That old familiar clock has reappeared on my sidebar.
Yes, friends - Lost is almost back, just 16 days away.
The breaks between seasons are too long for me. I kind of lose interest until that first episode of the new season and WHAM! I am sucked back in again.
It's something to look forward to.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Friday, January 02, 2009
A Better Call from Son
Christopher just called again and he sounds like a different person. Gone were the tears and homesickness. I'm sure he'll have more of those tough moments, but at least he now knows they will pass. He only had 5 minutes but I could hear the excitement in his voice when he said he got his uniform (can't wear it until he leaves processing and goes to actual basic, Sunday or Monday). "Then I'll start feeling like a real soldier. Things will probably start sucking again then." I told him that will only be for the first couple weeks. He said he's sleeping better too. When last I talked to him he had gotten about 4 hours sleep total in two days. A buddy gave him a 160 minute phone card. He's sent out letters to me, my Mom & his father and we'll be able to write him once he gets a P.O. box in basic.
I'm so relieved that he's adjusting. He just sounded so.....GOOD.
K & Rox - your thoughts and prayers helped. And K, I promise, won't happen again.
I'm so relieved that he's adjusting. He just sounded so.....GOOD.
K & Rox - your thoughts and prayers helped. And K, I promise, won't happen again.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Getting The Message
I struggled with the existence of an afterlife for some time after my Dad died. I've be given many, many signs - which is a singular post that's been rolling around my head for some time. I will eventually get to that.
I have come to believe, without a doubt, that my Dad is still with us, watching over us. It's not the way I want it to be, it is the way it is and it has to be enough. It's taken me a long time to accept that. I'm still grieving, and will for the rest of my life. I still have days when the grief storms hit and I rail at the universe. I also have days like yesterday, when I receive a gift from the other side that give me faith in a continued existence beyond life.
Case in point:
I have a bird feeder in my back yard. When I'm too lazy to close the back door when the dog comes in, birds occasionally fly in and hit the glass of the front door. Yesterday was just such an occasion. I saw a bird fly through and hit the front door. When I went out to rescue it, I heard a second fluttering under son's workbench. I managed to grab that Junco and released it out the back door. The second Junco was clinging to the screen of a storm window.
I gently cupped the Junco in my hand and went to the back door. I held my hand out the door but, the bird just hunkered down into the warmth of my hand. I figured it had been stunned by the impact and just waited for it to recover. It just kept sitting in my hand. It was snowing at the time, I was still in my pj's and it was bloody cold. I brought my hand to my chest and stroked the downy soft head, checked it's wings to see if they were broken and then extended my arm out the open door. The bird started chirping softly. I opened my hand and bounced it up and down a few times to see if it would fly away. It didn't. It hunkered down and chirped a few more times. I opened my hand and moved it up and down a bit more vigorously. The wild bird bounced from my hand to my arm and stayed there looking at me. I talked softly to it and it just kept eyeballing me. About 10 minutes had passed at this point and I was getting mighty cold. I told it to fly away, I got the message, and then it flew to the tire of the snowblower under the feeder.
Skeptics could logically explain this away. Was the bird just stunned and disoriented? Probably.
I choose to believe something else. I've posted before about my Dad's affinity with animals. This wasn't my first unusual encounter with a wild bird since he passed. The fact that there were two birds trapped on the porch was a first time thing too.
I've been asking my Dad to watch over Christopher and keep him safe.
I think he just let me know he got the message.
Thank you Daddy.
I have come to believe, without a doubt, that my Dad is still with us, watching over us. It's not the way I want it to be, it is the way it is and it has to be enough. It's taken me a long time to accept that. I'm still grieving, and will for the rest of my life. I still have days when the grief storms hit and I rail at the universe. I also have days like yesterday, when I receive a gift from the other side that give me faith in a continued existence beyond life.
Case in point:
I have a bird feeder in my back yard. When I'm too lazy to close the back door when the dog comes in, birds occasionally fly in and hit the glass of the front door. Yesterday was just such an occasion. I saw a bird fly through and hit the front door. When I went out to rescue it, I heard a second fluttering under son's workbench. I managed to grab that Junco and released it out the back door. The second Junco was clinging to the screen of a storm window.
I gently cupped the Junco in my hand and went to the back door. I held my hand out the door but, the bird just hunkered down into the warmth of my hand. I figured it had been stunned by the impact and just waited for it to recover. It just kept sitting in my hand. It was snowing at the time, I was still in my pj's and it was bloody cold. I brought my hand to my chest and stroked the downy soft head, checked it's wings to see if they were broken and then extended my arm out the open door. The bird started chirping softly. I opened my hand and bounced it up and down a few times to see if it would fly away. It didn't. It hunkered down and chirped a few more times. I opened my hand and moved it up and down a bit more vigorously. The wild bird bounced from my hand to my arm and stayed there looking at me. I talked softly to it and it just kept eyeballing me. About 10 minutes had passed at this point and I was getting mighty cold. I told it to fly away, I got the message, and then it flew to the tire of the snowblower under the feeder.
