It's raining on and off this morning. It is gray and kind of gloomy out. I love the way it smells after just alittle bit of rain has fallen... that wet, dirty earth smell. It is wonderful, kind of relaxing.

   Anyhow, a few things have gone down over the last few days. I just don't understand it all. My niece may not being staying here for going to school. Over the weekend she went with her parents to stay for the weekend and on Saturday all I got was an earful of crap that my niece was telling everyone.

   First, I want to go on the record and say that I understand kids do these things to get attention. I'm not mad at her... rather disappointed. I understand the hardships she has already had to deal with in her short 12 years of being here on Earth. And I understand she did and said these things just for the attention from her parents, but it still doesn't make it alright in my book.

   First, she has told her parents that my oldest son has "stolen" some of her "Littlest Petshop" animals. So now, everyone is being mean and saying mean things about my son.

   I am like a mother lion. If you try to attack my children I will ABSOLUTLY go after you. Don't mess with my kids. I am very proptective with them and my kids are good kids and would NEVER, NEVER in a million years do something like steal!

   Anyhow, so I go to my niece last night and I ask her about these allegations. I say to her, "Dani, when you left on Friday you had all your toys with you. and today you were just complaning that you can't find three and now we have found those three so where does this stealing take place?"

   She looks at me confussed and says, "huh?" I said to her that if she has all of the toys now. and had all the toys this morning. Then how did Ethan steal them before Friday?

    She goes on to tell me she told her mom that she thinks he stole them, not that he actually stolen them. I ask her why she would even bring something like that up unless she had proof. She claims she doesn't know it was just a feeling she had. So I ask her again, how can he have stolen them if they were all with you when you made these allegations. She just gets quiet and won't answer me. I ask her how many of these little pets did she have when she came to our house. She told me 101. I count them and I found 107! So, she hasn't lost any but gain 6! If anyone should be complaining it should be my 7 yr old because obviously, Dani has some of hers!

   I try to explain to her that I'm not mad at her but I'm disappointed because she lied and tried to get my son in trouble. I try to explain that it isn't nice to accuse someone of something if she doesn't have proof. She won't answer me or even acknowledge that she understands why I'm disappointed. So I tell her we will put it behind us and next time to either come to me first so we can find the truth or get proof that someone has done what she has accused. She's mad at me now. Too bad I say.

   Next, I find out she is telling her parents that I won't allow her to take showers. That is just crazy! Why in the world would I not allow her to take showers?

   Next, I find out her dad is mad because I am making Dani follow our rules and Dani isn't happy here because I resrtict them too much and I'm too hard on my kids.

   Let me tell you what these restrictions are and then you guys can voice your oppinion and tell me if I'm being too strict. I live right bhind a very popular collage here in south central Pennsylvania. The college students are back and our street is very busy with traffic and college kids walking up and down the sidewalks. My niece wants me to let her walk all over the neighborhood by herself with my children and walk to the college track, which is behind my house but still far enough away, and I'm being  mean because I won't let her. I won't let her, or my kids, because who knows who could grab them! These college student boys might look at these pretty girls, who look older than they actually are, and might try to do something to them! Oor they could very easily, get hit by a car. these students speed through our streets without a care in the world!

   I don't feel I'm being over protective here. My brother says, they let their kids go where they want because it develops their independence.  So, I suppose if his daughters get kidnapped or raped, they can chalk it up to a life experience of independence? That is crazy!

   Then, I'm getting crap because I make the kids have a 9:30 bedtime. My brother says this is too early for his daughter and she isn't used to going to bed that early. No kidding, she has been staying up talking and playing with my daughter till 2 am everynight! Dani, calls her parents up and complains right in front of me that it isn't fair she has to go to bed so early. I guess, I'm suppose to put my family to bed and myself and then say to Dani that she can stay up and go to bed whenever she pleases?

   These people are nuts! This is my house, my rules! I said, I would not make special treatment for her. if she is here she MUST follower the same rules my kids follow.

    How are these rules so hard to go by? I don't understand how they can bite the hand that is feeding them. I'm amazed at how ignorant they are being. What am I suppose to do or say about this. I help and all I get now is crap for it. It hurts me deeply. Here I thought I was doing good for them and her... but now it is all just a slap in my face.