"Should old aquaintance be forgot...."

Well, the rush of Christmas is over. Thank God.
As the kids get older, it's just not the same. There are few surprises. The items get big-ticketier, so there are less of them. Keith and I didn't exchange gifts this year, because of the "lost money" fiasco. We did, however, pull off a big surprise. We got Braden and JJ a four-wheeler. Keith had it hidden at the neighbors, and Christmas morning, after the gifts were opened and the kids settled in to play their new video games, he ran over and drove it over. Braden was screaming like that kid on the commercial, and JJ was breathless. That was the highlight of my Christmas.
Braden hasn't had a meltdown in nearly a week, and things have sort of relaxed a bit here. Just a bit, though. He's still extremely miserable, and very easily frustrated, but no yelling, screaming, hitting or kicking. Part of me is thrilled, and the other part is just waiting for it to happen. I hope the second part of me is the one that's disappointed.
For New Year's, we're going to a small party with some friends. It's the people we vacation with every year. The kids all get along, and the adults will sit around and shoot the shit and have a couple of drinks. It should be a good time, and I'm really looking forward to it.
I hope you all had a great Christmas, and wish you a Fabulous New Year's.

I received a Christmas gift today. It's a cute chest filled with treats and snacks. The problem is, I have no idea who it's from. It came UPS, from Overstock.com, but there's no name on it anywhere except mine.

I saw mommy taking valium.....

I can't believe that a week from today is Christmas. Where did the time go? Where did my holiday spirit go?
I still didn't find that $400. So, we had to take money out of the credit union to cover Christmas, and we really had to cut back. I'm not getting Keith anything (except a couple of small things from the kids) and he's not getting me anything. I'm mostly done with shopping. I have to pick up a couple of gift cards for my dad, and something for JJ's brother, Andrew, who will probably be spending Christmas day with us. Nothing is wrapped, though most of the clothes are now in gift boxes. I made my cutout cookies last night and tonight I'm doing chocolate chip. I have to do my cream cheese cookies, oatmeal cookies and those peanut butter ones with the chocolate in the center. I have a stupid paper I have to write by Wednesday for that training I went to a month ago. What else? Oh, my house looks like a train ran through it.
Braden's been having those meltdowns at least once a week. I took him to the doctor, who's experimenting with different doses of his medicine. If that doesn't work, after the first of the year, we are going to try something new. It's such a horrible feeling to feel like you can't be away from home because you're the one who handles these things the best, yet you want nothing more than to be away from him. Then, you feel guilty for wanting to be away from him. I walk around trying to figuratively clear the path for him, so nothing frustrates him too much. Then, I resent having to treat him with kid gloves. Some days I feel like I'm the best mother in the world for dealing with all this, then an hour later I feel like certainly there's something I could have done different so he wouldn't be like this, and surely I'm the worst mother in the world for wanting to get in my car and drive far, far away. If he had leukemia, epilepsy, or some other more physical malady, I wouldn't have to feel like I have to hide this from people. But, could you imagine if word of this got out? He'd probably wind up with no friends, and be the talk of the town. If stress where worth money, I'd be rich. Rich I tell ya, rich!

"Mr. Bigstuff, who do you think you are?"

I don't know who I think I am, but some people's Christmas lights/displays really piss me off. I would like to have a little tablet of tickets made up and go around and put them on people's doors. They would say, "I've seen your Holiday display and:" then one of the following would be checked off:
1. They're absolutely beautiful
2. Nice job
3. You're almost there, keep trying
4. What in the hell are you thinking? You should have your power cut off so no one has to look at this hideous creation

I know it's petty and anal of me, but it really gets on my nerves when people have horrible looking decorations out. Who DO I think I am?

On another note, I've lost a big chunk of my Christmas money. It was sitting on the island in the kitchen, and Keith said, "you better put that somewhere." and I did. I thought I put it in the envelope where I had the rest of the money, but it's not there. I've checked every drawer, cuppyhole, basket and cabinet. I can't find it anywhere. $400. Down the drain. I don't even know how long it's been missing. Could have been for weeks, since I hardly did any shopping yet, I don't really go in that envelope. It could have been stolen, I guess, or I could have misplaced it. Maybe I even threw it away by mistake. There are going to be some sad faces, mainly mine, come Christmas morning.

Here we go

Okay, I'm using Picasa, since I couldn't get them to post the traditional way.

 
  

Here are a couple of pictures....The first one is the new cat, Baxter. It's hard to get a good picture of her, because she's all black and doesn't show up very well. The other picture is Ed, the cat in the Christmas tree. This is the cat that looks like Emma's Nesta, although Ed is obviously much cuter.
Not much else to post right now, I'll update sometime over the weekend. On Saturday we're going to NYC for the day...shopping, eating, sightseeing, etc. I'm sure I'll have something to say after that.

Hmmm, it wouldn't let me download the pictures....I'll have to try again later.

"The cats in the cradle and the silver spoon..."

Those of you who seem to find more to say when things aren't going as well as may be expected will enjoy this post.
As I said in my last post, we do our big Thanksgiving dinner on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. So, I had 22 people coming to eat at my house. I spent all day Friday decorating and cleaning. Saturday I cooked and cleaned some more. Sunday, I was up at the crack of dawn doing yet more cooking and cleaning.
You may recall that we have two cats. Ed and Fat Joe. We got them at the same time from some rescue agency. Ed is very personable and a people person. Fat Joe...not so much. He basically hides in the basement, eats and shits. Every once in a while Braden was able to get Fat Joe to sit with him for ten minutes and be petted. As long as Braden went to the basement.
Sunday morning I went down to feed the cats, and Fat Joe didn't come running. Very unusual. I looked around, and he was just laying there. I didn't think too much of it. But a short time later, I heard him making this very strange meow. I went down, and he was still laying in the same spot, but it looked like he was trying to move, but couldn't. Well, to make a long story short, I had to prepare a dinner for 22 while a cat was in my basement dying, and Braden was a wreck. He kept going down and checking on him, crying.
Fat Joe passed away around 8:00 that night. Braden was inconsolable. He tried to give him mouth to mouth and cpr. He was holding him saying, "Come back Fat Joe." He cried and cried and cried. Then he said, "I'll have to get a new cat now." Through his tears, I told him that we'd go to the SPCA and see what they had. This made Braden feel a little better, and he soon cried himself to sleep.
Monday, we went and walked into the "cat room". We wound up getting this beautiful, black maine coon-type cat. He has the softest fur. He loves to be held and rubbed. It was a miracle we didn't leave with more, because they all looked so needy.

"He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of company D"

Well, the Christmas season is officially here.
We did absolutely nothing for Thanksgiving. We do our big family dinner on Sunday. We used to do Thanksgiving Day with Keith's mom, but since she passed away, we just stay home. Keith, Braden and I went to see Casino Royale. JJ was at his aunt's for the holiday. That night, I drove to Harrisburg to pick up Renee to come and stay for a few days. What's up with her, you might be thinking. Well, I'll tell you. She wants to join the Army. Yes, Renee in the army. She's met with the recruiter twice, taken a couple of tests, and says she's serious about this. When I told my parents her plans, my dad said, "Whose army?"
JJ made the basketball team, so he had to cut his Thanksgiving vacation short. Instead of staying in Philly until Monday, he came home last night. He's doing very well in school, and has moved up several levels and if things keep going this well, he'll be going to regular school just after Christmas.
Braden had a decent week. No real outbursts. Lots of moodiness, though. But, we were able to talk through near-meltdowns and avoid calamity. I've tried to get him to commit to a Christmas list, but it changes daily.
I had planned to do cooking and grocery shopping yesterday, in preperation for feeding the 20 or so people here tomorrow, but it was so nice out, that I decorated for Christmas. All but my tree. I don't remember ever decorating for Christmas without a jacket on. I was actually sweating. I hung all white lights outside, but Keith and the kids are complaining that it needs some color, so I might have to pick up something colorful to put out there.
Well, I'm off to get a shower and go grocery shopping. Then I have to make the make-ahead things for tomorrow.

"Cause you had a bad day, you're taking one down"

I have had the worst week imaginable. Maybe not the worst week imaginable, but a very bad week.
As most of you know, Braden is bi-polar. While there have been, I'll use the word explosions here, because that's what they're like, explosions before, they've been once a month, or every two months, or every three weeks. Good times in between. Calm times in between.
This week, we've had three nights of hell in a row. Tuesday night, he went off over something, and I can't even remember what it was. Something inconsequential. It usually is. Something most of us would be able to shrug off. He gets violent now during his episodes. Throwing things, tipping furniture over, saying he's going to hit Keith or I, threatening to kill himself or run away. Tuesday night's tirade lasted about an hour, but then subsided. The one good thing, as twisted as this sounds, about these episodes is that the days right after, Braden's overcome with this kind of peace. Partly to make up for what happened, and partly because his body feels good to have released it's posion. But that didn't happen this time.
Wednesday night it happened again. But this time it only lasted about twenty minutes, and wasn't nearly as bad as the night before. Just enough to unsettle everyone in the house.
Thursday night was the worst ever. All I did was tell him to call his aunt to ask her how to switch sim cards in a phone before he did it wrong and screwed them up. He went ballistic. And, not spoiled brat ballistic. Just crazy people ballistic. He took a knife and tried to cut himself. He told me I better watch my back because he was going to get me. He kept swinging at me, close enough that I could feel the air swoosh by my face, but not close enough to make contact. With Keith it was a different story. He was punching him and hitting him. We restrained him three times in a 2 1/2 period. The whole time he's crying, "I can't stop. I need to calm down. Make it stop." I thought I was going to have to call the police or an ambulance. And, it's very hard for Keith to stay calm during this. He yells and threatens, adding fuel to the fire. When all was said and done, he was unconsolable.
I talked to his doctor, who thinks it might be a medicine thing, and we've upped the dose of one of them. We've tried to talk to Braden to find out what's going on. He's getting very frustrated with school again this year, and thinks one of his teachers hates him. I know this woman, she had him last year. I think he's imagining it. Also, he's a peanut of a kid. Probably a good six inches shorter, and fifty pounds lighter than his friends/classmates. They're all going through puberty, he isn't yet. He hates that he gets pulled out for learning support english and math, yet he'd flounder in reg ed classes for those subjects. I think that all these frustrations add up all day long, and he holds it in all day. He wouldn't want to have an episode at school in front of his peers or teachers, so he comes home and then the slightest little thing happens, and the floodgates open.
Needless to say, I haven't gotten anything done around the house this week. Dinners have been rushed and thrown together, laundry is stacked up and my part time job has been ignored. We're walking on eggshells. It's really like a battle ground.