Skeptics could logically explain this away. Was the bird just stunned and disoriented? Probably.
I choose to believe something else. I've posted before about my Dad's affinity with animals. This wasn't my first unusual encounter with a wild bird since he passed. The fact that there were two birds trapped on the porch was a first time thing too.
I've been asking my Dad to watch over Christopher and keep him safe.
I think he just let me know he got the message.
Thank you Daddy.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A Lot Can Happen in 6 Months or Why You Never Saw Those Halloween Costume Pics
A little more than 6 months ago, son was graduating from high school. Those 6 months have been the longest of my life.
You faithful friends that have given me continued support and checked here often only to find I have been MIA certainly deserve an explanation and, since most, if not all are parents, will understand why I have been MIA.
You probably got the memo about the Mustang disaster.
One of my last posts indicated I was going to attend a Halloween Party for the first time in years.
Well.........
I got a free T-Pass from work for the month of September, son was getting the privilege of dropping me off at the train station and using my car to go to work. The week before the Halloween Party, son got fired. Apparently, son wasn't always going to work.
October 30th I was up late finishing my costume. When I checked at 1:30 AM, my car was gone. Apparently, son had made a copy of my key and was stealing my car at night to go out. I had suspected, but this was the first time he got caught in the act, with the 16 year old drop out delinquent next door no less. Needless to say - I never made it to the party.
2 days later I caught son with a young girl in his room (she had climbed in through the window). I lost it. I went ballistic.
That was the last straw for me.
Grasping at straws he pleaded for me to take him to join the Army. He had that shot the week prior and had refused. I told him, CALL YOUR FATHER CAUSE I AM DONE.
X took son to recruiter that day and son moved to Dad's. Due to timing, son would not ship out until after Christmas. Wonderful POS father that he is, Dad would only let son stay until Thanksgiving. (God forbid he is ever inconvenienced by his only offspring). Son went off his ADHD meds at this time.
There was no way I could let him move back with me, so son asked my Mom if he could stay at her house until he shipped. This became a moot point when POS alcoholic drunk Dad stuck a loaded gun in son's face on November 24th. I'm not going to discuss my feelings on this matter since it would involve me going to prison for homicide. Son then went to Mom's to live.
Mom knew all the history so, son was basically under house arrest and could go nowhere & do nothing. 3 strikes and he would be out on the street. He did hit those 3 strikes. I don't know what they were, that's between them, but son made it through.
All in all, it was good for both of them, Mom enjoyed the company - the house has been too empty since my Dad died, and she had someone to do the little things that she couldn't do around the house. I had also informed son that if he pulled anything on my Mother or took advantage of her in any way, I would take him out of this world - since I had brought him into it, it was my right. Hurting my Mother in any way, shape or form, was not an option
Son had his second swearing in Tuesday December 29th and shipped out to Fort Jackson for basic training.
I had to stick to my guns and not let him move back home though, especially with the loser next door. Yes, it's one of the neighbor from hell's kids. They have two brain cells between the two of them and when they get together they cancel each other out. There was no way I could let him move back home and be able to go to work each day and leave son home alone.
Like I said.....the longest 6 months of my life.
Through all of this son has texted or talked to me daily. He knew I still loved him and wanted the best for him but, he had burned through all his chances with me - and there were many, many, many chances.
Through some planning, I have been on vacation since Christmas Eve. Good thing, since I spent most of Tuesday crying. My head knows all the facts: This is the best thing for him, he will be a changed person when he finishes basic, he will go in a boy and come out a man, he is safe. But, my heart is breaking. I wanted more for him. I wanted him to go to college, to become a responsible adult, to have goals and dreams and ambition.
Now, it's up to the Army to do what I failed to do and instill integrity, loyalty & honesty in my son.
He was so excited when he left. He was running on 2 hours sleep and adrenaline.
Cut to 1:50AM Wed. when he started texting me about how much it sucked, how scared he was, how much he loved and missed me and to tell his Grandmother he thought he was going to die there.
I finally got a call from him tonight and it broke my heart. He is hurting so bad, homesick and crying. BUT....he had the opportunity to be put on a flight home without consequences and he decided to stick it out....because he doesn't want to disappoint anyone. He called his Grandmother too. After a few bad connections, tears, and words of encouragement from his Grandmother and myself, he sounded better.
