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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Four Girls


by Dianne_in_Denver

I have a two part story to share with all of you. The first part is showing how things have changed for the children in today's world and the second part is just a cute story of four little girls talking.

My two granddaughters and two friends were waiting for a mom to pick them up from school. They went to the end of the playground by the curb to look for the mom and a man was there taking pictures. These girls were scared to death as they had just been warned that someone at a nearby school was taking pictures of little children. They ran back to the school just in time for the mother to pick them up. My daughter was there also and they rode around looking for this person that "was taking their pictures." After a long search, the girls started screaming and were very scared as they saw the man. The moms stopped and asked him if he had seen anyone taking pictures. He said he was there taking pictures of a car that was being sold and he noticed the girls and how they were running away. He showed the adults the pictures to assure them it was only a picture or two of a car with a for sale sign in it. The girls learned to NOT leave the school even for a second. They all went over to my daughters and sat outside on the trampoline to "have a talk."

Now comes the second part of this story as told to me by my 10 year old granddaughter: Of the four girls, one of them has bad asthma, another one is just back to school after heart surgery and then my youngest granddaughter and the oldest. They decided that IF this ever happened again the girl with the asthma would head up the run, the heart patient second and my little 8 yr old third with Kayla, the oldest, being last. Their reasoning was, if the one with asthma had an attack, Kayla would be able to have the others put that child on her back to carry her to safety. The same thought if something happened to the heart patient or my youngest as she is small. Now you have to know that Kayla is not a very big girl herself but since she is the OLDEST (and the fastest runner) she is pretty sure she would be able to save them. I asked her, "What if something happened to both of the sick girls?" She felt she could carry one and they could try and drag the other one. I also asked, "What if the person tried to catch one of them and he could only reach the last one?" Kayla said I was just worried because it would be her and the other mothers would worry if their child was last.

Yes, these girls had it all figured out---just in case---it ever happened again. It was frightening for them, but the innocence of children "figuring it out" made me smile.....that my granddaughter thinks she can save them and that all four of them --had a plan!! Oh what a different world we live in!

91 comments:

Lynn D said...

Morning Glories!

Oh Dianne what a sad world when little girls have to worry about an escape plan but at the same time I am impressed at their resourcefulness! Kayla is just a giving and protective soul isn't she? Imagine figuring out a plan to save each person but really not herself. She would sacrafice for the others. Damn now I am teary eyed again. Give those girls a great big hug from Aunty Lynn D!

I hope you are feeling better today! 4 root canals!!!! That makes me want to go screaming into the hills!

Lynn D said...

From Area 51:

Tina finally watched the video clip! I LOL'D and then was disgusted! It answers my question "Do stupid people know they are stupid?" NOPE!

Goldie I think your rack wins hands down!!! As for the second picture I achieve that cleavage with the aid of a rope and pulley system built into my bra!

MEK and Carol I have been thinking that Carol can attach a pad on the inside of her head band and all around the inside of her work out pants! OMG ROFLMAO!

Barb charging my phone! Travel safe!

Shirley hoping all goes well at the doctor and they can help you! I think you must have inherited my cycle as I have not had one in two months!

Going to go chug the cawffee pot!

night.owls.sb said...

Morning LynnD.. Hope you have a good day, and yellow is close by.. :O)

goldie said...

Good Morning Hooters!
Congrats on 1st Lynn.
I have the same rope and pully- wait till I post the other pics on myspace. My mother is the same pose! The necklace also graduated High School with my nephew on Sunday!
The rack is courtesy of Mr. Goldie- I almost couldn't get the necklace on the damn thing it is so big!

Dianne- sorry the girls were scared- but how great is it that they have a 'plan' all worked out.
You have a very special granddaughter who thinks to put others first. Bravo to them all!

Ouchie on the root canals- just thinking about it makes me hyperventilate!

Hope everyone has a great day!

goldie said...

Hi Carol- you snuck in!

bonachichi said...

Times sure have changed. It used to be that a child would be proud to be photographed. Have we become overly cynical, or just realists?

