I have opened a new blog, peggygurney.com. I have no idea why, lol. When I started it a couple of days ago, it was with the intention of using that one for my opinions, views, thoughts, and personal stuff, while using this one for what I originally intended, stuff about my son, and family.

Now, I have no clear cut direction, so we shall just go along and see what happens.

I hope you join me over there as well. Thanks!

My new site, Mahoning Valley Talk, is coming right along!  We have a very nice design, just moved to a new server at Wired Tree, are gaining quite a few Twitter followers, and have a nice Facebook page.  I’m very proud of how we’re progressing.

Being a local/regional forum, I’m realizing that it’s going to take quite a bit of work to get locals to join and post on the forum. But I’m not giving up!  I will be heading to Staples later today to have flyers made up (at a very nice price – $10 for 100 flyers!), and later on, business cards will be printed.  I am excited at the slow-but-sure progress.

If you live anywhere in the Mahoning Valley area (a region that spans NE Ohio and NW Pennsylvania, with Youngstown Ohio right in the center), please feel free to drop by. Oh don’t just drop by, JOIN US, get in on the discussions, get to know us – you’ll be glad you did. 

My goodness it has been a little while since I’ve updated this blog. Sorry!

The last I posted here, I had just lost my little lady, IttyBit.  I was so sad and heartbroken. But since then, I’ve adopted another lovely lady from the Trumbull County Animal Rescue League. She’s a 4 yr old german shepherd/lab mix, named LadyBug. She is so sweet, affectionate, smart, and a quick learner!  I know that IttyBit would approve.

She’s also a real match for our Jack Russell Terrier, T-Bo. Although the first couple of days were touch ‘n’ go as far as them getting along, they’ve settled in and he’s got a new buddy to play with.  She’s much more active than IttyBit was, and T-Bo is tired when they come in from the backyard.  I am so proud of how well they’re doing.

I don’t have any pics of her yet, because every time I pick up the camera, she has to come sniff it. Nosey woman.    I’ll get some taken and posted up soon.

I’m taking my dog, IttyBit, to the vet today, and I’m sure he’s going to recommend putting her to sleep. She’s been such a good little girl, loving, fun, affectionate, stubborn… and my friend.

When I’ve needed to talk, she listens, without talking back.
When I’ve needed to laugh, or cry, or hugs someone (or something), she’s been there.
She sleeps with me every night.
She follows me around everywhere.
She’s at the door both when I leave and when I come home.
She loves to play with me (until she got too sick to play).
She never fails to say Thank You when I give her a treat (y’know, the lick of gratitude).

She’s been with me for 7 years, she’s almost 12 now. She has mammary tumors, can’t hold herself long enough for me to get her outside, so has frequent “accidents” in the house, can’t go up/down the stairs anymore because her back legs give out from under her. And now she hasn’t eaten in 4 days.

I think it’s time.  

She has been a faithful, loving little friend.   I sure will miss my little girl.   

Why does it not surprise me that our president, who recently was so favorable for more money towards autism research, and awareness, has said NO to joining in the Light It Up Blue campaign for autism awareness?  Thousands upon thousands of letters have poured into the WhiteHouse, to Mr Obama, requesting that the White House join all of the other country capitols in lighting up blue.

This is one such letter – This is my Autism.

Excerpts from more letters  – http://lightthewhitehouseblue.wordpress.com/laura/

and our wonderful president has said NO.

Obama Rejects the Light It Up Blue Campaign

:lipzip:

Every year we commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd. We also kick off the Light It Up Blue campaign for autism awareness, by asking you to do just that – Light It Up Blue. We ask that you participate in LIUB on April 1 and 2, by changing your outside lightbulbs to blue bulbs, which you can purchase at Home Depot.  Additionally many people wear blue shirts, and puzzle piece lapel pins, which symbolize the puzzle that is the autistic mind.

You can read all about WAAD here, Light It Up Blue here, and Autism Awareness Month here.

But I am asking you, as a personal favor to me, the mother of an autistic son, to please Light It Up Blue on April 1 and 2 next week.

Additionally, my friend Chris designed these avatars that can be used on your blogs, your discussion forums, Facebook, twitter, etc.  Would you please show your support by using one of them, or the one that I’m using on FB, also posted below.

Many thanks, and much appreciation to you, my friends, for your support.

Peggy

It seems Youngstown, Ohio experienced an earthquake this morning just before 7 am.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources -

Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials have confirmed a 2.6-magnitude earthquake and the first tremor that’s ever been recorded in the immediate Youngstown area.

Read the story –>> 2.6-Magnitude Earthquake Confirmed in Youngstown

heh, I thought it was thunder that woke me up.  :lipzip:

I have opened the doors for Mahoning Valley Talk. A bit earlier than I’d planned to, but what the heck!

I do hope y’all come visit. Even if you don’t live in our area, or even in Ohio, come see us anyway. I won’t kick you out. 

Click on the link —> Mahoning Valley Talk

My son went away for a 3 day camping trip to Camp Fitch which is up by Lake Erie, about an hour or so north of us. Camp Fitch is sponsored by the YMCA, and this time every year, Summit Academy students go on this trip.

This is my son’s first time away from home – well, except for the occasional overnight at his best friends’ house.  But that’s in town, not an hour away!  I can’t begin to tell you how much I miss him. He’s coming home tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/9/11) and I’ll be at the school to get him with bells on!

I’m really hoping that he enjoyed himself. He’s not an outdoorsy type of kid, preferring an afternoon at his computer or DS or iPod or Wii, to being outside. So I’m guessing three days without his gadgets has been a bit rough on him (they weren’t permitted, YAY!).  I’m looking forward to hearing what all they did. I’ll post about it here. 

Remember that new forum I posted about before?  Yep I’m going ahead with it.    :wink:

Mahoning Valley Talk will be an online community forum for people who live in the Mahoning Valley and surrounding areas in Ohio. You’ll be able to come in and talk about anything and everything – state and local issues, family, kids, dating, marriage, religion (gulp), recipes, entertainment, etc etc etc.

I will be installing the discussion forum in the next few days and designing a theme, setting up categories, etc. If you want to watch the progress, you can visit mahoningvalleytalk.com anytime. That’s the homepage for now, and when the forum is up, I’ll put a link on the page.

MVTalk will be opening on May 1st. So mark your calendars, and join us for some fun.   :yay: