Foster Care, What Many Don't Know, A Gun

              At one point I knew I worked in foster care too long, too long because I couldn't say anything without either getting fired and being made to look like a trouble maker. But it was long before that, I made sure to tell most of the kids who would remember, to get a new social security number, get copies of all your medical records so when you're older, you can challenge discrepancies. I doubt many remembered or cared..
      I let them know they could go to college for free and could also challenge a move if for the right reasons. I had one child challenge and actually call a lawyer to stay with me. A foster child can remain in care until age twenty-two. Here's the catch;they wanted their freedom with no curfews, stay out with friends without any accountability, were encouraged to have saving accounts but in the later years because of age, I would have to be on the account too. At one point I bought savings bonds for a young girl.
       I tried to let them know about vocational college, I did let them know and one boy went to HACC, but he was more interested in getting a laptop for free, even sat in my field one day, the screen cracked from that or laying in the trunk of a friends car and yet he talked the school into giving him another one for free. Many kids learned so young about the rights they had that they thought using them fast and furious helped them, it just upset some people.
       One agency hired so many people and friends of people just to keep people employed. They were all friends and so it wasn't about the kids, it was about keeping money in the pockets of friends. I told one man on the day he was leaving about a woman who spanked her very young foster son, had electricity turned off and other things. His answer was, I didn't hear that.
        There was a boy in my home who brought a gun and now this sounds nuts, but he wasn't a bad kid. He saw his grandfather beat his mom as a little boy and as he grew he wanted to protect women. I worked with his grandfather in Mental health who had schizophrenia.
         The boy had the onset which erupted in my home . Little y little he covered his window, nailed a cross upside down to his wall, ripped up a Bible and as I watched him and asked if he needed anything, want to grab a sandwich, go out it was no, no and no. A few days before we went to see his mom which was where he grabbed the gun and put it in his small backpack. We stopped at a convenience store to get coffee and a soda for him. He saw a man hitting a woman and yelling at her, started to open the car door and I gently grabbed his arm. No don't we can call the police. No police, he just wanted to leave, but the man noticed the boy at 17 getting out of the car. The man then took the woman by the arm and in a muffled voice said something pushing her to the store.
         After we got home he started to go deep inside himself and I called on-call to let them know. I was asked who's his MHP, Mental Health Professional. The response was she's in a meeting with the group. Half hour later I call again. BY the fourth call I get a call back saying, what have you done to alleviate the situation. I explain, monitoring, talking quietly etc etc etc.  IT was four hours later before his MHP arrived. She sat and said where is he. Oh GOD! How many times to I need to repeat this?
In his room, darkened etc. She said, can you go and get him and I'll be in back of you? She did walk in back of me until she heard him say, I'm not talking to her. I asked him, Will you just listen?
He said okay. We went to the kitchen table and he came out a few minutes later.
        He had his mini back pack, put it on the seat, no sound as if he had hardware in it. I spoke a little and so did the MHP. He was telling me how he was feeling and I said I'm sorry you feel like you have to protect yourself that way. THEN he took out the gun and put it down very hard on the table.
       He said in a calm manner, I don't have to protect myself, I have to protect you women with this.
The MHP was now shaking and for five seconds I thought, who will tell my children? Then I said to him, ----Thank you for being so honest and trying to protect us, but you know now I have to take this, reaching across the table for the gun. He didn't move an inch to stop me, but shook his head yes. I went on with, I have a friend who's a cop, is kind, not a bully etc. and I have to call him. Again he shook his head yes. Calling 911, I was asked if he had any other weapons and he jumped up with ease and said, oh yeah, I have your saw blade. It was to a jig saw. I followed him and he gave it to me. The MHP said, do you mind if I go out and smoke? No , go.
      IT wasn't long before two police cars pulled up and came knocking. I walked the boy out and introduced him to my friend. He allowed a search and was very polite. My heart beat more for him because he was truly ill. It's genetic, His mother suffered from sever depression. Many times Mental illnesses go from one gender in the family to another. The MHP stood with tears in her eyes and we chatted a little then she left.
      She went out on disability a few weeks later and the boy went to jail. I went to court as a witness, hugged his mom and shook his hand. No I wasn't angry. He was a very ill kid and his illness was just starting. It's a lifetime of heartache.
    More in a few days