"The wheels on the bus go round and round"

Keith was away on a work trip all week, so my week was kind of hectic. Not that I missed him or anything, but I was the one that had to do all the running, picking up of kids, etc. Most nights, we didn't eat dinner until 8:00.
JJ went on a home visit to his aunt's this weekend. We took him to the bus station at 5:30 Friday night, and he didn't get to Philly until after 10:00. Philly is only an hour and a half away. Poor kid. Sitting on a bus with a bunch of strangers all that time. At least he got a seat this time. Last time he went, he had to stand the whole way.
A few weeks ago we bought a used go-kart for the kids. It's a two seater, so Braden and JJ can both ride. We were having a problem getting it started, so we took it to a dealer to be fixed. Finally, we got it back this week. The kids are really enjoying it. They took me for a ride the other night, and they really enjoyed scaring the crap out of me by taking quick corners and dodging trees at the last minute. Then, they drove it right through this huge mud puddle. I was wet up to my waist, mud splattered all over my face, leaves stuck in my hair...I was screaming and laughing at the same time. I probably haven't been muddy in over 30 years. Braden and JJ thought it was hysterical that they got me all wet and dirty.
I went to a surprise 40th birthday party last night, and met a woman who is quite an accomplished seamstress. An accomplished seamstress that's retired, looking for projects to do and has a basement full of fabric. I'm going to have her make me an ottoman cover and some dining chair slip covers. And, maybe I won't stop there.
I'm having a Tastefully Simple party here this afternoon. If you've never been to one, it's all things you'd use to cook/entertain. All food products. Dip mixes, marinades, drinks, etc. I love the stuff. Hopefully a lot of people will order and I'll earn tons of free stuff.
JJ has basketball tryouts this week, and Braden doesn't have anything going. I have a Jewelry party to go to on Thursday night. Other than that, we have a week that should be pretty calm.

"Play that funky music white boy"

I've really got nothing exciting to report, so you can skip this post if you want.

Trick or Treat was Tuesday night. Braden dressed up as a pimp - I wanted to post some pictures, but none of my batteries are charged enough to download from my camera. JJ said he was too old to go (which I agreed with), so he hid on the porch and scared the crap out of kids when they reached for the candy. Also, he inadvertantly scared some of the parents - even though they didn't say anything - I could see the look on their faces, "Oh my God, a black person!"
The first marking period is over, and I'm not sure what JJ's grades are going to be, but Braden is winding up with an A, a C and the rest B's. Not too bad considering he missed a few homework assigments because I refuse to fight with him over them anymore.
JJ has his last football game on Monday, then he gets a week off, then there's basketball tryouts. He's made quite a few friends on the football team and hopefully he'll make even more playing basketball. He said to me the other week, "Miss, I never thought I'd have so many white friends." At one of his football games, he was on the line of scrimmage, and on the other team, right across from him, was a Puerto Rican kid that went to Second Chance with JJ. The kid said, "What are you doing playing ball with all these white boys?" JJ said Nazareth's whole line of scrimmage was lauging so hard, the almost got a flag for moving before they were supposed to (I'm sure there's a football term for that, but I don't have any idea what it would be). Behaviorally, he's doing really well at school, and has moved up to the silver level-if he does good for the next marking period, they'll send him to our regular high school.
Braden's still sticking with scouts, although it's getting harder and harder to keep him interested. There's only a couple of kids his age still in it, and he's always looking for excuses not to go. Last week, he wanted to stay home and study for a test - so you know it's bad.
I have a training for school to go to this week. I'll be out of the building Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It couldn't come at a worse time, as all the grades and such have to be in this week. I'm on the school's SAP team, and it's an official SAP training, so I have to go. At least I get to sleep a half an hour later.
That's about all I have to offer. Pretty slim pickings.

"The screamin tires, the bustin glass, the painful scream that I heard last"

You know, ever since I saw the first Volkswagon commercial where the two guys are driving along, chatting with eachother and out of nowhere a car comes and crashes into them, my life has changed. I can be watching a tv show, living vicariously through Kate or Joy or Michael, when it shows them in a car. My heart rate starts to increase. My palms get sweaty. God forbid the driver look over at the passenger and start talking. When that happens, I actually have to get up and walk around the room, or sneak into the kitchen for a snack. I'm always expecting a car to come barreling through an intersection and plow into them. It's really awful. Those ads really get to me, and it's ruining my television viewing experience.

It's that time of the year again. I hate when it happens. It's election time. I really am so sickingly tired of the ads these politicians run. They don't have anything good to say, just negative things about their opponents. The only thing I know about any of them, after months of their campaigning, is who they hate. I wish that everyone would refrain from voting for any candidate that ran negative ads. Wouldn't that be something? If on election day, only a handful of people showed up to vote. I'd love it.
You know what else I love? As silly as it sounds, I love when THE SHELL WITH IT shows up at the top of the list. Isn't that ridiculous? But I love it. I really do.
I bought a new $45.00 bra from Victoria Secrets. I love their bras, and I can walk in and buy any 34C and know it's going to fit. But, this time I wanted a non-underwire bra. So, I bought the IPEX one. I hate it. It's bunchy on the sides, and it kind of hurts across my back. What gives VS????

"Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart..."

I need a new pillow. I had the best pillow in the world. I'd had it since I was a kid (imagine the "stuff" living inside of it) but I had to get rid of it about a year or so ago. Now, I can't find a pillow I like. I wake up with headaches, and neckaches all the time. It can't be too soft, and it can't be too hard. It needs to be just right. I feel like Goldilocks. A couple of months ago Keith bought me a $75 pillow with memory foam inserts in them - yuck. The worst pillow yet. And, the problem is, in the store, they all feel comfortable. Of course, I'm only touching them. Not laying on them for six hours.
Any recommendations? Can I get a little assistance? Help a brother out!

"Wednesday at three I called the phone company, singin' hey baby put a phone in for me"

We went to get new cell phones last week. We switched to Cingular, the family plan. Radio Shack had a deal on phones, so that's where we went. BIG MISTAKE! There was only one person working and the whole process took only 3.5 hours! And then, when he had the phones all sitting on the counter, programmed and ready to go, he went to the back room to get the paperwork he printed, someone came in and swiped one of the phones. Right in front of us. Well, right in front of Keith. Braden, JJ and I were looking in another section of the store at remote control cars. So, we had to start all over again with the 4th phone. What a waste of a Sunday afternoon.

School is going well. We probably have the worst class in the whole building (barring the Conduct Disorder class). But, I really like the teacher I'm working with, and the staff in the neighboring classrooms too. They are a bunch of very funny people, and the day really flies. One of my kids told me earlier this week that "someone should punch me in the head and teach me a lesson". I just laughed and said if were that easy, my husband would have done it years ago. Sometimes, if I have to entertain them for a short period of time, I'll tell them my stories that I used to post here. Last week, I told them about being clothes-lined in 7th grade. I showed them a very geeky picture of me to go along with the story. One of my toughest kids looked at the picture and said, "Miss, if you would have taken those glasses off I'd have hit that." I looked at him and cleared my throat, and he said, "Sorry, I would have asked for your number." I said, "thank you, I think?"

Someone said, and I think it was Binx, that maybe things would change and JJ would like his teacher, and Braden would hate his. Well, it happened. Or, I should say it's happening. Thanks, Binx. Why couldn't you have predicted that they would both end up liking their teachers?

Today we're going to a picnic/party. It's a reunion of a softball league that used to play 25 years ago. I'm sure there will be lots of drunked men there, reliving their glory days. I'm also sure that Keith will be included in that bunch.

"This here's the story bout Billy Joe and Bobby Sue..."