He is waaayyyyy outside his comfort zone. No more comfy bed and all you can eat while watching DVD's all day at Nana's. Reality is hitting him square in his eye's and it sux. I've never heard so may "I love you so much"es. I also got an I'm sorry for all the shit I put you through and how I never appreciated anything.....etc.....It's amazing what 2 hours or less sleep a night and being away from creature comforts for 48 hours can do to a person. Of course, I'd be drooling, in a straight jacket and babbling incoherently if I was in his situation. He hasn't even started basic yet, he's still in what they call purgatory.
So my friends, you are now up to speed on the goings on here at Sharfa's Space. Say a prayer for my son, Christopher. He's really a good kid with a lot of heart. He just hasn't been using much of his brain since he graduated. He has the intelligence and ability to make it through this, I pray I have given him the heart.
You faithful friends that have given me continued support and checked here often only to find I have been MIA certainly deserve an explanation and, since most, if not all are parents, will understand why I have been MIA.
You probably got the memo about the Mustang disaster.
One of my last posts indicated I was going to attend a Halloween Party for the first time in years.
Well.........
I got a free T-Pass from work for the month of September, son was getting the privilege of dropping me off at the train station and using my car to go to work. The week before the Halloween Party, son got fired. Apparently, son wasn't always going to work.
October 30th I was up late finishing my costume. When I checked at 1:30 AM, my car was gone. Apparently, son had made a copy of my key and was stealing my car at night to go out. I had suspected, but this was the first time he got caught in the act, with the 16 year old drop out delinquent next door no less. Needless to say - I never made it to the party.
2 days later I caught son with a young girl in his room (she had climbed in through the window). I lost it. I went ballistic.
That was the last straw for me.
Grasping at straws he pleaded for me to take him to join the Army. He had that shot the week prior and had refused. I told him, CALL YOUR FATHER CAUSE I AM DONE.
X took son to recruiter that day and son moved to Dad's. Due to timing, son would not ship out until after Christmas. Wonderful POS father that he is, Dad would only let son stay until Thanksgiving. (God forbid he is ever inconvenienced by his only offspring). Son went off his ADHD meds at this time.
There was no way I could let him move back with me, so son asked my Mom if he could stay at her house until he shipped. This became a moot point when POS alcoholic drunk Dad stuck a loaded gun in son's face on November 24th. I'm not going to discuss my feelings on this matter since it would involve me going to prison for homicide. Son then went to Mom's to live.
Mom knew all the history so, son was basically under house arrest and could go nowhere & do nothing. 3 strikes and he would be out on the street. He did hit those 3 strikes. I don't know what they were, that's between them, but son made it through.
All in all, it was good for both of them, Mom enjoyed the company - the house has been too empty since my Dad died, and she had someone to do the little things that she couldn't do around the house. I had also informed son that if he pulled anything on my Mother or took advantage of her in any way, I would take him out of this world - since I had brought him into it, it was my right. Hurting my Mother in any way, shape or form, was not an option
Son had his second swearing in Tuesday December 29th and shipped out to Fort Jackson for basic training.
I had to stick to my guns and not let him move back home though, especially with the loser next door. Yes, it's one of the neighbor from hell's kids. They have two brain cells between the two of them and when they get together they cancel each other out. There was no way I could let him move back home and be able to go to work each day and leave son home alone.
Like I said.....the longest 6 months of my life.
Through all of this son has texted or talked to me daily. He knew I still loved him and wanted the best for him but, he had burned through all his chances with me - and there were many, many, many chances.
Through some planning, I have been on vacation since Christmas Eve. Good thing, since I spent most of Tuesday crying. My head knows all the facts: This is the best thing for him, he will be a changed person when he finishes basic, he will go in a boy and come out a man, he is safe. But, my heart is breaking. I wanted more for him. I wanted him to go to college, to become a responsible adult, to have goals and dreams and ambition.
Now, it's up to the Army to do what I failed to do and instill integrity, loyalty & honesty in my son.
He was so excited when he left. He was running on 2 hours sleep and adrenaline.
Cut to 1:50AM Wed. when he started texting me about how much it sucked, how scared he was, how much he loved and missed me and to tell his Grandmother he thought he was going to die there.
I finally got a call from him tonight and it broke my heart. He is hurting so bad, homesick and crying. BUT....he had the opportunity to be put on a flight home without consequences and he decided to stick it out....because he doesn't want to disappoint anyone. He called his Grandmother too. After a few bad connections, tears, and words of encouragement from his Grandmother and myself, he sounded better.
He is waaayyyyy outside his comfort zone. No more comfy bed and all you can eat while watching DVD's all day at Nana's. Reality is hitting him square in his eye's and it sux. I've never heard so may "I love you so much"es. I also got an I'm sorry for all the shit I put you through and how I never appreciated anything.....etc.....It's amazing what 2 hours or less sleep a night and being away from creature comforts for 48 hours can do to a person. Of course, I'd be drooling, in a straight jacket and babbling incoherently if I was in his situation. He hasn't even started basic yet, he's still in what they call purgatory.