Selling Your Home, Wills & Family

       Just when you think you're all set, life throws you a curve ball. If you're married things are different. Owning a home and one spouse dies, usually you don't have anything to worry about-usually. Make out a will. I did-unknowingly. I didn't know what was to come that would make me want to change my will and sell my home. There was a time when one of my kids said, mom, we can work anything out" talking about who would get what. Well those were empty words as I came to find out and from the person who made that statement. It's heartbreaking and I only decided to sell my home to insure that no one can contest anything in the end.
     Without getting into details, I know that there isn't anyway I'd want my kids to come together at my funeral with the animosity one feels without just cause except what's in their thoughts. So the best way to deal with  my old will is to make a will that expresses things in a no nonsense way. Now I'll get to enjoy all of the benefits of selling my home instead of doing what I wanted which was, to leave it to be divided between my kids. It isn't a lot but enough for either one to possible start  a business, buy a new car, pay bills etc.
       As every day passes I'm getting used to the idea of letting go and starting another piece of life, apartment living. It's a very nice apartment complex, with a pool, gym and community gatherings.I'm very anxious for the pool and gym and maybe even getting to know neighbors, still not sure about that. The best part is I'l be closer to one of my children and close enough to drive to see my other child and grandchildren-if invited.
       Taking chances is fine as long as you have a back-up plan with back-up money and this home has given me that. I am looking ahead.

The Jelly Bean Forest Children's Book

This great little book, story, has a coloring book inside of The Jelly Bean Forest as well as The Jelly Bean Jerk Dance song. Made just short enough for little ones to remember. The story is surprising, happy, a tiny bit sad but surprising, and so colorful. Also the art work was done by a fifteen year old boy in Norway, my very young cousin Tom Kastet.  I promise you, children will love this. It can be purchased from Etsy/Doozybags is the name to see. 

doozybags.etsy.com

Kids Brain Football injuries

       Yeah, I know these are just kids. They can't get hurt like the big guys. You should hear what I am listening to right now. Grown up professional players do not want their own kids playing football. One, I think it was Brett Farve has said, I don't remember my daughter ever playing soccer. Others don't remember so much and wonder how their brain has been damaged. There is a billion dollar settlement under way for brain injuries.
      It is being said now, it will take moms to do something about stopping kids from playing football. Men want and love the roughness and toughness of the game and think, hey they're boys, they need to play football. When they have brain damage will that same man be able to pay the bills, will he be able to sit and watch, take care of a son, now brain damaged because of football? It only takes one hit ! They only have one life.

Think about it. Save your sons, now.

More than Gun Control, McVeigh, Jim Jones, Terrorists, Illegals

        Every time we have a murder by gun, people want gun control. Where were they before they were personally touched by this? I know, this sounds cold, but the fact is, this is more than lack of gun control. Our American citizens die by illegal guns, joining cults, Illegal drugs, legal drugs, alcohol, terrorists and now of course and as usual Politicians jump on this and as I saw Hillary Clinton reading from a speech prepared, looking at it sideways, thinking we are stupid and can't tell she is reading off a paper. That's not from the heart !
    Look at our penal system, our whole way of life has to change. We have things that have been happening over and over for years only now it's worse because the population has grown. Our mental health system is only okay. Everyone appears to do what they can. Our education system is failing, yet maybe they too are doing as well as they can with what they have.
    How many of our own citizens have bombed our own citizens and look at the Jim Jones Massacre and that guy, forgot his name who also had a cult school, blew them all up, then the uni bomber and we have crazies out there molesting our kids, people in trust positions. We are living in a sick and crime filled nation and crooked politicians do not care. They have had enough time to show they do, and they haven't shown anything except how to fill their pockets, get more entitlements for themselves and spouses and screw the public.
     Kids want to go to college to better themselves but get out owing many, many thousands of dollars in student loans and in debt with credit cards because the new students books are filled with applications for  , a new credit card. Then they get/receive too much in loans and grants. Kids are kids and all that extra money looks good. IT can be controlled but no, banks and colleges work to get students into debt.
     The next big topic will be whatever tragedy happens and hits the news. When a bunch of boys rape a college girl, that will be the next biggest thing, a group of kids commit suicide by layng on a train track, that's new until, kids are molested at a day care, and then again, drugs will be the next politicians topic of the day.
     So what do we do and how do we fix things? Be really careful in who you vote for and why. As parents, keep your kids close to you as much as possible, and don't chastise them when they open up about awful things they've done, because you've done it too probably, but let it become a way to help. Things always start at home. Know as much as you can who the friends are, what they're like. Learn about Mental Illness, and learn some more. Let friends come over, have snacks, supper, let them gather in the living room, and you just pop in and out. Always let them know you only love, love, love them and will help, help and help some more. Go to them once in a while, ask for their thoughts, make them important too. join a gym together, take art, swim, knit, men and ladies, ask for math help and love them again.
 Well that's good enough for now. Get a good nights sleep.