What a Saturday we had! Looking back now, it's a little funny. In fact, if it would have happened to someone else, it would have been funny by Sunday.
Braden was not having a good day. It was JJ's birthday, and in spite of my efforts to pay a lot of attention to Braden, he didn't take too well to having someone else in his own house have the limelight. He didn't do anything major, just lots of annoying shit all day long.
He and JJ got into an arguement about where their bike ride should end - which is no big deal, right? But, Braden has to fight dirty in every arguement and he called JJ the N word, and in the midst of their arguement said that he wished he'd never come into our lives. So, obviously, Braden got grounded.
That afternoon, Keith and JJ were going to go to Walmart so JJ could spend some birthday money, and I wouldn't let Braden go because of his behavior earlier. This didn't sit well with Braden, so he pitched a royal fit. Tried to block Keith from leaving the driveway, threatening to run away, standing in the front yard screaming his head off like a three year old. I told him that if he didn't come in the house, I was going to call the police because running away is illegal. But, what I didn't realize is that Braden had the phone outside with him. So, to be a wiseguy, he decides to call them himself. He dialed 911, but then quickly hung up when he thought better of it. TOO LATE!
Of course the police call back, and I explain that it was just my son being a wise guy. They insist on sending a patrolman over to check. REWIND to about an hour before all this when Braden had a bloody nose (he gets them occasionally), but didn't come in the house, so there were blood drops all over my sidewalk and porch, and all over the front of Braden's shirt.
I quickly made him jump in the shower and am about to wash the blood off the sidewalk when the cop car pulls in. By this time, Braden's hysterical that they're going to take him away. I explain to the officer what he did, but he wants to talk to Braden. I go up to the shower and coax Braden to come down and talk to the cop...but, of course I have to talk extra sweetly to Braden because I have a cop in my living room. While Braden's coming down the stairs, a second cop car pulls into the driveway. Oh, and it's in the middle of a beautiful Saturday afternoon, so all the neighbors are outside - kids playing, men lawn-mowing, etc.
They give Braden and lecture on what 911 really is for, ask him if he feels safe, tell him that he can't get that angry every time he gets grounded, because at 13, he has a lot of groundings coming up. Braden kept staring at me the whole time he's talking to them, like he's checking with me for his answers. It was awful.
The cops left, walking right over the bloody sidewalks, and for the rest of the day I kept waiting for Child Protective Services to come back and arrest me.
I think I can honestly say that it was one of the worst days of my life. If the cops hadn't believed him, I could have lost my job, we could have lost JJ, and lord only knows what could have happened to Braden.

"Teacher don't you fill me up with your rules...."

As I said before, we work in this wonderful, state-of-the-art new building now. Everything's nice and clean and sparkly. Everything is also very automated. Especially the bathrooms. Automatic toilets, automatic sinks, automatic hand dryers.

Not that I especially mind this automation, but I run into a little problem. You see, I stand to wipe. Does anyone else stand to wipe. The damn toilet always flushes when I stand to wipe, then I have to get it to flush again when I'm through. So, for the past four or five weeks, I've been doing this little "I'm finished peeing" dance in front of the sensor to make it flush, after it's already flushed.

But, lo and behold, I just found out the other day that there's a button you can press to make it flush. Imagine by surprise! No more "I'm finished peeing" dance. A wise woman down the hall filled me in on this little secret. I'm going to nominate her to win a lottery ticket during our next staff meeting. It's not exactly what people normally get nominated for, but, I think it's just as important.

"It's a family affair..."

Two school weeks down, countless more to go.
Braden mostly likes all his teachers....he doesn't dislike any of them, so that's a big plus. JJ, on the other hand, absolutely hates his teacher. And, knowing JJ as I do, that's going to lead to trouble. He's already gotten into little arguements with her over her treatment of other kids in the class. I'm trying to explain to him that maybe it would be in his best interest if he just worried about himself, instead of the others, but little Al Sharpton thinks that he has to stand up for people that won't stand up for themselves.
My class is pretty good. My favorite student so far just got sent back to Philadelphia, so I have a vacancy. (I'll tell you his story another time, you just need to know it's a sad one) We're getting a new girl on Monday, a transfer down from another class. She's a beautiful girl, but as street as they come. Every other word out of her mouth is "fuck", and she doesn't even realize she says it. It should be interesting. She'll be the only girl in the class, so that should shake things up a bit too.
I took my venus fly trap plant in last week, and the kids are fascinated. I have to keep looking for little things like that to take in. Things that make them ask questions and want to know more.
I'm sad that summer's over. Summer is my favorite time of year. Although, I can say that I'm a little anxious to decorate for fall. I love putting mums, pumpkins and hay bales on the porch. And, the colors are so pretty.
JJ had his first football game on Tuesday. They won, 21-0. He's second string, but got to play nearly the whole fourth quarter, and made a really good tackle, where they announced his name on the loud speaker. He's also on all the special teams, whatever that means.
The new tv season is starting soon. There's a couple of shows that look promising, plus I can't wait for Earl, The Office and Lost to start up again. Prison Break already began its new season, and it's really good. JJ made fun of me the first night it was on, because I told him we all gather in the living room and watch it as a family. He kept mocking the "family time" part of the process. But, now every Monday he says, "Miss, today's Monday. We all watch Prison Break together tonight." If his hood buddies at the Home could hear him, they'd faint. Or disown him. Or envy him.

"But that doesn't mean my feet are too big for my bed..."

What a wet, soggy few days! Everything feels damp and sticky, except, of course, me. JJ's first football game was canceled, and both kids were in the house mostly non-stop.

The first week of school went fairly well. I think I'll like the teacher I'm working with, and the kids in my class aren't too bad...yet. There is this one 9th grader that still wears light-up sneakers that I'm a bit concerned about.

On Saturday night, we went out to dinner to one of those Hibachi grill places. The food was fantastic, but the guy who cooked at our table was like a wet rag. He seemed like he'd rather be anywhere else that in that restaurant. We went with the neighbors, and it was my idea...so I felt kind of badly about it. At least the food was good.

On Sunday, we went to an indoor laser tag/bowling alley/arcade place in the poconos. The kids had a great time, and so did I when I kicked everyone's butts in bowling. One of Braden's friends went along with us. He's my favorite of his friends, even though he's probably the nerdiest. This kid is a straight through high honor roll student, never swears or talks back...the exact opposite of Braden. I don't see why they're friends. But, even funnier, is watching him interact with JJ. It's like street vs prep school. But, they get along great. The kid's last name is pronounced Biss-e-oh, and JJ calls him Bitch-e-oh. The kid calls JJ, Gay-J. It's hysterical. Or maybe just to me.

I'm doing pretty well with the no smoking. I'm allowing myself four cigarettes a day. One in the morning, one after work, one after dinner and one before bed. Soon, I'm going to cut back to three, but I don't know when. I keep putting it off.

"It's been a while"

What a week! Back to work. Now, my house, which was clean all summer, is a mess. In one week. How can it happen so fast? I haven't blogged all week...everything's on the back burner, again.
The kids are mostly ready to go back. There's been a guarentee from Nazareth that they won't strike until at least September 21st, when they have a meeting to vote on the new contract. So, hopefully, there won't be a strike.
We took JJ for a haircut last night at a barber shop in Easton. Now, picture the barbershop from the movie, "Barbershop"...it was almost like that. Except, not nearly as big. It was fun just being there, listening to everyone. Keith and I were the only white people there.
The rules where I work have changed, and we can't wear open toed shoes anymore, so I had to do some shoe shopping...nearly all of my summer/early fall shoes are sandals, so I had to get new ones. Isn't it great to have an excuse to "have to" get new shoes?
Jj's been playing football on the freshman team. He's very good, but is only on second string. I hope it's just because he's new, and not because of his color. He's making friends with kids on the team though, which is really good.
Braden wanted those really tight jeans for back to school, so we got him a pair. He looks like he's starved in them. He's skinny to begin with, but at least with the baggier cut, it wasn't so obvious. His new look (and he always has one) is polo shirts and tight jeans.
The neigbor kid leaves today for his sophmore year of college. Last year, the mom was balling her eyes out the week before he left, and the week after he left. This year, she told me, she was counting the days till he leaves. What a difference a year makes.
Well, that's about it for me and my same-ole same-ole.

"Guess it's over, call it a day. Sorry that it had to end this way..."

Well, it's over. I go back to work tomorrow. After two months off. (I feel like Blu, except for the exotic travel and drinks by the pool, being single and carefree parts.) I know people who work year round don't want to hear it. Keith's gloating. I'm kind of looking forward to going back. We built a brand new building and it will be exciting to be the first to use it. The old building we were in was horrible...buckets catching water when it rained. Some rooms were 110 degrees, while others were 50. No phones in the room. All of that will be changed this year. I can't wait to see the kids' faces when they come through the front doors on the first day of school. Most of these kids haven't had anything brand new in their lives.

We're going to go do some back-to-school shopping tonight, after JJ's football practice. Braden wants to get those god-awful tight jeans. Not only are they ugly, but they're expensive too. JJ wants sneakers and some new shirts. Braden got his new sneakers last week. Also, I have to make a trip to Staples to get the 1" binders and whatever else is on their school lists.

Tomorrow night, Keith and I have a wedding to go to. I bought these really wide, flarey black slacks to wear, and a cute white and black frilly blouse. I have to try the pants on today to see if I'll need new shoes or if the ones I have will work. Saturday, JJ has a scrimmage in the morning, then we have a picnic to go to. Sunday, I volunteered to work at the open house they're having at my school. While I would have worked anyway, the principal threw in four hours of comp time for anyone that offered to help out.

So far, the Children's Home still won't let Robert come and visit. Yesterday they told Keith it was out of their hands, but that's all they said. What the hell does that mean?

Oh, and I'm going to try to quit smoking....again. I LOVE SMOKING! But, I wish I didn't smoke. Hopefully, I wish it enough to quit. It will be nice to not smell like a cigarette, to not have to spend the money every week and, you know, to not die of lung cancer. I'll die of skin cancer instead, from laying out. In fact, I already told the kids that since today is my last day off, I'm doing nothing this afternoon except sit by the pool and read. We'll see if that actually happens.

I don't know, I never should have started this lyric thing!

JJ's all registered for school. He's signed up for football, and has had his physical. He's 5'10" and 175 lbs. That sounds like a man, not a 14 year old. He's really doing well adjusting here...hanging out with the neighbor kids, doing chores around the house, he even called Keith "dad" a couple of times last week - which Keith eats up and gloats about later.

