I love how the painting came out. Although I'm still catching up on all the other things I didn't get to this weekend because I was painting. Mainly laundry.

The trim color is called "Aged Fossil" and the wall color is "Frosted Glass". It's a real light grey with a tiny tint of aqua - which I didn't notice on the paint chip, but on the walls that's how it looks). Now I think I want to carry this color into my kitchen and dining room (one big room, really). I'm thinking of doing the same color on the walls and trim, and then doing an accent wall in a teal/peacock blueish green. That same wall is now orange.

I got the fever....

Painting fever, that is.
I love how the dining chairs came out....I chose a great color, and since the paint is semi-gloss, I've decided to do my downstairs bathroom, and hallway trim that color. But, of course it doesn't match the paint colors in there, so I have to repaint the walls too.
The trim is the greige color, so I'm painting the walls a very light silvery grey. (by the way, how do you spell grey? G R E Y or G R A Y? I've always liked grey)
So, I'll be spending my three day weekend painting. I woke up early again this morning to get started.

I have book group tonight, and the chosen book is Devil in the White City. Not liking it. In fact, I'm only about half way through. I should spend the day finishing it, but I'd rather paint. Too many architectural details for me. I like the chapters about the serial killer, but the World's Fair chapters put me right to sleep! Any of you read it?

early morning painting

I've been wanting to paint my dining room furniture for a while now. It's black. Table, six chairs and a hutch. The floors in my dining room are cherry hardwood. It makes it look too dark in there. So, since a new set isn't in the budget....even though I have a thing for buying tables...I'm going to paint it. I went to the hardware store last night and bought primer and paint. A nice greige color (my new favorite). For now I'm just going to paint the chairs and the back of the shelves in the hutch. I might do the table too....but I'll see how it looks with the chairs lighter first. I'm so excited to do this, that I woke up at 5:45 this morning. I'm crazy.

Also, there were these upholstered, tufted dining chairs I loved at Pier One. I wanted to buy two...one for each end of the table, but they were $200 each. Not in the budget. I stopped in there last night, just to look at them again. I thought I'd do an online search to see if I could find something similar for a lot less money. Well, the display chair didn't have a tag on it, so I asked the salesclerk how much it was. She looked it up and it's on clearance for $58.00. Holy shit! The only problem is, they only have one. They checked all the other semi-local stores and no one else had one. So, I bought the one, and I'll use it as an arm chair in my kitchen, until I find something else for the other end of the table. It's a print chair, so I can find something else to make a pair, even if it's not exactly the same....it will give my dining room an eclectic look, right?

Here's what the chair looks like:

Braden diving

Pre dive: Mid dive:

Snow Day!!

Finally, I get a snow day. The kids have had six so far, but I don't get off in the office...until today that is!!
I don't have much to report here. I have the winter feeling I always get....must make changes in the house. I have the itch to paint, rearrange, organize and dejunk. It's always dangerous when I get that way. Just ask Keith! It's a good thing I don't have any paint here today, or who knows what I'd do!?

Pictures

We have had four snow days in three weeks of school. These kids will be going to school until July the way we're going. And, to make matters worse, in my new position, I don't get snow days. Just delays.

Things are going well here. Braden's diving again this year, and is doing very well. He's placed as the top diver for our school in the last several meets. He just has to work on his entry a bit...he can do any dive - doubles, triples, back doubles, but his entry doesn't look graceful. He has to point his toes and he says he just can't remember to do that! For school pictures this year, Braden thought it would be funny to wear an eye patch....here's his school picture:

Urban requested a picture of Gio....here you go. This is from Christmas....all the kids:

And, one more picture, just because he's so darn cute....here's Brighton hamming it up for the camera with Renee:

Why?

Why don't the things in my life ever run smoothly? Why am I destined to have a head full of grey hairs, bitten finger nails and an upset stomach?