TRUMP vs. Cosby ? U R WRONG!

       What the hell is wrong with this country ? Donald Trump makes a statement that even I believe he could have, should have worded differently, HOWEVER, look at the Liberal, Democrats reaction. This was not what is called intelligent responses, but knee jerk reactions. So he is not allowed to be honest without severe penalties? What kind of a president are you morons looking for? Do you want someone in office, who continually lies, steals, is/was involved, had knowledge of, a murder, land deals gone wrong, a husband who had oral sex, disgracing the office of the white house and will continue to do the same? IS that really what you want?
    OR maybe you'd rather have  BILL Cosby, amazing both him and Clinton are BILLS ! Okay now serious. Look at the poor women who were called liars, wanted fifteen minutes of fame, said they had their own agenda and people just didn't want to believe this rapist because he used to be a celebrity. YET He is hired back into clubs, people stand and cheer, and HE"S PAID!  Wrong America, WRONG !
    Is isn't that I am for or against TRUMP. I love Ben Carson, Judge Pirro and there are a few others out there who would make GREAT Presidents. What is it you people, yes YOU PEOPLE want? China is buying real estate all over the United States of AMERICA. Cuba is now open. Just wait!
    Remember that phrase, you made your bed, now lie in it?
I am not a hard nose type person, have worked in mental health, worked with kids, people of all ages, income and cultures. It's time for someone to say, I will make a change and do it for the GOOD of the United States. For GOD Sake, wake up AMERICA!
   Recently in Brooklyn NY a mosque on 5th ave and 69th had their people praying outside on the sidewalk, blocking the whole side which happened last year on Broadway-no permits, yet people were afraid, even the police to tell them: YOU cannot block the sidewalk, you have to have a permit ! Society is so afraid that if right now a terrorist was running for office you would vote for him or her. You're asleep AMERICA! 
    Picture this: America is a garden, a beautiful garden with clear rows, clear sections, growth is green, tall, high, prosperous and someone comes along and sprays a pesticide on it, killing all that was good.
    This is what's happening in America-Have you lost your passion America? If you have you might as well wave a white flag...and move to China.

Summer Plans ? Kids, Money, Time and Bills

               How many families realistically expect to go away for a summer vacation? Understanding what your life is about makes you the only person who knows if you can really afford a summer vacation. In a way, It's like Christmas.  You spend so much money on going away and come home to bills and then say, what did I do. Sure you gave your kids a good time, but now you're stuck with credit card bills.
       There are many ways you can show your kids a good time in an inexpensive way at home. But don't break your  financial plan, mess up to pay it all back and next thing you know Christmas is here. Also let your children know summer vacation really means that their job which is school is not in session and that alone is summer vacation time, no getting up at a certain time, no eating at a certain time, no schedules if mom and dad don't want to, unless of course you work and have to bring kids to a sitter.

Green Polka Dots

 You really should see this set, please? Okay not should, but if you have time look it up and here are a couple of pictures.doozybags.etsy.com  This is a blanket, lined drawstring bag with inside pocket and a pillow, all triple stitched. I mail out within 3 days. Thank you.

Parents? How many Chances ?

    I'm sure many have read the recent article about a so called man who left his baby in the hot car while he worked a seven hour shift and the police found  a  search on his computer about how long does it take for an animal to die in a hot car. The police also say it isn't proven yet if he was the one to complete the search.
   Sometimes I do hate to be fair. I know if you are under so much stress you do almost forget and even forget a sleeping baby in the back seat, but you still have to take the punishment and sure many will say but he's already punished enough.

   Well I for one am sick of seeing so many neglectful and even abusive parents get chance after chance to bring a child home , only  to do it again. Is this all because of the cost? If a child goes back home, that means no more foster care costs. If a child is adopted the state still pays a stipend until the child is either eighteen or twenty-two and in college, and the same with kin-ship foster care and guardianship, so do they just want to save the state money at the cost of the life of a child? End of Story. Or is it ?