I have had neighbor kids here nearly constantly for the last month of so. About seven kids, aging in range from 12 to 16. Boy can they eat! I don't mind, I kind of like having them all hang around here. Except for picking up the gatorade bottles, the popsicle wrappers and turning tvs and video games off. I go grocery shopping on Fridays, and the snacks are almost demolished by Monday. Then, for the next four days I get to hear, "there's nothing here to eat!"

Braden's actually excited about going back to school. He's getting kind of bored with hanging around here every day. Sadly for him (and for me) it looks like the strike is on. I was telling him and some of his friends yesterday that they should organize a student picket line, to picket across the street from the teachers. The signs could read, "We want to go back to school", or, "couldn't you have worked this out months ago?". He doesn't think it's a good idea.

JJ's aunt (the one he visits when he goes to Philly) is coming up on Sunday for a little get-together. I've talked to her a couple of times on the phone, and she seems so nice. She keeps going on and on about how happy JJ seems now, and how much we mean to him, and she really would like to meet us. She's coming up with a couple of JJ's cousins...hopefully everything will run smoothly.

"Go Charlette, it's your birthday..."

When Braden was younger, we used to go all out for his birthday. You know, ponies, clowns, circus themes, dunk tank....whatever kind of party he wanted. As he got a little older, it became pricier and pricier to have this stupid party. So, we made a deal with him. You want a big, expensive party, you can have it. But then you'll get a very small present from us due to the cost of the party. Or you can not have the party (we'd still have cake for the family) and get $100 cash. Well, Braden loves to shop (for himself) so naturally he opted for the cash. After the first year, he asked if he could have one friend over to have cake with the family. But, now he has it down to a science. He asked three kids to come over and swim yesterday, then stay for cake with the family. He didn't invite any of the neighbor kids, and I wondered why. Now I know. As soon as the neighborhood kids see extra kids here, they all come over. At one point we had about 8 kids here, plus my family. This is Braden and his friends and his cake.

(Emma, if you look closely, you can see the back of tea lady's head)
All in all it was a good day. He's officially a teenager now. The big 1 3 !Everyone gave him money, so he'll be driving me nuts all day today to go shopping, but, hey, it only happens once a year.

"It's late September and I really should be back at school"

The family reunion went surprisingly well. I saw relatives I wouldn't have recognized if they would have knocked on my door. Everyone said they were glad we decided to do it, and we should make it at least a yearly thing. There were no fights. There were no drunks. There was, however, a funny game of basketball where all the men (mid 40's to 50's) decided to play with the kids (14-21)...I thought for sure the ambulance would be needed.
We've been settling in here. JJ is getting more and more comfortable. Which is great. The honeymoon period with him and Braden is over though, as they sometimes argue. Actually, Braden argues, JJ just says, "yeah you're right", which really pisses Braden off. All in all, everything's going well.
The other day we were driving through town and a group of daycare kids was taking a walk, holding hands. "Why are they all holding hands," Braden asked. "Because it's a daycare, and they want to keep the kids together," I told him. Braden said, "Daycare? It's more like Gaycare!"
Our cell phone plan is up the end of August and we have to decide if we're going to stay with Verizon or switch to Cingular. We don't have a problem with Verizon, and Keith gets a company discount with them, but most everyone we know is Cingular, so I'm thinking all the "in network" calling would make up for the discount.
Soon it will be back to school shopping. Then, back to school itself. There's talk that our school district will be striking this fall. What am I going to do with Braden and JJ when I go back to work and they don't have school? The 18th is my first day back, and the kids supposedly start on the 28th. Please don't strike, please don't strike, please don't strike.

"And the course of a lifetime runs, over and over again"

We're having a family reunion today. All relatives from my father's side of the family. The first one we've ever had. It should prove to be very interesting.
My father's family is filled with crazy people. Seriously. My dad's brother, Uncle Dick (I like saying that) is a hobo. He wanders from town to town and bar to bar. I haven't seen him in years. He used to show up at my brother's in the winter if it was going to dip below zero and ask to sleep on their couch. I really don't even know if he's still alive. My dad's two sisters didn't speak to eachother in over 40 years - and the arguement started over a crib. One of the sister's has passed away since, she was my favorite aunt in the whole world. But, she didn't speak to her own children in over 30 years. She passed away with grandchildren she'd never met. The other sister, for some unknown reason, will not speak with my father. And, trust me, my father doesn't get involved in any of the bickering. He's like Switzerland. That's okay though, she was always the meanest, scariest one of the bunch anyway. I used to spend weeks at a time at her house when I was a kid because her daughter is my age and we used to be close. I haven't seen the daughter in years.
So, attending this family reunion will be: My father and tea lady, my half-brother and his family, my brother and his family, my sister, the children of the aunt who passed away and most of their families (they're mostly married with children of their own now), the son of the mean aunt and his family, and supposedly the daughter of the mean aunt, but I doubt she'll actually show up, oh and of course me and my family.
I was talking to my half-brother yesterday, and neither one of us can remember ever being together with all the cousins at the same time. No holiday dinners, no weddings, no funerals. Never. I'm pretty sure we should have some sort of law enforcement agency on standby.

I can't think of a song lyric...but I know I will after I hit "publish post"

Well, we're mostly settled.
On Wednesday I picked JJ (and his things) up. He told me to be there at 11:am. Of course I was anxious, so I got there a little early. When I got there, he was sitting there, waiting. We loaded all his things (which were all packed in trash bags-but more on that later) and then it was time for him to say goodbye.
A lot of the staff members had come to see him off - not the important ones like his casemanager or supervisor, but the ones that worked in the Acopian. They all said how much they would miss him and asked us to please keep in touch with them. The one guy told me that JJ (who like most teens, usually sleeps in) was up bright and early pacing around.
I felt very badly for Robert who didn't say two words. Just helped us load JJ's stuff with a very long face. His best friend is leaving him. So, I made arrangements to pick Robert up on Thursday for him to spend the day here.
We brought everything home and unloaded it. Keith came home from work and came up to JJ's room with us. "Welcome home, son." Keith said, then added, "It's okay that I call you that?" "Yeah, that's good," JJ answered.
I offered to help him put his stuff away, but he said, "Miss, I'm responsible. I can take care of myself." I told him I knew that, but I would like to help him get his things organized. He said no. A little later, he came to me and said, "If you really want to, you can put my clothes away for me. But only if you want to."
Later, Keith took him on some errands with him, so I went up to put his stuff away. Now, those of you with teenagers...imagine if someone told them to pack up everything they own. Now imagine if the only thing there were given to pack it in was garbage bags. He had papers in with his clothes. Stuffed animals, bedding (that I swear to you must have never, ever been washed), cd's, pens and pencils, knick knacks, clean clothes, dirty clothes....ALL MIXED TOGETHER! He had clothes that he hadn't worn in years...clothes that were sizes too small for him. He had one dress shoe! Anyway, we sorted it all, and put everything away. He just has one crate left of "junk" as he calls it. I can only imagine what's in there.
Him and Braden have been getting along so well...but I know it's only a matter of time until they start arguing. But, it's all good.
Yesterday, we were in the car on our way home from his dentist appointment and he asked if he could use my cell phone. "Sure," I said, "who are you going to call?" "My mom," he answered. The next thing I know, he showed me the number he'd dialed, and it was mine. I almost cried. The only thing I have to do now is to get him to stop calling me Miss!

"And as I grab the phone I pray Let it please be him Oh dear God It must be him"

I called JJ's caseworker yesterday and left a message asking when JJ could finally come and live with us. It was a month ago that they said a week or two. He was heartbroken that we had to take him back after vacation. Last night, we rode down there to see him and give him his toothbrush he left here and he said, "go start the car, and swing around, I'm going to make a break for it." Plus, school starts in a few weeks and I'd like him to get used to being here before he has to start another new thing. Of course, his caseworker never called back. I waited all day for his phone call. Then I waited again today.

Nothing.

I took Braden to get his cast off at about 2:30 and we were on our way when my cell phone rang. "Mrs. Koch? I have JJ in my office right now. We just had a meeting and we got the green light. He can come and live with you." "I'll be there in five minutes!" I practically screamed into the phone. Braden was going crazy. Arms flapping, screaming and smiling.

Of course, I couldn't get him that quickly. He has to pack his belongings (which I'm sure are few) and whatnot. So, tomorrow morning, at 10:30 sharp I'm taking Keith's truck and getting JJ and his things. As of tomorrow, by 1:00 he should officially be a resident of the Koch household!

I thought the day would never come. To be honest, I'm still not exactly sure I believe it's real. If a stranger were to walk into our house right now, he'd think we just won the lottery. We're all so excited!

"and go kart mozart checking out the weather chart"

What a great vacation!!
The weather was hot and sunny (which is exactly the way I like it), and a good time was had by all. We went to the water park, hung by the pool, the kids drove go-karts and played basketball and went to the arcade. We ate dinner out nearly every night (what's not to love about that?). Their was an illusionist that performed on Wednesday night, and he was very good, but also had a great sense of humor. We all enjoyed that show. I think the kids liked the go-karts the best.

The resort where we have our timeshare is a great place to go, especially with a family. They have every activity you can think of. But, it's laid back enough that you don't have to do anything at all. Braden was dazzling kids at the indoor pool with his flips off the diving board. He's just like Keith and will strike up a conversation with just about anyone. I knew a little bit about nearly everyone at the resort, just by listening to Braden. JJ was a pleasure to take along, as he's never been on a vacation before. Everything was please and thank you, and unlike spoiled Braden, he appreciated every little thing we did! I didn't hear "I'm bored" or "This is gay!" once out of his mouth.