I've been gone for a while. I'm back in CA and happy to be here.

Good morning to all! Off to catch up on what I missed!

goldie said...

Hi bonacci- Welcome back!!!

night.owls.sb said...

Dianne_wrote_a_blog_in_denver,

I think it was so sweet of your girls to plan ahead, good for them. I do agree with Lynnd tho, it is a sad world when children have to to this. I don't remember ever as a child being afraid of being abducted. Other things frighten me of course, like bees, but I never feared for my safety.

I loved that they thought thru who would go first etc, etc, etc..

Lots of Hugs and Smiles for those well prepared girls..

Thanks so much for writing, sharing and sending the blog off to me, I appreciate it..

night.owls.sb said...

Hi Goldie..

Hi Bonacci..

night.owls.sb said...

Bonacci..

I sent you a e-mail (to your gmail acct) last week, did you get it???

night.owls.sb said...

Goldie...

I hope I chose the right pics to put on the main page of the blog? Will you put the others on your myspace so all can see the rest??

bonachichi said...

Carol, I replied. I am just now going through my gmail. Sorry I've been a bad owl!

Lynn D said...

Morning Goldie, Carol and Bonacci!

Goldie I may have to venture into Myspaz and risk the worms to see your Mom in the photo!

Carol busy day again! End of month reports and more family issues! I don't hear from some of these people for years, it seems the floodgates are open all the way right now! I spent about 8 hours on the phone yesterday! I have to say I am kind of tired of talking. If this keeps up I may have to buy an ear piece for my cell and home phone. Yikes!!!

whabbear said...

Bonacci: WB to our wonderful Golden State! Speaking of being a bad owl, you asked me a while ago if I was going to cover acceleration in my general relativity blogs. Unfortunately, no. I'm up to about five just to handle the simple constant differential motion case!

From A51: IBB: I do enjoy the education! :)

Dianne: Absolutely, have things ever changed! I can't imagine developing a plan with my childhood friends for how to escape a predator.

And I noticed another thing about today's world that is really different from when I was a kid: contact between children and parents at work! These days, I'm often meeting with coworkers in their offices or whatever, and our discussion is interrupted by phone calls from their children.

Growing up, I never had contact with my Dad when he was at work. Never. So I asked my friend Brent yestrday how things had changed today. He said, over and above the additional opportunities kids and parents have to communicate with eath other through cell phones, the big difference is because in most families today, both parents are working. That means that there is much more need for kids and parents to work out logistics during the day than when we grew up, and Mom was at home all the time.

Interesting....

night.owls.sb said...

Oops.. got busy and forgot to sign out of here..

Gotta continue my day here @ work..

Everyone have a great day!

Oh, and I got three new pimples this morning.. anyone want one???

:O)

bonachichi said...

Whab, I don't care what you think, you're a math weenie. I've seen you mention spin-up/down electrons and quarks. That's math (physics, but math just the same).

I want to relate something to you. When I was divorcing, I rented out a spare room to a delightful man. My ex objected, saying that it was improper to have a "strange" man in the house with young girls.

I told the ex that the "strange" man was gay and would have no interest in young girls.

I went to court over that. Apparently the ex thought a gay man was automatically a pedophile. I won, and the judge lectured my ex about harassment, discrimination and frivilous lawsuits. This man turned out to be a wonderful addition to my household and I was very sad to see him go.

bonachichi said...

As for the welcome back to CA, I may have chosen a bad time to come back. What's been happening? Everything's gone to Hell in a handbasket.

Tinkatia said...

Good Morning Everyone.

Tinkatia said...

Hope everyone is having a great day.

Tinkatia said...

Now that is over I can relax and take my time.

Good Morning Lynn - Congrats on first. Are you leading the pack?

MEK in AZ said...

CRAP,,

I JUST missed the march to 25!!!

congrats, Tinka!!!

Tinkatia said...

Good Morning Lynn, Carol, Goldie, Bonacci and my good friend Big Bear.

