Hi Hollie, I really like your blog. I think you answer these questions really well. I enjoy it every day. I would like to ask you about your thoughts on gun control? Thank you.

Hi Ken,
Thank you for you nice comments, I really appreciate it. Now, on to your question. I assume you are asking me in light of the tragic events that happened this past week. First, let me say, I cannot begin to say how sad, how deeply hurt, how I weep for those families, my heart is heavy, so very heavy for them. With that being said, I am not sure how to answer this question. I feel like guns should be used by professionals. Trained individuals who need them for their jobs, such as law enforcement, military, security, etc. I think hunters should be allowed to have them with extensive training and safety measures. I really don't see a need for them otherwise. I mean what purpose do they really hold? When I see someone have them for sport, show, or gang related activities, I see problems. Listen this is just my opinion. I know in our world, this is not going to happen. So, if you have guns in your home, then lock them up. Keep them in a safe, or lock box designed for guns. Keep the guns and ammo seperate. Hide the key, put it out of sight. Don't tell anyone where it is. Young children especially are curious, so don't showboat. I really think gun laws should be stricter and tougher, and that Ken is my thoughts on gun control.

Agreed! Guns are just trouble. Hollie is so nice in her response. I think they should only be used by professionals.

Hi Hollie,
My mother smokes. She is coming for Xmas to my house. We do not smoke, and my wife is telling me that I have to tell my mother to go outside if she wants to smoke. This will be her first Xmas without my father who passed over the summer. I do not want to aggravate her or make the holidays any harder for her. What do I do? We have no kids in the home, and are only having 5 other adults over. Thanks.

Hi Greg,
Tell her. Smoking is gross. I am sorry that you lost your father. I can understand not wanting to upset your mother, but this is pretty serious. After all, it is your home, or I should say yours and your wifes and you should respect her wishes. Tell your mother nicely. Blame it on a phantom guest if you don't want her to feel like your wife is alienating her. Say something like, " Hey mom, during your visit for Christmas, if you have to have a cigarette, you'll have to take it outside because Tom is coming and he is allergic to the smell and will get very sick. Thanks for understanding." I personally would just be straight up with her and let her know that it is your house and you and your wife do not like the smell that it leaves in your home and it is very unhealthy for you guys to breath in. She should understand and respect your wishes. You should try to get her to quit all together, but save that talk for another day.

Hollie, how do you tell someone that you can't deal with their constant interrupting of your conversations? We have this girl at work who constantly involves herself in everybody's conversations, work related or not. Her comments are usually ignorant to boot. She is in pretty good with the boss, and if anyone says something to her, she cries, literally cries. Help she is driving us nuts, but none of know how to make her stop. We certainly don't want to hurt her feelings. thanks

Hello Readers, thank you for your concerns about me not blogging on the Patch. I am sorry I have been slow, I have been down with a terrible cold. But two doctors visits later and some antibiotics, I am back, so thanks for your calls and thank you to Vanessa all the way in NY!

Welcome back Hollie, morning coffe hasn't been the same!

Here is my question.
Do you tell your best friend that her husband grabbed your "rear" at the Saturday night Xmas party at the Elks? He didn't just pinch, he grabbed and rubbed..

Hello,
What do you think about all the school days off? I feel like every other week there is something. Half days, professional days, developement days, monday holidays, vacation weeks in December, February, April, snow days..etc. I mean really how long is the school year? I am a working father of three kids in two seperate school systems and their days do not co-incide with each other even though they are both in the same town. It is really hard to find a sitter, short of taking days off from work, or borrowing time from family members. I think the school system should really think about all the time they give off. No wonder why the Chinese and Japanese are surpassing us in academics. What are your views?

Hi Peter,
Well, my first thought is that I should have been a teacher! I have a child in the school system, & I know all the days off can be frustrating, but unfortunately we cannot control them, nor can we judge the teachers for having them off. I think that some of the teachers really deserve them. I also think that professional & developement days are one in the same. So rather than beat a dead horse, here are some ideas that might help. First off, you might want to try to get the school year schedule at the beginning of the year & try to put in for some of the vacations & days off at your job when school starts in September. Another thing, is try "kiddie-pool". It is similiar to car-pool. You try to get in with the same group of parents of kids that you child is friends with, people you know. Then on those days when they have half days or days off, you "kiddie-pool". Every parent takes turns watching the kids. Maybe you have a certain Monday off that another parent can't get so you watch their child with yours. Then on a different day that parent watches the kids at their place and vice versa. Everyone takes turns. It takes some work to make a calendar where everyone can agree on days and times, but when it works, it really helps out. Also, alot of schools still run the after school programs during the half days so you could look into that too. I hope you find what you are looking for. In regards to the Chinese & Japanese, not so sure about that...

What do you think of the lack of good childrens programs on TV. With school vacation here and me being on vacation as well, I notice how few programs for kids there are on tv. my son is 8 and my daughter is 10. any suggestions?

Read a book! You can pretty much do anything you want in a book. It is a lot better for the kids and helps expand their mind. Go outside. Go sledding over at Shed Park, shoot some hoops over at Livingston, join the Y. Tv is for stuck in the house days. Snow storms and such. If you can't get out and TV is the only option, try Red Box or Net flicks. Depending on the cable you have, there are lots of kids programs On Demand.