The other family we went with enjoyed the place so much, that they purchased a timeshare of their own there.

JJ spent a whole week with us, and says that he still wants to come and live with us. Can you imagine? This is a picture of the whole gang we went with. From left to right: Keith, me, Braden, JJ, Cindy, Gary and Shane. That's our last night there, at the go-karting place.




My one complaing? (you know there has to be at least one, right?) was that my mattress was uncomfortable. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight. 

"One more song about moving along the highway. Can't say much of anything that's new"

Tonight, we're going in a road rally. It's something I've always wanted to do, and am really looking forward to it. We leave for vacation tomorrow. I'm not packed yet, but I have the clothes all pulled out. SO, I'll see you all in a week. Behave yourselves.
Look at these interesting facts about me! I'll bet you didn't know half of them.

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Schell!

1. Schell is the only king without a moustache on the standard pack of cards!
2. Schell can sleep for three and a half years.
3. Red schell at night, shepherd's delight. Red schell at morning, shepherd's warning!
4. Schell can eat up to four kilograms of insects in a single night.
5. Birds do not sleep in schell, though they may rest in her from time to time.
6. Fish travel in schools, but whales travel in schell.
7. Schell became extinct in England in 1486.
8. All the moons of the Solar System are named after characters from Greek and Roman mythology, except the moons of Uranus, which are named after schell!
9. People used to believe that dressing their male children as schell would protect them from evil spirits!
10. Olympic badminton rules say that schell must have exactly fourteen feathers!

I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem

"Hide it in the hiding place where no one ever goes. Put it in the pantry with your cupcakes."

I've decided, at least until I decide not to, that I'm going to try to title each entry with lyrics from a song. We'll see how long that lasts.

Tomorrow is the home inspection. I've been trying to walk around my house, objectively, and see if there's anything remiss. I've got a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, smoke detectors all working, no exposed wiring. Is there anything else I should be concerned about? Should I hide the liquor? It's normal for a family to have a couple of bottles of liquor around, right? I guess as long as I'm not drinking it when the guy arrives, it should be alright. It's okay that it's obvious Keith's a hunter right? Or should I put away the deer head and boar head? Anything else you can think of that I should put away, or get out?

There's something wrong with my refrigerator, everything keeps freezing. I had the guy come today to check it out, and he said it needs a new thermostat and that he'd order one for me. I hope it's not too expensive.

I took Braden to his annual psychiatrist appointment today...he's impressed with what a great school year Braden had, and wants to try to cut back on his meds a little. While I'd like Braden to be on as little medicine as possible, I don't want to rock the boat too much. Once again, it's a quagmire.

Braden pulled his first all-nighter last night. Him and some of the neighbor kids slept out in a tent. They went from house to house all night. I heard them come in here about 4:30 this morning...Keith wasn't very happy about it either. They fell asleep around 6 this morning, then woke up at 11:30. He napped on the way to the doctor and on the way home. He should be a bear around 8:00 tonight.

How do you like my hedgehog? Cute isn't she? For some reason, I like hedgehogs. Must be their prickly exterior. The same reason I like Nag, Allan and Emma.

I made myself a cd yesterday with songs I downloaded. Here is what's on it:
Just Walk Away Renee by The Association
Got to be Real by Cheryl Lynn
Welcome to Pooh Corner by Loggins and Messina
Night and Day by Al B Sure
Lonely Boy by Andrew Gold
Been Around the World by Lisa Stanfield
Knock Three Times by Tony Orlando and Dawn
September by Earth WInd and Fire
Now That We Found Love by Heavy D and the Boyz
Side Show by Blue Magic
Enough is Enough by Streisand and Summers
C'est La Vive by Robbie Neville
Don't Want to Fall in Love by Jane Child
Sign Your Name by Terrance Trent Darby
Mrs. Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel
Everlasting Love by Natalie Cole

Would you listen to any of these over and over again?

What a great weekend!
JJ came each day, (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). He wasn't allowed to stay over, but was here until 10 each night. Robert was supposed to just come on Friday and Sunday because he was going to be playing in a basketball tournament on Saturday, so we invited JJ's older brother here on Saturday. When I went to pick them up, the basketball thing had been canceled, so I had three of them here. It was a fun, fun day. They swam, ate, played video games, ate, rode the four-wheeler, ate, played basketball, ate, watched tv and of course, ate.
Braden went on a scout camping trip this weekend, and was gone from Friday evening until yesterday around lunch time. He had a good time, and was in charge of the food and cooking for the trip. He said everyone liked his menu and the boy that was supposed to help him wasn't much help, but he liked doing it himself. He has almost all his criteria met for 1st class scout. He says he wants to go on to be an eagle scout, but I don't know if he'll stick with it that long.
I indulged Keith on Saturday night, so he was in a great mood on Sunday.
Today, Braden has to go for bloodwork, and then to the dentist. Tomorrow he has a doctor's appointment, and Wednesday we have our home inspection by the Children's Home. Then I have to start packing. We leave for vacation on Sunday. I've booked the kennel for Toby, and hired the neighbor boy to feed the cats and water my containers.

Infestation - yuk

I've been infested....inside and out.

We have a terrible Japanese Beetle problem. It's in my old-man-walking-stick, my rose bushes, my pussy willow (sssh, Bert), my sandcherry (again, sssh)and Keith's prized Japanese red maple...they're everywhere. We've sprayed them a couple of times, and they just keep coming back. It's gross to see them all over the leaves...and most of the time they're having sex. I'm afraid it's turning Keith on.

I went to the dentist today for my cleaning. My gums are a mess. They've been slowly becoming a mess, but in the last three months, they've gotten extremely worse. And, I have a baby tooth (2nd from the front) that's getting very very loose. If it falls out, I won't leave the house. My teeth are crooked and I have a complete overbite. I just want to have them all yanked and get beautiful, straight, white false teeth. My dentist says I shouldn't do that...is she just saying that because she's a dentist? If I don't do that I'm looking at gum surgeries, orthodontics and implants...probably about double the price of a good set of dentures.

I'll admit it, I was wrong...

The meeting wasn't what I thought it was going to be. When the secretary called to set up the meeting, she said it was "a meeting about JJ"....and, his meeting was supposed to be yesterday, so I assumed it was "HIS MEETING". I was wrong. It was just a general meeting with us and other people that sponsor kids at the home. It was a good meeting, but not the one I'd hoped for. I learned something shocking at the meeting....there are 125 kids at the home (some in group homes, some at the actual campus). Of those kids, only 12 kids have sponsors. And, Keith and I sponsor 2 of them. That's very sad, isn't it? HOWEVER, at the end of the meeting the facilitator told us that he had a message for us. He said that we were supposed to call the person in charge of the fostering today. He said he didn't know exactly what it was about, but he thought it was good. Now, I'm just waiting for a decent time so I can call.

After the meeting we went to see JJ and Robert. JJ said his caseworker told him yesterday that within weeks he'll be living here. JJ said to him, "you mean a month?" and he said, "no, more like two weeks."

It seems like things are finally moving in the right direction. I'm so excited I could practically burst. And, you should have seen JJ yesterday. He couldn't take the smile off his face.

Just a general update

The rain has finally stopped! It rained for five or six straight days here, and there's flooding everywhere. Luckily, I don't live right near any rivers, creeks or lakes, but within ten miles of me people were evacuated and houses and businesses are ruined. The Delaware still hasn't crested, but it's more than 13' over flood stage.
Keith and I were invited to attend JJ's meeting today at the home. I'm a little nervous, but mostly I'm excited. I expect it to go well. Hopefully we'll leave there with a date when he can come and live with us. Of course, Keith's still walking saying, "who's the man?" because of his phone call with the supervisor last week.
Braden wants to go spend the day today with the tea lady...lord knows why. So, while he's gone, I'm going to mop my kitchen floor and clean his room really well. He's doing pretty well with his cast and except for the complaints of it itching him, and the fact that he can't turn a doorknob, you wouldn't know he had it.
I still need to get a new ceiling light for the kitchen, and get my phone line moved for the computer. Oh yeah, and there's a cabinet that needs to get hung. I told Keith I want it all done by this weekend. We'll see if it happens.
We're talked about having a little cookout/party on Monday for the 4th. So far, we've just talked about it. I reminded Keith that we don't have table tops on either of our outside tables, and that might make outdoor entertaining a little tough. He's such a procrastinator. Those tops have been broken since last fall. WTF?
That's about it for me. Nothing more to report.

What a nice weekend I (we) had. Even though the weather was horrible, we had a good time.
On Saturday, we went to Keith's company picnic. Robert went with us, and he and Braden had a great time. Then we went to a graduation party where there were lots of friends and lots of good food. When I was taking Robert back on Saturday, he said to me, "I'm coming again tomorrow?", while nodding his head yes. Well, I couldn't possibly say no.


Sunday was Keith's birthday. We all slept in until 10:00. Keith went to pick up Robert and made a Dunkin Donuts run. We hung out the rest of the morning, then went to this indoor bowling alley/laser tag/arcade place. When we came home we had to get ready for Braden's boy scout picnic. The leaders of his troup can make something that's normally fun torturous. It drug on. So, we used the excuse that we had to take Robert home to leave. We came home and played some board games then took Robert back around 10:00.
Braden's doing pretty well with his cast...in fact at the graduation party he was playing volleyball with a bunch of older kids and won the game for them by using the cast as a great server. The kids all high fived him and messed his hair up, he was in his glory. It does itch him a lot...but he's been using a chop stick to take care of that.
It's amazing, now that I'm not so worried about JJ (and Robert) how much more I'm enjoying the everyday things. Even the four straight days of rain (with three more expected) isn't so bad.