Dianne - I loved your blog and I already love that brave grand daughter of yours. Yes, it is such a different world. It's sad. Kids have to be so street smart today.

MEK in AZ said...

Happy Tuesday!!!

Good Morning.....

it's overcast in the desert today!!

Dianne - wrote another blog - in Denver!!!!

Bless these children - and how sad that they have to "have a plan" - just in case......

The world today - just watch Nancy Grace!!

Dianne - thank you for sharing this sweet story!!

Tinkatia said...

Today my baby grand daughter turns two. We had her party on Saturday. Lucky for me I didn't feel too badly that day. I would have been so disappointed if I couldn't have gone. I missed her first birthday party at her home. We did have a second party at my daughter's but it's not the same. I will put some pictures up. She had so much fun.

Tinkatia said...

I have to go and find the pictures of Goldie's rack. That must be worth seeing.

I am almost better today but I think I will just lay on the deck and listen to the birds singing. See you all later.

MEK in AZ said...

Lynn D - congrats on First... (and I teared up also)..

Goldie - I'm going to myspace after i finish commenting - can't wait to see more pics!!

bonacci - welcome back.

Whabby - EXACTLY - there was NO way that we would EVER, EVER think of bothering our father at work - heck, i don't think my mom ever called him there...

OH - it's such a different world!!

cpgem - I'll pass on the pimple - I have a bug bite, I'll share with you!!

Tinka - good morning - great march to 25!! Are you feeling better!!

Tina and Dianne - can I just say - I'm glad that I wasn't in Denver!!
Hope you both are feeling better soon...........

SacBarb - safe travels - love you!!

I hope everyone has an excellent day!!
:-)

MEK in AZ said...

West Coast...

don't miss Matt Lauer's interview with Sandra Bullock!!

He actually BLUSHES!!!!

too cute!!!!

MEK in AZ said...

duh - I forgot - our morning tv is on the same time - it's evening tv - SO - if you missed the interview - you can probably watch it online!!!

Tinkatia said...

HI Mek - I am feeling better than I did the last few days. A few more days and I will be perfect - if that is possible at my age.

Just_Lin said...

LynnD There you are at #1. You must be a very early riser to beat out the east coast.

Tinka I'm glad you are nearly perfect again.

Tina From Area 51: LMAO at looking like a guest on Springer. I'm sorry to laugh at your misfortune but it's just too damn funny! I hope things are better today.

Bonacci Welcome back!

Dianne Great blog! I love that your granddaughter's have a plan. I'm sure they feel more empowered having things worked out in their heads. We never, ever thought of such things when I was a kid.

Lani said...

Good morning everyone.
DIANNE - first I hope you are feeling better today.
Your blog was both sad & delightful. I have the impression that your older granddaughter is the CEO of the group. Very loving and smart children. We have been given such a beautiful planet....There shouldn't be so much ugliness.

Jodi said...

ATTN: KMART SHOPPERS!!

I just got a text from SACBARB. She has landed and is riding in a limo to Chad's house!!

Jodi said...

I will be back later to comment on DIANNE'S blog. I have a rather rumbly tummy....and I wasn't even in Denver!! Geesh!!

Zona said...

DIANNE: It's too bad that in this day and age a child can't be carefree and just have fun. Their innocence is compromised at such a young age. I love that your granddaughters and their friends came up with a plan 'just in case'. I'm just sorry they even have to think in terms of 'just in case'.

Great blog today DIANNE..I could listen to the things your grandchildren say all day long. They are just so dang insightful and cute.

Zona said...

LYNND: Congrats on FIRST!

DIANNE, TINA and JODI: I hope you feel better soon!

SACBARB: Thinking of you and saying prayers for your son. {{hugs}}

TINKA: I'm glad you are feeling better. Wish I could relax on the deck with you and listen to the birds..sounds perfect!

Zona said...

GOLDIE: Can't wait to see the pics!

CAROL: So..how was the Moving Moving last night?