After we went to court for Gio on the 20th, and the judge allowed him to come home with us, Children's Home was pissed. Well, one particular person at Children's Home, it just so happens that this person is second in charge there. She wanted Gio sent to a facility for 90 days, then she said they would take him back and we could foster him again through them. Well, the judge didn't see it that way, and allowed him to come with us right away, and be on probation. She was livid. She fired Keith (he's been working there (part-time) helping with transportation for about a year), told us that "this isn't over yet" and we have no idea what we're getting ourselves into.



Then I didn't hear anything for a while and thought it had died down. WRONG.



Gio had court again this past Tuesday, just for a check in with the judge, to see how it was going with us. She wanted reports from school and a report from us to make sure she'd made the right decision.

I got a call from Gio's DHS (Philadelphia case worker) who has known Gio for years, and is really happy he's with us. She said that the pissed off woman from The Home has been on a telephone and letter writing campaign to get Gio removed from our house and put in a placement. And, unfortunately, because of the very close working relationship that DHS and CHE have, she was able to get the higher-ups to listen to her. The DHS worker said that DHS' official stand was going to be that Gio should be sent to a bootcamp type placement out in Pittsburgh. She did say, however, that she will tell the judge that that is DHS' stand, but not hers, and she thinks his best shot is with us.



So....we go to court on Tuesday and when we're called into the courtroom, we see his regular judge isn't there....she's out sick or something and there's a master sitting in. Uhh oh. Also, there's lawyers there representing DHS. My heart sank, and so did Gio's. Anyway....the DHS attorney starts questioning the DHS worker, about DHS' stand and their recommendation. Then starts asking things about his past....it doesn't sound good. But then the attorney asks her what school Gio goes to and she couldn't think of the name (considering she has a caseload of about 100 kids, it's not surprising) and starts looking through his file. I say the name of the school, even though I wasn't addressed by the judge, and I think I'm going to get scolded (Judge Judy would have had my head), but the judge looks at me and smiles. Then the attorney starts asking me questions and he keeps rephrasing my answers, actually making them sound better. What the???? My heart is racing and I'm nervous. Poor Gio looks like he's watching a tennis match. Finally, the attorney says, "Your honor, I think the best solution would be to grant the Koch's legal guardianship of Giovany" The judge asks us how we feel about that, and Keith and I both wholeheartedly agree. Gavel banged, decision made. We are now his legal guardians.



That means no Children's Home, no DHS, no agencies at all. We can add him to our medical insurance so he can stop going to those horrible clinics, I can sign all school papers for him, if we go on vacation, I don't have to ask anyone's permission. His DHS worker was shocked. "I never expected that to happen," she said. She was so happy for all of us. There's only one downside to this...we don't get a monthly stipend now. And, while that's certainly not why we want him here, the small check each month certainly helps when you add a 15 year old boy to your household. Especially since Keith doesn't have his part-time job anymore. But, we'll figure it out.



On the way home from court, he kept saying, "thank you guys" "this has been a great day" "thank you so much" "thank you"



So, he's ours. Officially. Children's Home can kiss my white ass.

Happy New Year

Okay....here's a brief summary of what happened with Gio....we went to court, and met with his Probation Officer, who has known Gio since he's 11. She wants him to come with us, because he's been in placement after placement, but he's never been in a stable home. I have a letter written by his teacher saying the bright moments he sees from Gio when he feels secure and the differences he's seen in him since he's been with us. I also have a letter from our principal explaining the difference she saw in JJ after he came with us. The probation officer gives these letters to the judge.
We go into the hearing/trial and I'm shaking like a leaf, my hands are sweating. I can barely stand there. The judge asks why Keith and I are there, and we explain that Gio was living with us when he got arrested, but not when the incident happened. That we see a lot of potential in Gio, and would like to help him reach it. She reads the letters then addresses Gio...."Young man. These people see something in you. Your teacher sees something in you. When are you going to see something in you?" He shrugs his shoulders. She says, you have been before me four times now...FOUR TIMES. What I'm about to do is virtually unheard of, but I'm going to agree to send you home with the Koch's. I believe too, that a nuturing environment would be best for you. DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE DOWN!
He smiles from ear to ear and thanks the judge, and his PO. Two things he probably never in a million years would have imagined himself in a position to do before.
And the rest is history. The whole drive home he kept saying, "I got so lucky" "This is because of you guys" "I've never been to a court room and left before. I can't believe this."
So, hopefully he'll use this to his advantage. He's bored out of his mind here, he doesn't really know anyone. So, a kid that's used to hanging on the streets spends every night home. We've played so many games of cards it's unbelievable. But, after he adjusts, he'll be fine, I think. We have to take it one day at a time. He's completely different than JJ. Much harder. Or hardened, I should say. But, sometimes he just gives me a smile, or plops down on the sofa while I'm watching tv and I can see the happiness in his eyes.
Other than that....nothing else is new. Everyone is doing wonderfully, and I'm almost afraid to feel like nothing's wrong. It's strange.

