Louie writes to her friend, Deidre, who lives in Nashville, just as she does. Deidre has four chlldren: Raylee, Sam, Forrest, and Dominick, who are ages 11, nine, seven, and four. The youngest (Forrest) has a form of autism.
Friday, May 27, 2005 (10:24 a.m., C.D.T.)~
Dear Deidre~
Thank you for your letter; it was good to hear from you again! I hope this finds you and the children in the best possible health!
That was funny when my little dog, "Cajun Gold", piddled on my leg; but she was so happy at seeing me, she couldn't control herself. Now, she usually has no problem in letting me know she has to go outside to do her thing (smile), but sometimes, in her excitement, she can't help it and she has an accident. But I then had a wet leg and a dirty pair of pants to wash, thanks to my exciteable little mutt! LOL I wasn't too mad at her; I was just annoyed, if anything else.
I loved the picture of the kitty you put on your letter; I love Maine Coons. My daughter, Ronee', has a Maine Coon, and she is the cutest, furriest, purriest little thing! She follows Ronee' everywhere, just like a little puppy, and it is so cute to watch the cat! Her name is "Cajun", and she is a tortie with white. I will put a picture of her on this letter; so enjoy! But I love all animals (excepting for BUGS or SPIDERS; they give me the CREEEEEEPS!!). Call me an animal lover at heart, but as for BUGS and stuff like that, welllllllllllll...I am not too fond of them! LOL When I was in Sri Lanka earlier this year, I had a BUG, a big, black beetle, try to make a home inside my MOUTH, and ever since, I WIG whenever I see a bug, especially if they are on the large side! *EWWW, EWWW, EWWW! CRINGING at the thought*
We had a wonderful time in Greece, and we would love to go back there one day. Sari and Nikolas' wedding went without a hitch, and they were glad that Bill and I could come. Frankly, so were WE! LOL The food and the people were absolutely FANTASTIC, and if we could go to Greece again, we would do it again in a heartbeat!
I can understand your fear of dogs; I have had a dog bite me too, on the hand, but I really never let it bother me. I was picking on the poor thing, and he got mad, I guess, so he let me have it. I just have a healthy respect for them now, and I love all dogs, even despite getting bit. I was a kid back then, and I didn't know any better, so I guess I got what I deserved. I also can understand your fear of horses (they ARE big, but once you get to know them and their moods, you will find them to be quite enjoyable and pleasant to be around). I also can understand your fear of bugs because as you can see I share the same feelings when it comes to things like spiders, snakes, and bugs! So we are on the same page there!
Your laundry problem sounds familiar; except in MY case, multiply it by several loads. That is what I have to contend with; I do laundry at least three/four times a week, just to keep up with the kids' clothes. But I don't mind it, especially if I happen to have help! :) Shopping is also a challenge, and when it comes to managing a family of fifty-two kids, we rely heavily on a tight, strict schedule that MUST be adhered to at all times, or chaos will ensue; and we also rely on taking turns, that way, everyone has a chance to help out in doing different chores, and nobody gets left out. Even our more seriously disabled kids (Jodie, Todd, Roberto, etc.) have things to do, and they enjoy helping mommy and daddy out very much.
Today, I was watching a program, "Home Delivery", and one of the things on there featured a little girl (13) who had a crippling, intense fear of dogs, and it kept her a virtual prisoner in her own home; and it was tearing her family to pieces because the poor child was miserable. Well, her mother wrote to "Home Delivery", and the "Home Delivery" team got together with the child and her family, and together, they worked with the child in overcoming her fears of dogs. Even cute, adorable, sweet puppies who wouldn't hurt a flea terrified her, her fear was that bad. They even had a phobia expert come help, and by the end of the day, the child overcame her fear. It wasn't easy, but slowly, and gradually, the child overcame her fear, and she now loves dogs and can have her uncle and aunt bring their dog to see her; and she just loves on him like she had never even been afraid of the dog! It was amazing!! I watch "Home Delivery" on a regular basis, and I love that show! I also watch "Today" and "America's Most Talented Kids" (thanks in part to my daughter, Ronee', being on; her show will be shown sometime this summer; we are looking forward to seeing it! She didn't win, but she still had a good time, and she came in third out of seven, so she didn't do TOO badly! :) ), and I watch "Faith Under Fire" and the Christian channels. We also watch the gospel music channel and some of the country music channels. And the kids watch "Nickolodeon" or the Learning Channel, and they also watch Animal Planet, Discovery, and the Health Channel. They don't watch a lot of tv, and what they DO watch has to go through ME or DADDY first before we approve. We are very strict about their tv habits, and some of the stuff they DO Watch IS junk, but a little junk sometimes can't hurt. Just as long as there is no questionable material or excess violence or sexual situations, we have no problem in letting them watch a program on tv. What shows do you watch on tv? As for the movie you mentioned, "Brother Bear", that is one of the kids' favorites, too, and later today, after the kids get out of school, we are taking them to see the new kids' film, "Madagascar". It looks cute and it looks like it will be funny. The movie is made by Dreamworks, the same studio that made "Prince of Egypt" and both "Shrek" films, and they do a great job.
Well, Deidre, I have gone on long enough. I am at work as I write this (slow day today, not much to do!), and if the bosses catch me not working, I may get canned; so I have to go. I should have waited a half hour (when I go on break, but I couldn't wait to write to you!), but I didn't. And best of all, I didn't get caught. (WHEW!) Take care, and I will write again soon. Hope to hear from you! Have a great holiday weekend; I plan on relaxing! :) God bless you too!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend, Louie Mayrah Sandusky. :D
Very "busy" letter with all the Tv programs and animals...amazing how you keep in touch with everything and eveyone...without getting lost!!
Thank goodness I don't have to do the laundry for those kids...lol!!
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
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Friday, May 27, 2005 (10:24 a.m., C.D.T.)~