BEAR: I only called my dad one time at work. I came home from school and couldn't find my mom. I looked everywhere and was in a panic. When she got frustrated she would tell us she was going to 'run away'. I thought she had!! I called dad and he had me go through the house once more, calmly and slowly. I was just telling him I still couldn't find her..when she walked in from the garage! She was doing the laundry! Well..I was right, she wasn't actually IN the house!! See..I was young when I started being a goof! ;)

Zona said...

LANI: So true...

J/LIN: The only person I ever ran away from as a kid was my dad's mom..she scared us when we were little..All of us kids in the neighborhood made sure that at least one gate was open so if she drove down the street we had an escape route..lol..

MEK: Overcast but still warm..I'm liking it though!!

Zona said...

50!!

Zona said...

Welcome back BONACCI!

MEK in AZ said...

OMG - it feels like Ground Hog day at my house!!!

Just went to let "the little one" out - and just as she was getting ready to go out - I see this HUGE lizard start scrambling his little feet on the porch to get away - I quickly closed the door - so that he could get away - the little one NEVER saw him!! Thank goodness!!!

geez - they are everywhere!!!

MEK in AZ said...

Came home from grocery store to have my driveway blocked by a firetruck - Imagine the thoughts that go thru your head - but - it was next door - AGAIN - for the upteenth time...

someone got hauled off in the ambulance.......

MEK in AZ said...

Zona - yes, overcast but still hotter than crap..

jodi - sorry that Tina and Dianne gave you the flu!!

Just Lin and Lani - howdy!!

bug guy will be coming in 30 minutes!!

Zona said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kahonugrl said...

mark that down Shirley~

JodiHo: I still have it, you will soon have it. I'm an ass~ Feel better.

Dianne, TinaHO, and whomever else is sharing the lil parasite feel better but keep it to yourselves would ya?

Have a good day all~

And kudos to those girls for being aware and also for thinking of others.

MEK in AZ said...

K'Girl - great march..

well, my bug guy was REALLY late - in fact, just got here...

and - i can't believe I just watched him do this - we had a really BIG lizard stuck to a bug trap in the garage - he was still alive... Mr. Bug Guy peeled him off the sticky shit and let him go!!

bless his little heart!!!

Okay - I won't tell you the bugs on the little sticky things - but - living in the desert - you know they are out there - it's just the SEEING them!!!

YIKES!!!

bonachichi said...

Thank you everyone, for the welcome back!

I am having a hard time adjusting. I don't remember it being this hard before. I slept almost all day yesterday and just can't seem to get with it. Maybe I caught a bug in the flying tube.

East Bay J said...

Hi hooters,

Had a busy day at work and this is the first chance I've had to read the blog!

Congrats to Lynn D once again!

Di, wow I am just blown away by your blog today. How things have changed! And how special Kayla is to make a plan, and has concern for her friends before herself.

It is heartwarming, yet sad that kids now days even have to think that way.

I remember only 1 time as a kid being afraid, and that is during the time of the "Zodiac Killer".
Thank you for sharing that today!

MR. EBJ took Nancy the kitty to the vet clinic this afternoon, she will spend the night with her "surrogate mom" as he is going fishing early tomorrow morning.

He will pick her up on his way home.

The house seems so empty without her and I miss her.

Bonacci, welcome back!

SacBarb, continued good thoughts for your son!

Tina, daughter T, Dianne and Jodi, hope you are feeling better today!

BBL

Tina~in_ut said...

Bonacci~ I think you got the damn bug over Denver!!!! ijs~

Di~ Having met ur sweet granddaughters, I can see them cooking up their plan. It sure is sad that they felt they had to. Wonderful blog......I could almost see you writing it~ :)~

LynnD~ congrats on first....and glad you finally watched it.....i just died!!!

Goldie~ love ur rack~

Thanks to everyone.....little T is feeling much much better....she's eating salami.....me.....i've showered.....but going to work for sure tomorrow~

Bebbilane said...

Good evening everyone!