Good news!

The judge let Gio come home with us!!!!!
I'll fill you in on the details later, but suffice it to say, we're all very happy.

We wish you a ..... bah humbug

I can't believe it's less than a week until Christmas. I have so much to do yet. Presents to buy, presents to wrap. Cleaning. Planning the Christmas day meal. Baking cookies. I'm hoping to get the bulk of the baking done today. Cutouts, choc chip and coconut cream cheese are on the agenda.
Gio has court tomorrow. I'm so nervous for him, that I'm practically sick. I've spoken to everyone that I could possibly think of. His Philadelphia PO, who has known Gio for years, agrees that instead of another placement, Gio's best shot at not becoming a high school drop out, felon is to come with us. She said she'll recommend it to the judge. I guess it's up to the judge. I have a letter from our school administrator, saying what a difference being part of our family has made in JJ's life. JJ said he'd go to court and talk to the judge, but that wasn't allowed. I have another letter from one of Gio's teachers saying he noticed a difference in Gio when he came to us, and how Gio avoids classroom drama, and so on..... Who knows what will happen. It will either be a wonderful, happy ride home from Philadelphia, or a miserable silent one. Keep your fingers crossed for Gio.

Pardon me, I'm venting

I need to vent!!!
As I've alluded to, our new foster kid Gio got into some trouble. Before he came here, he and a couple of other Children's Home kids got into a fight with a man, and they beat him up pretty badly. There was a witness, and the guy, and all three of them were brought to the police station for questioning. They all denied what happened. Keith is the one who had to take Gio, and he was disgusted by Gio lying, saying he had no idea what they were talking about, he wasn't there, etc. This is just a few days before he came to live with us, but Keith brought him here that night for dinner, and we talked with Gio. We told him that the right thing to do was to go back to the police and admit what he did, say he was sorry, and cooperate with them. He refused at first, but we told him that if he was really intent on turning his life around, he had to start doing the right thing. After a bit more talking and coaxing, he agreed. Keith took him back down the next day and he talked to the detective, and told him exactly what happened, but only about himself, he refused to say anything about the other two boys....but at least we'd made some headway. The detective told him that he was proud of him and really appreciated him being honest.
A couple of days later, Gio comes to stay with us. He said he wants to change his life, and wants more than a life of getting into trouble and being a street kid. Not his exact words, but that's the gist of it.
He's here for three weeks. In that time, his grades go up in school. He's earning 100's on his behavior points, I have teachers coming up to me saying what a difference they've seen in him. He had many heart-to-hearts with me, where he told me about his miserable home life, lack of any kind of consequences for his actions, and a mother who never really cared at all what he did. He said that he never really felt support until he met us. And, that he really thought that Keith and I were the only two people he could trust.
Then I got a call that I had to take him to the detention center. I took him there, thinking he'd be charged with something, then sent home. Wrong. They kept him. We went to his first hearing, and the bitch who worked at juvey said we weren't allowed to go in, but she'd tell him we were there. At the next hearing, we were allowed in. In the meantime, we've visited him every time we're allowed to (twice a week) and I write him letters several times a week. He writes to us too. At his second hearing, he says that he's going to plead guilty. They drop all but one charge, and he makes his plea. Then the judge asks if there's something he'd like to say to the victim. He looks right at the guy and says, "I'm sorry. I'm manning up for what I did, and I'm sorry. That's all I can say" I was so proud of him.
Now, they've sent him to Philadelphia to their Juvey (because even though it happened here, he's a ward of Philadelphia, so that's where he has to go). Right before they sent him there, he got his weekly phone call and called me. The other two boys still aren't admitting what they did, and none of their charges were dropped, so Gio saw the benefit of "coming clean". But, today when he called, he told me the victim didn't show up for the hearing for the other boys, and he has to come back later in the week and pick them out of a line up. If he can't do that, the other boys get off. Gio would never testify against them, he was their friend. (Even though in my opinion, they're hanging him out to dry). He said to me, "See, I was right. If I wouldn't have gone back, I wouldn't be getting sent to Philadelphia. I would be home by next week. They're beating their charges. But, it's too late now"
God, do I feel awful. I still think it's right that he admitted what he did and pled guilty, but where's the justice? How do I expect this kid to learn a lesson when he's going to serve some time, and the others are going to get off scott free? I know that I wouldn't want him to have lied, but don't you think he should get some kind of break for fessing up? I could just scream! See how good it is to do the right thing, Gio? See how great it will be living here with us, being honest and doing the right thing? Oh yeah, as soon as you're done serving what ever amount of time some Philadelphia judge says you have to serve, while your buddies are free, running the streets. And, I told him that I felt awful about this whole thing, and you know what he said, "Don't worry about me. It's okay."