It was sooo good to see JJ yesterday. He went swimming for a bit with Keith and Braden, then we ate and left for the game. He can't go to Keith's company picnic on Saturday, because he already planned a visit home to see his aunt, but they said Robert can come with us, and JJ can come up and spend next weekend here. He was beaming! We were beaming!

While we were at the game, Braden saw one of my ex-students. Whenever he runs into Braden, he starts rough-housing with Braden, which Braden loves. Throwing him in the air, and stuff. Anyway...this kid was throwing Braden in the air, and then missed him coming down and Braden fell and landed wrong on his arm. We had to leave the game at half-time to take Braden to the emergency room. Luckily there were other people from the Home at the game, so we arranged for JJ to ride home with one of them. We went to the hospital, and sure enough, both of the bones in his forearm are broken. I have to take him to the orthopedic guy this afternoon for a cast. He wants a hot pink one.

Now, this is really putting a crimp in my book-group plans. I was planning on spending all day baking/cooking and straightening up. Now I have to drive an hour to the doctors, who knows how long it will take once we're there, and then an hour back. I hope the book group girls don't mind frozen appetizers.

I'll post a picture of Braden and his cast later. Oh, and he's really eating up all the extra attention. "Mom, can you get me this?", "Mom, can you do this for me?" Sadly, it's his right arm, and he's right handed. He just better not ask me to wipe his ass!

Oh my God!

As I'm typing this, my hands are shaking...and, for once, it's because I'm very happy. We were supposed to take JJ with us to Keith's company picnic on Saturday, but due to the "no contact" thing, we couldn't. We already paid for an extra ticket, so he called the supervisor at the home to see if the other boy that came here would be able to go. He told her that JJ was obviously our first choice, but that it would be a shame for the ticket to go to waste, so we'd take Robert if we could. She said that she'd call the Acopian center and see how they were behaving, and maybe one of them could go with us. She actually said one of them! She promised to call back, but we waited all day yesterday, and she didn't call back.

Meanwhile, there's an allstar football game tonight at a local field, and JJ's brother is playing, so we were going to go. Keith called the supervisor back because we didn't hear from her, and he reminded her of the game, and said it would be nice if someone from the home would take JJ to see his brother play. She suggested that we take him! She also said that JJ can go with us on Saturday, and that they're having a meeting next Thursday, and he might be getting out of the Acopian. If he does, she said she'll get the ball rolling on the fostering. Keith said there was more to tell, but he couldn't really talk from work, and he'd tell me later.

I'm so freaking happy I could burst. Braden was jumping up and down screaming out of excitement...and that's exactly what I felt like doing!

Keeping myself busy

 
 
 

This is what I've been doing with all my pent up energy. I moved every piece of furniture in my downstairs. I still want to do what I talked about before, making my kitchen into a family room, but this is what I've been able to do without spending any money. I have to ease Keith into the spending money part. I've made a dining room in part of my family room. Moved all my family room furniture into the front (formerly wasted by that damn piano which is now in my driveway)part of the room. I also got a small kitchen table out of the basement to use in the kitchen for now, and I moved the computer in the kitchen...the computer desk and the kitchen table match. Now, I have to get a different ceiling light for the kitchen, so I can move the table into a corner. I also want to see if I can change the chandeler (?) into one that doesn't have to be direct wired so I can hang it above the dining table now. I also have to get a screen to put behind my tv to hide all the stupid surround sound and satellite wires.
I like the way it is set up now, without so much wasted space in the family room. And, Blu, my kitchen isn't 625 sq feet, it's about 250 sq feet. That's not very big. 

Braden went to an overnight birthday party at Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor waterpark in the Poconos. He had a great time, and now keeps bugging that, "We really have to go there, mom."

Keith is being a pain in the neck about my plans for moving things around. The goddam piano is still where it was. Pretty soon, I'm going to go to a truck stop, dressed like a prostitute, and lure about 6 horny truck drivers here, only to have them move the piano. I have book group here next Friday, and I'd like it done by then.

I bought spray paint and today I'm going to repaint my patio furniture. It's a purple color. We'll see how that turns out. I'll post a picture when I'm finished.

I called the home yesterday, because my "30 days of no contact" was up. I talked to the supervisor at the Acopian where JJ is, and she said she'd check and call me back. She called me back and said, "I just checked with JJ's caseworker, and he said he already told you this, but you're not allowed any contact with JJ until he's out of the Acopian." FIrst of all, I left two messages for the caseworker, and he never called me back, so he never told me this. I asked how long he'd be there, and she said she didn't know. I asked if I could just talk to him on the phone, and she said no. Then, through my tears, I asked how Robert (the other boy we had over) was doing, and she said, "he's a mess." But, that's all she would say. I know it's time to write a letter to the editor, or contact someone else, but I'm afraid to do that without talking to JJ first. You have no idea, but this place is liable to get pissed if I do that, and they'll ship him out of there without blinking an eye. I don't even know if they've told him we're still not allowed to contact him, or if he thinks we just don't care anymore. I can't stop worrying about him. Keith and I made up this plan yesterday to go down there, and we'd each get to beat up the people we like the least. It made me feel good for five minutes.

I don't even know what to call this post...

Today I got a phone call from The Home, saying that due to JJ's deteriorating behaviors, he will not be available for fostering for quite some time. He hasn't done anything major, just a lot of little things to keep getting into trouble. We're still not allowed to have contact with him. I'm very concerned about him...he seems to be caught in this cycle now, and I don't know how to help him break it. Even if I did, I wouldn't be able to share it with him, would I? I'm miserable. I know that if we got him out of there, 80% of his problems would disappear.
But, the guy that called me said that Keith and I are wonderful people (blah blah blah) who are 90% through the fostering program, and would we consider fostering another child? He said he has a list of kids available for fostering right away. My first reaction, to myself, was "No way! We want JJ or no one." But, the more I thought about it, the more I thought about it. I'm sure we could form a bond with another kid, the way we did with JJ - not exactly the same, but a bond of some sort. I keep thinking of all those kids there in that miserable place and I think, "Of course I'll take one." Then I think of what it would do to JJ. Don't you think it would crush him? Plus, when JJ finally gets his shit together (please be soon, please be soon), that means that everyone would have to get along, and two kids would have to share a bedroom. I think I'd feel guilty if I did it, and I'd feel guilty if I didn't. What a quagmire. In my mind, I can just imagine the supervisor I keep pestering at the home about JJ saying to the foster guy, "Find her another goddam kid!" I told the guy that I'd have to discuss it with my husband and I'd get back to him. I did tell him that since I'm home all summer, and we have a pool and two acres of land with lots of things to do, I'd be more than happy to host some of the kids here this summer for visits. I told him if there are kids that don't ever get to go on home visits, or that they feel deserve to go off campus for a treat, I would welcome them here. I thought that was a good compromise.

I'm blushing

Last night, Braden had two friends sleep over. Keith and I went to bed about 10:30, leaving the boys, a movie and an air mattress on the living room floor. I finally gave in to Keith's constant begging, and we had sex. A very short while later, Braden came up and knocked on the door. "Can I come in?" he asked. He came in, kissed us both goodnight, then on his way out the door said, "I hope you know we could hear you. We know what you were doing. We heard the bed squeaking down there." I said that I was just getting a back rub, but I don't think he bought it. I'm dreading them waking up this morning!

School's out for summer!

No more pencils, no more books, no more student's quick left hooks! Well, it's over. Yesterday was my last day of work for the summer, and Braden's last day too. He had his annual "last day of school swim party". There were about 35 kids here and they mostly behaved themselves. I broke up a game of Spin the Bottle in the driveway, and had to give the evil eye to one "couple" that were hanging all over eachother. Other than that, and the rain, the day was a success!

JJ's 30 days isn't up until next Thursday. I wrote an overly polite letter to a supervisor at the home asking to have a meeting with Keith and I and anyone on their end that could answer some questions regarding his fostering. Hopefully I'll get a call early next week. The other boy is allowed to come for a visit this weekend, though. His mom is supposed to come and visit him on Saturday, but she probably won't. She often sets up these visits, then doesn't show up. Isn't he a
cutie? How could you not see him any chance you had?

Renee, in her never-ending quest to drive me out of my mind, has decided that perhaps a career in the nursing field. I swear, if I live long enough to see her settled and happy it will be a miracle. Here she is with my big-boobed bitchy sister.

I'm excited to start my kitchen re-design, but I have to do some things in the family room first. Including getting rid of the 2000 pound piano. Keith doesn't know it yet, but he has a very busy weekend ahead of him.

 

Danger! Danger!

Every once in a while it happens. This urge strikes me. I don't know what it is, but it happens and I have no control over it. I'm never quite happy with the way my furniture is arranged. I always think another way would be better....therefore, I'm constantly changing things around. An end table here, a chair there, or sometimes, all the furniture in any given room. Living room, bedroom, patio, whatever - I just have to move it!

But, every so often I get crazy! Not only do I hate the way everything is arranged, I hate everything I have. That time is now. Keith hates when it's that time. The urge is striking, and here's what I want to do about it.