School's Out Education in 4 Summer

       Years ago I lived in Oregon and there was year round school in my area. I loved it it as I think most stay at home parents did. But if you're a working parent outside of the home, it just doesn't seem to jell, but it can. Year round school helps kids keep their brains trained to education, as ongoing and steady. That two week break in between is helpful and enjoyable. If that isn't better than having school from September to June, nothing else is.
      If nine months as it seems to be of school is so great then why is it parents are so relieved to have kids back in school after just about five or six weeks at home? Because it's too much togetherness for many.
       Think about it this way: day care centers, jobs, traffic and more can be lessened but making the same money and less congestion on highways. Why? Because year round school will be different in every district or every county. It can be worked out. After all, look at those who run businesses, schools, hospitals, and more. If they're smart enough to do that why can't a better system of education be figured out. Think about vacations too. All of the retirees leave to go places in September and October because kids are in school so let's screw with them :)
      Our Children need to be educated year round and it's up to us as parents to do just that. Kids will complain... and we'll hear them moan and groan oh mom or dad, it's summer, why now ? Tough. Keep their brain trained to learn while it's young and curious. Do your job too. Listen, really, really listen to what they ask and say. Get  a few books and lay them on the coffee table. They'll look, they'll be curious. Even put one that you really want them to read in the bathroom-if you have two bathrooms . Lay a book on the back seat of the car. They'll pick it up, but make sure they don't bring a toy along or any other distraction. A book is better than being bored on a car trip.
       Teachers are there for our kids in so many ways that we forget about and yes they get paid to teach, but not to play psychologist, nursemaid, referee, and friend. But they do it anyway, so let's appreciate that, not take education for granted as kids do when they're young, but help out. Education is a right, but it' also a privilege, so pitch in. You'll be happy with the results.

Ron and a Spalding Ball

    

  For some time now, this gentleman has been making home improvements to state it as a matter of fact. But more than that, he offers suggestion, always with a gentle few words such as, "now I'm not saying you should, just think about it". He's usually right on target. Anything from rototilling  a garden to fixing doors, cutting down brush, picking up and moving concrete blocks and hauling it away, measuring and replacing bathroom tiles, checking roof vents, put up a side awning, storm doors, well I can't think of more off the top of my head-oh yes, he has even driven over to do my driveway, snow removal.
      Ron has also at times given a little bit of manly advice to a kid here or there in my home. Now if he could just cook!
       While I feel guilty knowing he's working so hard, I really want to lay down on the sofa, put on the TV and rest. I am trying to improve things in the home, room by room and now my biggest issues is the kitchen, but day to day I get a little more done.
       Now, the spalding ball and Ron. Today he is outside clearing away years of junk piled up and comes across a "spaldeen", as we as kids always called it but officially a spalding ball, small, pink and happy. Lost in the debris of leaves, tires, iron posts and wood, it finds Ron. Yes, I know Ron found it. Yes, as many times as kids have been playing there, in all the last fifteen years, no one found it. You see that little ball was only meant to be found by a guy from Brooklyn. I am also from Brooklyn, made sense. I washed it right away. But years of dirt grabbed onto the pink surface. Like us, we wear away, yet underneath, we're just like that spalding ball, anxious to pop up again.
     Stepping inside Ron, bounces the ball and tells me look what I found; remember stick ball? Boy did I!  I could hit two sewers. This was the happiest part of my day. There's noting at all like a childhood memory from where a person grew up to bring a sparkle of happiness along with a step of youth, pictures of the block, friends and nostalgia. The windmills of our minds as the song goes. Thank you Ron, for all of your  hard work and the memory, refreshed.

Do Not Buy GoodYear Products=Ledbetter Law

        Men, if you love your the women in your lives do not buy from Goodyear. Women Goodyear does not respect females. Females make .77 to the 1.00 compared to men. Women were told who worked at Goodyear not to discuss pay or they would be fired.
       Lilly Ledbetter found out she was earning, after nineteen years at Goodyear only forty percent of what the men made who did the same job. That night, in the middle of the night she realized how that affected her retired, pension and all that she worked for, for many years. She sued, but not in time and won nothing from our supreme court which is mainly men.
        What Lilly Ledbetter did win on behalf of all generations of women to come was an equal pay law in her name, thanks in a big part to Ruth Ginsburg, a lady on the Supreme Court. I Bet all of those men had their tiny penis's in a knot, well almost, not big enough to tie.
   Do not buy from Goodyear. They fought to pay this lady her rightfully owed back pay. Let's send them a message that since they decided not to pay this lady what she fairly earned as well as any man, to hit them back. Do Not buy from Goodyear. Lets show them how people stick together against a huge money making corporation who screws women, like their own wives, daughters, grandchildren.