One holiday down, another on the front

Aaah, Thanksgiving's over. It's great having everyone over.
Thursday went well...the kids from the Children's Home seemed to have a good time. They said it was their best Thanksgiving ever.
Yesterday I had my whole family for our "Thanksgiving dinner". Every family member was able to come this year, that hasn't happened in a while. And, for some strange reason, everyone that came brought pie. For dessert we had a pumpkin pie, a pecan pie, a sweet potato pie, 2 banana cream pies and a peanut butter pie. And cookies.
I cut my finger while peeling potatoes....it could have used some stitches, but I wasn't about to go to the hospital with a house full of guests. It bled almost all day. Oh well, I didn't really want stitches anyway.
Gio has court today. I think they're going to send him to another placement, for a while anyway. Unfortunately, he has a prior record, so he won't just get a slap on the wrist. I hope he doesn't have to go too long.
Everyone else is good. I guess it's time to get in the Christmas mode now. I'll probably decorate next weekend, and get a tree the week after that. And shopping...yuck, I don't even want to think about that. It might just turn out to be an all-online Christmas. The older I get, the less patience I have for crowds and lines.

Hey. Long time, no see.

What's new with me, you ask?
Plenty.
And not much. Work front is still the same. Liking my new job as secretary. The kids are all doing great. Brighton is growing so fast and is so smart. I enjoy every minute I spend with him.
As you might remember, we do our Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday here, which is great. But it usually leaves us bored on Thanksgiving day. So, I've invited a few kids from the Children's Home (kids that either have no home to go to, or no home where they're welcomed) here for a semi-Thanksgiving dinner. I'll rent some movies, there will be football on tv for the boys. We'll play some cards or board games. Hopefully they'll have a good time.
At home, a big change. Gio moved in with us. Things were going great. He's so sweet when he's here. He's good with Brighton when they visit. We went to a boring family get together and he was very good with all the older people there. We've had numerous heart-to-hearts about his future, lifestyle changes I expect from him, making something of himself. He was getting it. Really getting it.
But, Tuesday I got a phone call that I had to take him to the police station regarding an altercation he got in before he came to live here. I took him down there, under the impression, according to the detective, that he would be charged, then released to Keith and I. WRONG. They kept him. Now they're talking about shipping him back to Philly, some other placement. This is reminding me of all the crap we had to go through with JJ. So, I'm back in fighting mode. DHS, Children's Home, Juvenile Justice. And, just think....I didn't even want to get to know the little shit. Then I wasn't sure if I wanted another kid. Then, the next thing I know...I'm in love. His behaviors at school settled down, he gets great reports from his teachers. He's helpful around the house. And, unlike all the other kids I have (And I know this is all normal) he doesn't think that everything Keith and I say is absurd. He hangs on our every word, like we know everything there is to know about everything.
On a selfish note, there is something about introducing a kid who has had a very rough life, to all the normal/dysfunctional things most families experience. Eating dinner together every night. Talking about the future. Planning a little vacation. Talking about decorating for Christmas. Anyway, now I have made it my personal responsibility to make sure this kid doesn't slip through the cracks. He told me that he's never had anybody support him before like Keith and I do. He said it really helps him "chill".
That's really about all I have to report on.