As you can see by the above picture, my kitchen is sort of divided in two sections. One where the appliances/cabinets and island are, and the other where the table and hutch is. Well, I want to change all that....tell me what you think of my idea.
I want to make my island about 12" deeper (ah, if only Bert were here), so that I can fit 4 stools around it. Then, I want to take my table and hutch and move them to part of my big family room (which has more than enough room to hold them). That would leave the wood-floored-section of my kitchen empty. What I want to do is make it into a little sitting room. I want to get some old, second-hand, comfy chairs or maybe a loveseat and put a tv in there and have it as sort of a gathering spot. For some reason, I'm really into the idea of regular, upholstered furniture in the kitchen. Not only would this look good, in my humble opinion, it would also be practical.

If Braden has a friend over, or JJ's here and they're watching a movie in the family room, Keith and I could sit in there and watch TV without being banished to the bedroom. And, when my family all comes over for holidays and whatnot, they could sit comfortably in there and I can still be part of the conversation while I'm busy in the kitchen.

So tell me, does it sound good?
Oh, and by the way, Hi Susan if you're reading this.

Summer time is here

Counting down the days till the end of the school year. Next Wednesday is the kids' last day, and Thursday is my last day. Braden's done on Thursday too, and is having his annual "last day of school swim party". We're expecting about 35 kids. It better not rain!

JJ's punishment, from the Children's Home, for what he did the other week is that we're not allowed to have any contact with him for 30 days. That makes perfect sense, doesn't it? Also, they moved him back up to the Acopian Center for 30 days. At this rate, we're not going to be able to foster him until freakin August! But, on a lighter note, the other boy we've been trying to sponsor and get to come up was finally able to come for a visit. He came last Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Keith fell immediately in love with him. He's a real sweety. He's only 13, and has a bit of a hyper personality...so, he and Braden got along fabulously and ran around and swam all weekend. Keith was going on and on about him. Don't be surprised if we end up with two foster kids.

The glass tops of both my patio tables got smashed by umbrellas in the wind last fall, so I have my pool all open, and the tables/chairs set up, but no table tops. I can't believe the prices glass places want to charge to make new tops. We actually might be better off buying new tables. I bought plants last weekend for my pots and got them planted.

I saw a new kitchen table that I love, and now I just have to have sex with Keith until he agrees to buy it for me.
Isn't life grand?

They made me proud!

I had Braden's annual IEP meeting yesterday afternoon. Usually, this meeting leaves me with a feeling of "oh no, my son is going to still be living with me when he's 30!" But, not this year.
He met all of the original goals on his IEP (and, while the goals weren't lofty, he still did it). He mastered everything he was taught in his learning support math class, he improved in writing...definitely his weakness. And, in Reading, he scored 97% accuracy at a 7th grade level...and, he's only 6th grade.
So, they're moving him out of learning support reading. He'll still get help with Language Arts and Math. He's moving up a level in science. Social Studies is already completely mixed. His teacher also added that if he has another good year in math like he had this year, he'll be in a regular math class by the following year.
I was practically in shock! Good shock though! And, in conclusion, his special ed teacher told me that she conferred with the whole 6th grade team and their overwhelming conclusion is that Braden is an easy student, because he wants to learn and is so bright and has such a vast background knowledge, that they'll really miss him next year! Isn't that wonderful? (and, don't worry, I did check to make sure they were talking about Braden). Braden was so excited. He actually said to me, "Mom, I'm so proud of myself!" But, I doubt he could possibly be prouder than I am and I told him so.
On the other front, JJ came into school today with his caseworker to discuss what happened last week. He admitted what he said was wrong, admitted to being disrespectufl to the principal because he was mad about being accused of trying to start a riot. He apologized to the principal and agreed that they'd try to work on getting along better. The meeting ended with JJ and the principal shaking hands. I was so proud of him. I told him that he acted like a man and I knew it was hard for him, but he did it and did it well. I told him I was proud of him. He smiled from ear to ear.

Oh woe is me!

I have the house all to myself today. That's normally a good thing. In this case, it's not such a good thing.
Braden's on a scout camping trip to NY to go spelunking and won't be back until mid-afternoon tomorrow. That's a good thing. He'll have a blast, and I'll get a break from feeding him. Keith's working, which is also a good thing because he's taking me out to dinner tonight...he doesn't know it yet, but he is.
JJ was supposed to be here this weekend, but now he's not allowed to come. This is the bad thing. And, the worst part is it's all his fault. On Thursday, him and another boy jokingly, albeit wrongly, made a remark about having a riot at school. They had no intention of actually having one. They had no reason to have one. They didn't tell any other students. JJ is definitely no Norma Rae. Anyway, a staff member overheard them, and reported it to the office (as he should have done). When they questioned JJ about it, he became indignant that they'd think he was really going to start a riot. He refused to explain himself. He would not talk to the principal...who only wanted an explanation. When the day was nearly over, the principal tried to talk to him again and JJ's only response was, "How was your riot?" I tried to talk to him, but he would only say, "I don't have to explain myself to anyone. There was no riot." Then he just completely ignored me. Closed his eyes and wouldn't respond to a thing I said to him. That night he called to say he was sorry for ignoring me, which he added, was a big thing, because he hates to apologize. (And, I know it was a big step for him to do that.) The next morning, the principal gave him one more shot at explaining himself, which the other boy had done and got in no trouble at all. But, JJ dug his heels in and wouldn't say anything. So, now the school is threatening to press charges and he wasn't allowed to come on Friday. He has to go on Monday with his caseworker. Needless to say, he got moved back to the Acopian Center at the home and is allowed to have no contact with me. None. That's the part that makes no sense to me.
If the school goes through with pressing charges, there goes any shot of him coming to live with us. Even if they don't press charges, lord only knows how long they'll postpone the fostering. Now, I know he's definitely wrong here. I don't think he should get off scott free. But, if one of your kids did something stupid like this, I'm sure he would be grounded, at least. But, no matter what the punishment, he'd still be with his family. Feeling loved. Punished, but loved.
One of our favorite staff workers at the Acopian called last night. "Guess who I've got back again?" he asked. "He's not allowed to talk to you, but I thought I'd sneak him a quick phone call," and he put JJ on the phone. Keith told him he was disappointed in him and asked how he was doing. I told him we loved him and he'd better think long and hard about what he was going to say to the principal on Monday. And that there's a lot riding on this so he'd better do what's right. Then I told him that we loved him again.
So, that's how I got a day to myself.

Happy Mother F-er's Day

Last night I went to see the comedian Rich Vos. He was very funny. I laughed so hard at times that the sides of my mouth hurt. In the crowd was a table of some of the people I work with...about four of them and their spouses/girlfriends. They were sitting pretty close to the stage, and one of them yelled something to Rich. Well, that was all it took. He picked on them for the entire night, unmercilessly. I was so glad I didn't sit with them. Plus, I got lots of great ammunition for work on Monday.
Keith and I had a discussion about his, how should I say this nicely, suckiness in the gift buying department. I brought up Christmas and the tickets he got me that he was told specifically not to buy. I brought up my birthday when I was just handed some cash. You know, he constantly teases me about wanting so many things. We'll see something in a magazine, "I would love that," I'll say. We'll be at the mall, "OOoh, now I'd like to have that." Etc. So, buying me a gift should be the easiest thing in the world, but NOOOOOOO! So, last night while I was at the show, he took Braden out shopping. When I came home I saw a Bath and Body Works bag on the table. WTF? He forgot my "NO LOTION NO PJ'S NO APPLIANCE" rule? How imaginative is fucking lotion? But, lest I be thought of as a bitch, I'll say thank you and smile. At least I'll get to go out, because we're taking my mom out for brunch.
Braden has a sleepover tonight, and Keith's working night shift as a favor to a friend, so I have the night alone. Pure bliss. JJ went to Philly to visit his aunt this weekend, as he promised he'd do. I gave him a little cash to pick her up a card. I've worked out an arrangement with his caseworker (the one who never, ever returns my calls). If we want to visit JJ, or have him come here....I call and leave a message. If I dont' hear back from the caseworker, I'm to assume that what ever I requested has been approved. That will definitely work in my favor. I still don't know when the fostering thing will come through, and I haven't heard a word from his Philly caseworker in weeks, and neither has JJ. SHe was so supportive in the beginning. I wonder what's going on there.

::cough cough::

I'm taking the day off tomorrow. I'm feeling a little sick ::wink wink::. It's supposed to be 77 degrees and sunny. I'm going to wipe down my downstairs walls, do some laundry and read in the sun. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Good news! JJ is allowed to come and visit this weekend, all day Saturday and all day Sunday. He can't sleep over yet though. His case worker finally called me back today...after leaving him two messages a day for the last three days. Also, he promised to look into when the fostering will come into effect. They did make JJ promise that he'd go on a home visit next weekend, if he came here this weekend. But, the way it's been going, I'll take what I can get.
Keith and I are bowling tomorrow night in a charity bowling thing. We do it every year and usually it's a fun night out.
Braden has to get up early tomorrow and meet the boy scouts...they're doing community service and cleaning up the road near the ball field. It's sure going to be fun waking him up ~~0~~0~~
Other than that, it's going to be a slow weekend...which is nothing to complain about!

Anticipation

JJ has his meeting today...it's probably going on right now. It's driving me crazy not to be there. I hope it goes well. Shit, I hope it goes a hundred times better than well. His DHS worker is supposed to be there, hopefully to kick some Children's Home butt.

Updating, awaiting and bear baiting

I just came back from grocery shopping. I'm as bad as the kids...I have to eat something I just bought as soon as I'm done putting everything away. Today I was torn between the Entenmann's Apple Puffs or an english muffin. I started with the english muffin.