Peak to Peak Branding Children-Bullies!

      This has to be offensive to everyone ! Can you imagine stamping the hands of Jewish children ? You think there isn't a comparison, then wake up. It's just another way to identify a child because they come from a family who cannot afford the prices of school lunches.
       These are children but I wouldn't care if they were adults. Peak to Peak school is in Colarado and is a charter school which is allowed to make their own policies, but with this one, they have overstepped their mighty boundaries by BRANDING CHILDREN. Cafeteria workers are told to stamp the hands of kids who can't pay for lunches. Now isn't that adult like ? Isn't that really being a BULLY?
      What if one of the adults who made this decision was divorced, a cheater, filed bankruptcy, was married four times, an alcoholic, on and on. Why not stamp them and let all of their peers know!!! ??? So they fired the principal, Noelle Roni, who tried to change this humiliating and demeaning practice, just a different way of bullying children.
  

A Neighbors' Table

       As I sat sharing brunch with some people I never met,(but may have seen before) I listened as one man spoke of his wife. She passed away, I believe he said in 2004/5, and he wasn't speaking in a way of "pity me" but more about a factual event in his life. We all had stories to share, some funny, some about food, people, things we celebrate and where we come from.
     One lady had the softest southern accent, I felt like I just wanted to get in my Cooo Gah and take off to Tennessee. Actually I no longer have my Cougar, but I bought it from the same people, the mother-in-law who owned it and I was the lucky one to get it. Sure loved that car and nothing but good memories to come with it.
     Getting back to this gentleman speak about losing his wife immediately brought me to my niece Laura. With My daughter sitting close by I wondered if she too was thinking the same thing. This man also mentioned his late wife a bit later on in the living room. But at the table, concerned with another chat he stated that his family was the church, the people, the pastor and his wife. He was so matter of fact, so sincere, I knew he meant that from the bottom of his heart. That made me think...what did I miss when I did go? Did I give it a fair chance or was I just done with Church. I honestly don't know. But I do know music plays a big part for church with me. Sure I'll never find that church I grew up in, yet I won't stop trying. That isn't to take away from the church I'm talking about. They have a mean band and some awesome voices, but I may still be searching.
       I know too that I will be back from time to time at my special neighbors church, yet I have issues and get distracted easily or maybe I use that as an excuse. The music. At my niece's funeral two women sang songs, Bridge over Troubled Waters and You Raise ME Up. I knew then if all the music was even close to that at their church I will take a trip down there. I've know the pastor who officiated and he very much reminds me of the neighbor pastor. He is who he shows himself to be, honest and with Character, friendly, giving, not showy and above all else he loves God and his family.
     Both of these men will help without asking, will do without expecting and won't preach at you or even to you, but will gently serve as an example and a reminder of who we all should strive to be more like.
    This was a brunch as last year that I very much enjoyed and as we walked out the door, a little guy said we'll have this at our house next year-hey! Ya never know :) HE works in mysterious ways. ...and Miracles do happen :)

He was only 32 !

    I know, what about old people, so take from this what you can and use it.
This morning I notice a picture of a young man. He was 32, jumped off his home in Brooklyn NY. But he was just thirty- two !  The possibility of anyone doing anything for him is slim at the time, but who knows. His family did say he was having a hard time again lately.
   If someone wants to help a person with depression do this:

• Give them your phone number
• buy them a headset
• talk to them about doctors & meds ( have they missed doses? )
• see if they have family, family that is still family
• ask about hobbies and give
• see what you can do or others, like buy a months of bus passes
• check out a local Mental Health Association
• find out if they go to church
• ask about education, books, vacations, journals, music
• see if they like to garden and get a few garden boxes/containers
•  ask if they are allowed to have a pet if they rent
• be a friend

We lose too many young people because of mental health problems, loneliness, drug and alcohol abuses and I know we all do our best . As adults many will do as they're going to do anyway, so do what you can do.Maybe one day you will be that one person to change a life.