Fall update

Well, I guess it's officially fall. The high temp today is only supposed to be 56. And, it's raining. Yuck.
We went to Renee's for the weekend, and went to the Bloomsburg Fair. It was really nice. Brighton is getting so big, and he's so social. We've started calling him Repeat, because that's exactly what he does. If there's a conversation going on, he'll stand there and repeat both sides. But, he changes it around so it makes sense that he's saying it. For example, if I'm saying to Keith, "I'm hungry, I'm going to find something to eat. You want something?" Brighton will say, "GiGi's hungry. She's going to find something to eat. You want some, Pop Pop?"
But, when we came home, we found that we have no water. Keith thinks the well pump went. So, the "well guy" is coming this morning. I took the morning off, so I can wait for him, and shower!!
On other fronts.....
Last weekend I went away with my bookgroup for a ladies only weekend at the beach. It was such a nice time. Beautiful weather. A whole weekend in either a bathing suit, sweats or pajamas. We played games, ate, slept, talked, watched the first season of SNL on dvd. It was so relaxing.
The boy I mentioned before has been spending more and more time at our house. And, it's happened. I've fallen for him. He's had such a sad, neglectful, abusive childhood so far. But, when he smiles because you do something simple for him (like buy apples at the grocery store because they're his favorite) he lights up. We asked him if he wants to live with us. He said he had to think about it. He's concerned about fitting in in our school system. And, he has a valid point. It won't be easy. So, we'll see where that goes.
That's about all I have.
See ya when I see ya.

Run in with the law

Here's a picture of me with three nice police officers yesterday at the race. I asked them to pretend to arrest me for "speeding" in the walk, but they said they weren't allowed to. So, I just stood there with them and jokingly told people they were lecturing me to slow down!

walking

Today I'm going to NYC to participate in the Susan Komen 5k. It should be a good day, except it's raining. I bought one of those dollar ponchos to throw over my clothes, so hopefully I won't get too wet.
After the walk I'm not sure what we're going to do. We were going to go to Chinatown to shop, but I don't know if we'll do that in the rain. Maybe we'll do a museum instead. I'll see what my friend, and walking partner, feels like doing. We could probably just spend the afternoon in Macy's. If you've never been, the one in the city is so big...they have a whole floor of just shoes!!
I didn't even get to see which celebrities were going to be there this year. Last year Cyndi Lauper and Judge Judy were there.
And, I'm thinking about starting to run. I need to do some sort of excercise. But, who knows if I'll follow through.