Dianne: Great blog. I think it is quite a different world. My daughter was at her boyfriend's house the other day. She called me at work and said a man was knocking on the door. She was so afraid! She knew her boyfriend didn't have anyone that was supposed to come over, so I went right over there. It turned out that the cable company who was supposed to come over on Tuesday, showed up on Monday. But, my daughter hid until she found out from her boyfriend (after he got a call from the cable company and found out about the mistake they made). Very scary world when you can't even open your doors anymore. I am so glad I was nearby too.

I am going to read the comments.

Carol: Hope your "moving" is going well! Thanks for replying to my message. :)

Sorry I haven't been around, I have been walking between 20,000 - 30,000 steps a day and doing a big healthmiles challenge. I got my most steps ever today! I have 31,595 steps!!! My highest before today was 30,386.

I hope everyone is having a great start to summer.

Going to read comments now.

Bebbilane said...

LynnD: LOL at the "rope and pulley system" pretty funny!

Whab: It is nice to have that extra communication now. I really appreciate it and my kids are older.

Bonacci: I am so glad you won. Yay, for the judge being smart. If that would happen in this neck of the woods, the outcome might have been different.

Tink: I hope you are doing well. :) I am so glad to hear that you were well for the party. I bet it was fun! :)

Anyone watching the Bachelorette? I just think Jake is so awesome! Who do you guys like?

bonachichi said...

Bebbi; I won? Won what? I'm reading comments from the bottom up, so maybe I'll find out.

Unless it's 2 tons of horse crap, I'm thrilled. Heck, I could probably find something fun to do with the crap, too.

Bebbilane said...

Bonacci: Won the case against your stupid ex, about your roommate.

Bebbilane said...

80 dude

Bebbilane said...

Well, being in Kentucky, we do have two tons of horse crap around here.

bonachichi said...

Well, I didn't see any contest announcements, so I can think of a couple things I may have won:

A "bug" over Denver, but I never get sick; only allergies, tiredness or food that doesn't agree with me. I'm sticking with that story.

A safe flight home. I admit I was nervous about getting on a plane, but it seemed a better option than the rowboat I considered.

Other than that, I haven't really been a part of civilization. My internal clock is seriously messed up, so tomorrow will be the first day I venture out for a possible client interview.

Bebbilane said...

bonacci: I was commenting on your remark that you made at 11:11 this a.m.

bonachichi said...

Bebbi; Oh, THAT! I won lots of cases against that jerk. Domestic violence, perjury, child endangerment, restraining orders, possession of a firearm whilst under a restraining order, tax fraud, insurance fraud, the list goes on.

That was a lifetime ago, though. I just thought Whab would appreciate that the CA courts deemed a gay man was NOT a threat to children.

Bebbilane said...

Bonacci: Sounds like it was quite a trying time. Glad it was a long time ago and maybe the next time you win, it will be a million bucks. :)

Bebbilane said...

You are very lucky to have made it through that time without serious injury. I volunteer for the Women's Center and know that the times during separations are the most dangerous for a person who is at the receiving end of an abusive relationship. :( It's all too common that the restraining orders don't work and something horrific happens.

Bebbilane said...

Well, I have to get up at 6 a.m. tomorrow to go to the gym so I need to get to sleep. It was nice talking with you for a bit. Glad I came around when someone was here. Have a wonderful evening everyone and it sounds like the necklace is well travelled this summer. Reminiscent of the Traveling pants, it is the Summer of the Traveling Necklace. So fun! :)

Carol, keep moving

Iteach, I hope you are walking a lot and having fun with those awesome kiddos. :)

Bebbilane said...

Hey, Carol, I just wanted you to know that Facebook is going to have screen names really soon so you should get on there. I like it so much better than myspace and you don't have as many worries about viruses and stuff.

Lani said...

BEBBI - I feel like a lazy slug when I read about all of your steps. Congratulations on all of your endurance.

MEK - Slin's daughter's dog looks so much like TUG, I felt like I was petting TUG at the same time.

Bebbilane said...

Okay, really, nighters!!

Bebbilane said...