That Globe

That Globe

There was a man who owned a globe

Round and blue and pretty

It sat so visible on his desk

As he handled it like Walter Mitty

 

Memories of around the world

And dreams that come and go

Of traveling all about the globe

Seeing places a globe would show

 

I heard the music and language imagined

As he nimbly handled the blue

Prints of states and countries there

Dancing and costumes too

 

 A Vast amount of water

Filled spaces on the globe

Around the world oceans deep

Lands of weathers’ warm and cold

 

So now I can only sit

And think about That Globe

The one we know should be mine

After all-I’m getting old .

 

 

 

A Child's Truck...a poem a day

A Child's Truck

 

Have you seen my truck today?

or did my truck drive away?

I looked under my bed this morning

and on the porch as light was dawning.

 

I played with it all of yesterday

waiting for it to drive away

it wouldn't go where I thought

was it because it was bought?

 

Like people my truck is sometimes pretty

and some people live in New York City

I saw trucks drive in the street

where people cross and trucks will sweep.

 

I saw trucks in the country too

I wanted to travel with drivers who

saw the world with their big truck

 but my dad said I have to grow up.

 

Have you seen my truck today

I now keep it under my bed

and when I go to sleep at night

I keep driving in my head.

 

I think I'll take my truck and I will pack it full

Inside I'll put a pillow and a blanket made of wool

I'll add some snacks,  and a map of course

 and I'll also take along my very happy horse.

 

Good night mom and good night dad

Thank for imaginations you both have

you gave me dreams to wish about

when I grow up in my own house

 

I'll teach my kids like you taught me

to take your trucks seriously

I'll give them ideas and happy times

show all my trucks in neon limes

 

Reds and greens, blues and browns

show them the city and country towns

show them roads on all kinds of maps

cars and trucks without mishaps

 

Have you seen my truck today-or did my truck just drive away?

 



Christmas Tears-A poem a day....

 

 It comes to your door every year

sounds of winters' wind and cold

and the lonely sit and remember

life past as they grow old.

 

Christmas tears to all who see

life without love and home

but memories left to think through

about all of those who are alone.

 

Christmas tears in and out

young children homeless too

wondering why they no longer feel

love from all that's due.

 

It comes to your door every year

now open up and see

all the children on the street

who need, you and me and He.

 

Wrap your arms in love

an invisible hug or two

show your heart, weep within

for every child who needs you.

 

Christmas tears from them we know not

young, old, hurting and passed away

Let this year open us up

Past Christmas a year, a month, and a day.



Really ,a Best Friend?

       Lately I have been hearing about being someones best friend.  Over and over one after another I heard what best friends they were, yet one is gone, and it may not have been prevented no matter what.
        They brag on social media about being best friends. Really ? How is it you are a best friend to a person who has addictions and participate with them. You don't unless one of two things. You're not a best friend at all, not even close or you have your own addictions. Misery loves company.
       The people left behind are the real best friends, the ones who didn't participate with the addictions, but went out to eat or shop or just spend time, it was the parents, aunts, uncles, brothers and one very special cousin, maybe a few I didn't know about because other cousins are pretty good people too.
       Yet those best friends are seen once again on social media pages at the same places, no longer wounded but participating again with another who may also be addicted. When do we learn? When does it stop? Be a real best friend. Walk away from those places. Meet at a restaurant, a movie, your home, go bowling  and so much more in life that's available.
      Think about happiness, real, not under the influence happiness, or phony friends. Be a better friend, because your kind of friendship is a dime a dozen.

Master Chef Junior-What Great Kids

     So where does it come from ? Those kids and their talents and the want to, the drive to do so well comes from where or who. If I remember correctly every child on that show had someone in the family who is either a chef, owner of a restaurant or has a family member who loves to cook. Eight years old is the youngest one.
     These kids entered a contest to win one hundred thousand and from the start I hoped it would end with Alexander and Dorah/Dora ? Those two especially stood out as kids who were more kind in general. to be honest I thought a fix was in for Jack because of the compliments he received from all the chefs in the beginning, seemingly more personal, made me think his father was station owner etc.
      I wish somehow both kids would each receive one hundred thousand as a first time show, but I know only one winner. But come on guys, make a second place like thirty thou. My vote is for Alexander from day one-but I think these chefs will give it to Dora/Dorah/Dara-you know the way Ramsey pronounces names.