Decisions decisions decisions

I have a graduation party to go to later....a friend from bookgroup. Well, actually her son. I'm making "crockpot mac and cheese" to take.
Tomorrow my Jersey brother is coming for the day. I'm making bruchetta (with tomatoes from my own garden), and spiced pretzels to munch on. Then the meal will be: salad, mac and cheese (baked, not crock pot), corn on the cob, bbq beef ribs. Dessert will be strawberries and angel food cake.
JJ moved his bedroom down to the basement ("It's more like an apartment down there"), so now I have an extra bedroom upstairs. I've been looking forward to it. When Joe or Renee comes, no more shuffling people to sofas and such. BUT....Keith met this boy at the Children's Home and he wants him to come and live with us. He's been here a few times and seems nice enough, but jeez Louise. He's 14....so I'd be prolonging my motherhood by two years (since Braden's 16), and there goes my spare bedroom. I'm conflicted. I know he's kind of a high-risk kid...prone to fighting and stuff, so I know that no one else would take him. Doesn't he deserve a chance? Don't I deserve a spare bedroom? I'm sick of feeling like I have to save as many kids as I can. But that's really how I feel. So....I don't know what to do.

Update

Hey everybody! I know it's been forever since I blogged, but someone who shall remain nameless (hint: her name sounds like phlegmabites) has been harrassing me, so here I go.

I changed jobs back in May. The secretary at our school left, and I applied for her postition and got it. It's more money, so I jumped on it. It allows me to not do my part-time job with the autistic boy anymore. I'll miss working in the classroom, but I'll still get to see my favorite students as they come and go. Another plus, the office is much warmer than the classrooms, so I don't have to wear three layers of clothes everyday to work.

JJ graduated in June. He's taking classes at Community college this summer, and for the fall semester, then he plans on going to Moravian College and play football while getting his education....hopefully. He also has a part-time job at Walmart, pushing carts.

Braden turns 17 next week. He's been driving with his permit, but he drives me insane. He either goes way too slow, or too fast. And, he has a hard time staying in the center of his lane. I hate driving with him....but then I feel badly about hating driving with him.

Renee and Joe are both doing great. Joe is running a half-way house in Philadelphia for men just getting out of drug re-hab. He loves it. He's also working part-time at a sporting goods store. He looks better than he has in years - working out and cutting out sugar. Renee has become such a great mom to Brighton. She's going to be starting cosmetology school soon and can't wait to be a hair-dresser. It's what she's wanted to do since she was four.

Brighton is really doing fantastic. He's such a cutie, and so smart. Of course, I'm his Gigi, so I may be a bit biased! Here's a picture from his baptism last week. He's was getting a bit bored waiting for the services to start.

Well, that's about all I have going on. Nothing exciting to report. But, again, I guess that's a good thing.

We got 15" of snow Tuesday night into Wednesday. So, this is my second snow day in a row. HELP ME!!

Why do TV stations feel they need to broadcast nothing but weather/traffic/accumulations when there's a snow storm? ALL DAY??? I was home from school and couldn't watch any of the shows I like to indulge in when I'm off. No The View, No Ellen, No Oprah.

I did, however, make a nice apple crisp (which I'm going to have a piece of shortly), and made a nice dinner for my family last night.

That's really all I have.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It's snowing here. Schools let out early yesterday, in anticipation of the storm that instead of arriving at 3:00, mosied in around 10:00. I'm not complaining though, I got to go to Tristan's early, and I was home by 5:00. Then Keith and I went out to eat with friends of ours. I had a great cup of pepper pot soup...it made me with I would have not ordered the salad and just gone with a big ole bowl of soup instead.
Braden's dive season is wrapping up. He took a couple of second places and a lot of thirds. Not bad for his first year. He found out this week that he'll get a letter for it, and he's very proud.
Report cards came out, and he got an A in English. This is his first not-learning-support English class. I'm very proud of him. JJ's report card....nothing to be proud about. There's a local college, and a pretty good one to boot, that wants him to play football there. They know his grades aren't good, so he has to do the summer and the fall semester at community college, in order to get in. You'd think he'd try a little harder in his last year of high school, but apparently not. I have serious doubts as to whether he'll be able to cut a college class.
It's going to snow all day here. I don't mind, I like staying in. I'm going to move furniture around in my bedroom, do laundry, read my book and play with my farm. Sounds like a good day to me! Oh, and I'm making meatloaf for supper. I love meatloaf!