way except the sole. Heel flap K1, S1
Cuff Down.
Here is a hat I knit.
Pattern: none
Yarn: Handspun BFL
Spun by: Peanut, 7 year old girl
Knit by: Grandma, Carol
I knit 2 mitts.
Pattern: Fetching
Yarn: Knit Pick Bare wool- Hand dyed by me-Carol
Dyed: plants in my yard & onion skins
I also knit a scarf.
Pattern: Irish Hiking Scarf
Yarn: Malabrigo worsted merino
Color: Velvet Grapes
This was a Christmas present for my daughter in law Bambi.
I have several other projects that are works in progress. I need more time to knit. Don't we all?
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