We went to see Ron White last night. He was very funny. There's something about the way he stands up there smoking, drinking and cursing that appeals to me. Usually profanity doesn't float my boat, but he speaks so well and uses a large vocabulary...it's the way he litters his otherwise eloquent speech with fucks that makes me laugh. There was a guy sitting next to me that was laughing so hard I was worried he was going into some sort of convulsion. You know everything that someone does when parodying someone laughing...snorting, knee slapping, foot stomping....this guy did all of that. It made me wonder what it would be like to find something that incredibly funny and laugh with such abandon.

Braden had his last dance of the year yesterday after school. He lives for those things, and I'm quite sure he makes an ass of himself there. But, as long as he's having fun. He has a big project due on Monday that we haven't even started yet. The whole 6th grade does a medieval times themed unit and they all had to pick an area to write a research paper on and make some sort of presentation. Braden's topic was medieval games/entertainment. Of course, being a 12 year old boy, his favorite pastime he read about was "bear baiting" and wants to make a shoe box model of it. How the hell am I going to make a bear? We bought some fur at the craft store, but that's as far as we got.

JJ is supposed to be going with his Philadelphia caseworker today to see his brother in Philadelphia. The children's home has a new policy, effective Thursday, that the residents can receive no incoming calls with out prior approval. I called the supervisor to get approval, but she didn't get back to me (it's my understanding that they had quite a busy day on Friday...restraints, runaways, etc)...so, I wasn't able to call him to see when he was going. He can't call me either without said supervisor's approval, and naturally, she's not in on the weekend. And, I called his caseworker on Thursday and Friday to get the okay for us to visit him over the weekend, but I never heard back from the creep. So, once again, here we are, hanging. But, for some strange reason that I can't put my finger on, on the way to see the comedian last night, I was overcome with this sense that things are going to work out. It made me look at everything that's happening as minor obstacles that we have to get past, but I have a feeling in my heart that soon enough he'll be living here with us. This feeling is liable to pass, but for now, I don't have this constant "load of bricks" feeling in my chest. My fingers are just crossed for his meeting on Tuesday.

That's about it here. Now I have to go do some laundry and maybe trim a couple of bushes outside.

Pardon me....

I'm sorry for going on and on about the trials and tribulations of JJ, but I need to vent.
Today, I called JJ's caseworker to see if on Thursday, since Braden was going to school with me, if JJ could come home with us after school, stay for dinner then I would take him back by 8:pm. His caseworker called back and said that no, that wouldn't be possible. Not only that, but he can't come this weekend either. I asked if JJ did something that he was being punished, but was told that he hadn't done anything wrong. It seems they're not going to let JJ come here until he does a home visit. HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO A HOME VISIT!!! It would be his aunt they want him to visit (not a blood aunt, just a family friend who is his legal guardian)and he'd have to take about three busses and two subways to get there. All in all, about three or four hours - each way, for a two day visit. Plus, while he was in the detention center, she didn't call him or come to visit him or write him a letter. I spoke with her on Easter and she's thrilled that he's spending time here. She wants him to have a family to spend time with...she even said I hope you adopt JJ. I said to Wally that perhaps if they promised him he could come here this weekend he would go home next weekend...or vice versa. I was told, "We don't play that way. We don't negotiate."
He then went on to say that while it's great that me and my family love JJ and support him, we aren't his family. We're strictly his sponsors, and his visits with us are a reward and he has to earn them.
He also asked if either me or JJ had contacted JJ's DHS worker because she called him to ask why JJ's visits with his sponsors were being canceled. The caseworker told me he told her they weren't being canceled. I lied and said I had only called her while he was in the detention center. The Children's HOme would flip if they knew I called her. Then who knows when they next time would be that JJ could visit.
He told me he was going to try to "force" (his exact words) JJ to go home this weekend but he'd appreciate it if I'd tell JJ that and try to talk him into it. Plus, that way JJ wouldn't get angry at the home and get himself into trouble. I should have told him to shove it up his ass, but because I am more worried about JJ than anything else, I said I'd talk to him.
Needless to say, that didn't go very well. He's refusing to go home. He says they can't force him to go if he doesn't want to. He was nearly in tears asking why they keep doing this to him. "I keep doing everything they ask. I'm trying so hard, and they keep playing games. I don't even care anymore. I give up." So, I tried to cheer him up, tell him it's all a game and we have to be ready with an even better move, but it only half worked. I can't very well keep telling him there's a light at the end of the tunnel if I can't even see the damn light.
I am supposed to call him at 8:00 tonight. I'm hoping that he took my advice when dealing with his caseworker and just said, "I dont' want to go home." and that's it. I'm sure he didn't. I just hope he wasn't too beligerent.

Blah Blah Blah

I have had guests for dinner at my house for the past three Sundays. I'm tired of cooking and cleaning. This weekend, NOTHING. Got it? Zip.

Friday night, Keith and I are going to see Ron White at a local theater. Now I just have to find a babysitter for Braden. Not that I can call it that without offending the lad, but I don't like to leave him alone at night. Hopefully, I'll find a friend's house for him to sleep over.

I heard from JJ's DHS worker today. He has a meeting at the Children's Home on May 2nd, and she's going. Hopefully they'll get some things ironed out. And, she's picking him and his brother up on Saturday, then driving them back to Philadelphia to pick up a brother in foster care there, then taking them to an aunt's house for a nice visit. He's really looking forward to that...he hasn't seen the one brother since last summer. I told him I'd get him a disposable camera so he can take a ton of pictures, then we can get some frames and put them in his room.

Braden has an easy week this week. He has a field trip to Medievel Times dinner theater on Wednesday. Thursday he's going to work with me for Take Your Child To Work Day, then Friday he has his last dance of the year. Except for tomorrow, it will be a piece of cake to wake him up every morning.

One of my students at school told me that my family reminds him of the Huxtables. I told him that he was right except that 1. We're white 2. I'm not a lawyer 3. My husband isn't a doctor 4. We don't live in a brownstone in NYC and 5. My husband doesn't eat pudding.

A little satisfaction

I called JJ's DHS caseworker. I got no reply. However, I'm told these caseworkers from Philadelphia have huge case loads and not to be surprised if it takes a couple of days to hear from her. So, last night, I sent her an email, saying I knew she was very busy, but I had some concerns about JJ and the Children's Home and would appreciate a phone call when she had a chance.
She called me this morning. I explained some things to her...how they only let him visit for three out of the six Easter vacation days, how he's still in the Acopian center, even though his 30 day "punishment" period was over two weeks ago. I told her how some staff, off the record, told me administrative staff are doing things to purposely piss him off, so when he gets angry (For the record, the kid's biggest problem is his anger issues) they can punish him for it. I said that staff has told me that we need to do what we can to get him out of there for his own good. I said that no one ever returns my phone calls when I call about him, and that we can't even get a date as to when he can come and stay with us, and that they won't even let him sleep over when he visits. SHE WAS LIVID!
It seems she called and requested that he be allowed to spend his entire Easter break with us and they said "No problem". She was also assured that he would only spend 30 days in the Acopian Center. She was really pissed about the way they "test" him by doing things to make him angry and said that wasn't the least bit theraputic, in fact it boarders on abuse. She also said their goal is to get kids into foster homes as quickly as possible, and there should be nothing holding the process up. I told her about my warning not to "step on anyone's toes" or else it would get held up even more. She intends to call there today, to check on how things are going. She's not going to mention our phone call. She's going to ask how JJ's making out since he's been out of the Acopian center and how he enjoyed his Easter break with us. She also said she's going to make an unannounced visit there next week...just to shake things up.
She was very nice, very reassuring and SO NOT like dealing with someone from an agency notorious for being bogged down with red-tape and case overloads. She's also going to personally pick JJ and his brother up next Saturday, take them to visit their brother in Philadelphia foster care, then bring them both back to my house for the rest of the weekend.
She told me she'd get back to me as soon as she heard anything from the Children's Home and I should feel free to call her anytime if things like this continue. She also said that she's glad I'm involved in JJ's life, and this is exactly what he needs, someone to fight for him and show him that they're there for him. I'm so glad I called!

Back to work

I go back to work today. I really don't mind, I like my job. I just wish I didn't have to get up so darn early in the morning. It should be an easy day too...a lot of our sending school districts are off until tomorrow, so our attendance will probably be about half of what it usually is.

Easter went well. The food all came out delicious. I wish I would have bought a bigger ham, because there wasn't enough left overs. Ham is one of the only meats I like left over...sandwiches, omelets, soup. JJ met my family and said, "Miss, your family isn't as weird as you said they were." I told him to wait, they were on their best behavior. My parents and my siblings each got him an Easter card - he took them all and they're displayed in his room...one on the tv, one on the dresser, and one on the bedside stand. Ask Braden where his cards are. He'll have no idea. At one point, JJ brought me the phone and said, "you have a call." It was his aunt. He called her to wish her a Happy Easter. I had no idea what to expect, and hesitantly took the phone. She sounded very nice. And very young. She said how wonderful it was that JJ had someone looking out for him, and a place where he can feel like part of a family. She said she'd like to get together sometime, and meet.

I called his Philadelphia caseworker, but she must have been out of the office for the holiday. I left a message. Hopefully she'll call me back today.

Did I tell you we're remodeling our basement? Turning it into a rec room/family room. It's studded and the electric is run. We had someone come in last week and give us an estimate on waterproofing it...when it rains really hard and fast we get a little flooding down there (it's happened only twice in the four years we've been here). The estimate was $19,000. WTF? I guess the basement is on hold for a long, long time.