Pablo con't.....

My son is 17, has faced many hurdles and obstacles. Although he is brilliant, he struggles with school - not so much the work, but the school system. He dropped out last semester, and is trying to get back on track through summer school. He battles depression issues(which means the family battles depression issues) and carries an attitude that will not serve him well in life.

Along with him, comes an orphan....my son from another mother. Cody has been my son's best friend since grade 6. His mother died shortly after birth, and father "abandoned". He was raised by his Nan who died of a brain tumour when Cody was 14. The boy drifted until I asked him to come be part of our family last year. He had some brushes with the law, and although everyone told me it was not my problem, I remembered my promise to his nan to watch over the boy when she was gone. A death bed promise is not to be taken lightly. I offered him one safe adult in the world to count on. Poor J-boy never really had a say in the matter, just supported me in my love and decision to stand by him no matter what. Cody is now 18 and is doing very well. Working very hard at turning his life around and the only thing that keeps him going is trying not to disappoint me. He still lives here - that makes 3 teenagers.

Then there's Matt - who skipped school incessantly and lost his job just before his 18th birthday, so on the 23rd of April, when he turned 18, he was kicked out of his home. After a couple of weeks finding him on the couch, I unofficially offered him a place to stay until he got his shit together. He now has a job, working towards full time, owes me soooo much money, but still lives here as part of the family and contributes to the house in every way but financiallly.....I'm thinking my supporting these kids is costing me a trip to Cuba this winter, however, there will be lots of time to travel.

Then came Jackie,,, my son's girlfriend. She just started to stay here - all the time - doesn't live with her parents for several reasons, but is a mini-mom and clean-a-holic.

These teens decided to start a gang! They call themselves Pablo's angels. They call me Pablo (beats Mrs. Rensby) I said there is no way I will be leader of a gang....I can see it now, police at my door saying teens are involved in a gang called Pablo's Angels but we don't know who Pablo is.....so the motive, guiding principles, motto of Pablo's Angels is to spread peace, love and good will to all people. I can live with that.

Then two more angels showed up. They are forced, through court order, to stay at local shelters. At 16 & 17, a shelter is no place for a teen! They are threatened, their company is drug addicts, prison releases, alcoholics and people with mental illnesses. I have offered them a safe place to be during the day. Good food in their belly. Showers and laundry facilities and a "membership in my gang"

Needless to say - having 7 teenagers in my house each day, all of them requiring more guidance than any of them will admit! I have offered all my nurturing abilities to making sure these kids have an adult who believes in them and help with dealing with the system, looking for a job, lifeskills etc!

They are such a joy to have around - and I mean that! Challenges aside, they are brilliant, funny, so loving and very polite. Too bad the rest of the world doesn't give them the same benefit of the doubt I have!

Lots of energy, but pay it forward right? I just want my express ticket to heaven! I don't have any cats now, but they're still cheaper!
Unknown "BELLOCCHIO" Content - 16 years, 5 months, 13 days ago

This is the story of Pablo.

Once upon a time, a cool woman named "me" had two kids that grew into teenagers. I consider my daughter a perfect teenager. I have no freaking idea how that happened given the parents.....however, she recently graduated grade 8 - with honours! She got the female athletic award for the graduating class, was M.C. at the grad ceremony, got "lettered" for her participation (she also helped in the office, was on student council and was part of the citizenship program at her school) Pride does not even begin to define how I felt that day. Unfortunately Daddy was not there to witness. His beautiful daughter referred to him throughout her speeches. How proud they must be of each other! She's 14 and will be going to high school next year (she say's I did academics, I did athletics, I'm going to try drama and dance next!). High school for me was wonderful and I only hope the best for her. But being the "perfect teenager" I don't imagine she will have nearly the hurdles that others face. There is no love like that of a mother and daughter!
Unknown "BELLOCCHIO" Content - 16 years, 5 months, 13 days ago

tons of love and good will to all my HP pets.

When my children were born, I started to kill plants. Not on purpose, it's just that my nurturing nature was focussed elsewhere. I still to this day do not do well with house plants, just ask J-boy who has to constantly remind me to water in his absence. Damn - be right back, have to water plants.

Then I took in stray cats, tons of them. We lived in the country and had an open door policy and always lots of food around.

Now I have graduated to teenagers. Cats were cheaper.


Unknown "BELLOCCHIO" Content - 16 years, 5 months, 13 days ago

Well, well, well....SPRING IS FINALLY HERE, for those of us who live in the great white north, It seems to most to have been a very long, hard winter...I would agree, except for the fact that for my beloved, it was longer, and harder. I have tried to be happy with what I have. I almost always feel happy. (PMS days exempt-that's not me it's hormones!!!!!!). This is not a brag, or slap in the face for some, or anything other than a celebration for me, a long hard road it's been. The road to happiness. So my job here on earth now is to share the happiness, spread a smile, give someone a "feelgood", find the silver lining, look for a piece of beauty.
Spring with all it's re-birth, freshness, growth etc will hopefully bring everyone as much joy as they can find every day. Today I will walk outside in my bare feet and feel the cold earth start to warm(watching out for newly thawed doggy poop)... today I will turn my face to the sun and smile(close your eyes so they don't get sunburned)..... today I will hug my children(after they shower....smelly teenagers)......today I will tell my mom I love her......today I will find joy in every little thing....

Happy Spring Sunday everyone!!!!
Unknown "BELLOCCHIO" Content - 16 years, 8 months, 24 days ago

well my mother always said that sometimes I just fight for the cause......

So this censorship stuff, although being a parent and understanding, I have steered my children away from Human Pets and hope their better judgement rules....

"Donation to Human Pets" - can we write it off on our income tax as we would a donation to Greenpeace, WSPA, SPCA,PETA - and other such animal oriented organizations...

Patrick made this, he opened it - like Pandora's box....

I say Peaceful Protest - kinda like a sit in

If we all just start randomly reporting cute animal pics, cute cartoons, harmless stuff, and bombard the censors with useless stuff, they will have to investigate tons of phonies to find one legitmate "complaint"

Let's start a revolution. A day of random reporting......Apologies to anyone who get's caught by this - honestly I'm thumbing Bambi, flowers, bunnies, sunsets etc...if the censors come after you for the stuff I'm reporting - they're definitely on crack.

To those who know me - I'm NOT reporting anything at all with sexual connotations, want them to stay there for us to play.

(I'm such a rebel)


Unknown "BELLOCCHIO" Content - 16 years, 9 months, 7 days ago