Thanks Lani! :) Good to see you again too. I am really leaving now. I have a lunch date tomorrow so I want to get up at 6 and go work out. I usually only do it on Tues & Thurs, but well, tomorrow I can't walk at lunch so I am going tomorrow too. Also, got yoga tomorrow night, I am loving that too. Take care...sorry to go on and on. Don't feel like a slug, it is a personal journey for each of us. I have my ups and downs, but I am staying in the fight.

Tinkatia said...

Good Night Everyone.

Tinkatia said...

Hope You had a good day.

Tinkatia said...

I am off to bed.

Tinkatia said...

95

Tinkatia said...

96

Tinkatia said...

97

Tinkatia said...

98

Tinkatia said...

99

Tinkatia said...

100

bonachichi said...

I already won. A wonderful man I love. He's fun (pranks are the norm for my house) and he's devoted. What more could I ask for?

whabbear said...

MEK: I'm not sure my parents talked much either when Dad was at work... I'm going to ask them on my Saturday morning phone call this weekend!

Zona: Yikes! Did your Dad beat you with a belt when he got home? LOL!

Tink: LOL@"Big Bear"!

Bonnaci: You said:

"the judge lectured my ex about harassment, discrimination and frivilous lawsuits"

I absolutely love it!

Bebbi: Congrats on all those steps!

bonachichi said...

Well Whab, I know a lot of gay/lesbian couples that would and do make better parents than some straight couples I know.

Just_Lin said...

I just had the new show "Mental" on on Fox. They were showing an episode with David Carradine in a coma. They kept schlepping his lifeless body around. It was SO WRONG on so many levels. They SHOULD NOT have aired that episode.

Jodi said...

DIANNE - Great blog!! Kudos to Kayla for being such a loving friend!! Too bad that kids have to have a back up plan.

Jodi said...

JUST LIN - Creepy. Too bad they didn't pull the show considering the circumstances.

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday!!

Jodi said...

Got a fresh pot of cawfee, Glazer Donuts, Diet Pepsi, and chocolate milk for all the early morning HOoters!!!

Jodi said...

TURTLE - It's ok....still love your sweet ass!!! :P

Just_Lin said...

Thanks, Jodi! I'd love a chocolate milk, especially since I'm not supposed to have it in real life.

Jodi said...

TINKA - Happy 2nd B'day to your sweet grand daughter!! Can't believer she's two. It has been a pleasure watching her grow up....thank you so much for sharing your family with us!!

Jodi said...

SLIN - Your welcome!!!

Zona said...

JODI: YAY! Thank you for leaving the chocolate milk and Glazer Donuts. I'll just be sitting over here in the corner enjoying a midnight snack!

I'll save the DP for breakfast. ;)

Zona said...

J/LIN: Thanks for sharing the chocolate milk with me! :)

BEAR: No belts..my dad was one of the easiest going guys ever. He just sighed..and told me to check the garage next time. Mom was just glad I hadn't called the police. ;)

Jodi said...

ZONA - Are you still on the floor?!!? Thanks for the laughs....:O) SWAK!!!

Zona said...

TINKA: Great march to 100!! I hope you are sleeping well and are dreaming of your beautiful granddaughter! :)

BEBBI: Wow that's a lot of steps! Congrats!

MEK: Oh geez..I hope there weren't any scorpions..I HATE them. Good thing I've never seen one. ;)

Zona said...

JODI: Not on the floor anymore..Nikki helped push me back into the chair. She's resting now...exhausted!! ;)

Thank YOU...omg..I laughed so hard I think I strained something! :D

Zona said...

G'night to everyone that is going to sleep...and G'morning to those that will soon be getting up!

One more Glazer...and then I'm really gonna have to MOVE!! :D

Maureen said...

DIANNE...first, hope you are feeling better. TINA could have just given you flowers...didn't have to give you a bug!
Second, what loving, caring and smart granddaughters you have. It is sad that a part of their childhood innocence was taken away by the world we live in these days.
Thanks for the blog. You should be so proud of Kayla. Her kindness is definitely inherited from her grandma! {{HUGS}}