So my friends, you are now up to speed on the goings on here at Sharfa's Space. Say a prayer for my son, Christopher. He's really a good kid with a lot of heart. He just hasn't been using much of his brain since he graduated. He has the intelligence and ability to make it through this, I pray I have given him the heart.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Does this Look Like a Taxi to You?
You be the judge.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Cleanup on Isle One
This happened in a grocery store I frequently shop at.
We are definitely taking over too much of the planet.
We are definitely taking over too much of the planet.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
People Are Strange
I went shopping on Columbus Day (last Monday). I'm actually going to a Halloween party for the first time in years. I'm really looking forward to it. Halloween was always my fav holiday. I haven't been into it for a couple years, for obvious reasons.
I was out and about running errands when son called and wanted a shake from Micky D's. As I was at the window waiting for my order I watched an older woman come out of the door and look directly at me, no big deal. Then...she walked over and opened my passenger door. Caught of guard, all I could say was "Can I help you?". She was a bit flustered, apologized and closed the door She then walked to the SUV behind me and got in. The female driver, obviously her daughter, had her hand over her forehead and was shaking her head. I started roaring! I could picture my Grandmother doing the exact thing with my Mom.
Alone, that would be a chuckle moment, but there's more.
I hit Micheal's for supplies for my costume. This particular Micheal's is in a strip mall with one entrance and a fair amount of traffic. As I was waiting at the light to exit, an Indian woman (in Salwar dress with a nose piercing) with a Micheal's bag came to my passenger window. She spoke broken English and said "Burlington Center" as she pointed in the direction I would be traveling. I thought she was asking me if that was the correct direction for Burlington Center and I said "Yes, that's where it is." She then started reaching for the door handle saying "Burlington Center, I help you."
Hmmmmm.
Let's think for a moment here.
Here is a woman that appears to not speak English very well, offering to help me, an American born and raised - that obviously knows where she is going, assistance in getting to Burlington Center. I wasn't sure if she was playing a good con or rather naive of American ways. After thinking about it a few days though, it was a pretty good attempt for a Grandma. I was one of many cars in line. She singled out the single woman in her 40's (I'll die before I say middle aged, I am not that old!). It's probably worked for her in the past, and maybe it did on someone else after I left. I just said "No, Thank you" and rolled up the window. I'm thankful the light was green.
Would I have given her a ride if she was honest and just asked for one? Probably not. This woman wasn't homeless, she was well kept and dressed.
I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but after thinking about it for several days, I'm more annoyed about it than anything else. I'm not prejudiced by any stretch of the imagination, but I do take offense at my good nature being taken advantage of. This 'incident' made me think of an episode of Oprah that had Gabriel Union on. Gabriel was raped by a 'customer' that walked into a shoe store where she was working. The one line that stuck in my mind is "As women, we're raised to be polite and you don't want anybody to feel bad…but my body, my instinct, everything in my being was saying, 'Run. Just run out of the store."
Now, I don't think that older woman was going to rape me (chuckle), but...I do think it was a calculated attempt at manipulation. I bet she speaks English a hell of a lot better than she displayed to me. I'm just glad that for once in my life, I went with my first instinct and didn't second guess myself about being offensive.
I'll never forget when I was 17 and working at a deli-sub shop one night. A man came in and asked for change for a 20 dollar bill. I gave him back 2 fives and a ten and then he handed it back to me and started talking real fast about wanting different change than I gave him. It was a con to try and talk fast enough and spit out enough numbers to confuse me into giving him back more than the $20 he gave me. To this day - 24 years later, I'm still not sure if he got me or not.
Perhaps it was the feeling of that experience that kicked in when I instantly said 'No thank you'.
It disgusts me that there are actually people out there that prey on the naivete, or general goodness of others. Grandmother types or not.
My rant aside, how wierd is it that two over 50 women tried to get in my car in one day?
I was out and about running errands when son called and wanted a shake from Micky D's. As I was at the window waiting for my order I watched an older woman come out of the door and look directly at me, no big deal. Then...she walked over and opened my passenger door. Caught of guard, all I could say was "Can I help you?". She was a bit flustered, apologized and closed the door She then walked to the SUV behind me and got in. The female driver, obviously her daughter, had her hand over her forehead and was shaking her head. I started roaring! I could picture my Grandmother doing the exact thing with my Mom.
Alone, that would be a chuckle moment, but there's more.
I hit Micheal's for supplies for my costume. This particular Micheal's is in a strip mall with one entrance and a fair amount of traffic. As I was waiting at the light to exit, an Indian woman (in Salwar dress with a nose piercing) with a Micheal's bag came to my passenger window. She spoke broken English and said "Burlington Center" as she pointed in the direction I would be traveling. I thought she was asking me if that was the correct direction for Burlington Center and I said "Yes, that's where it is." She then started reaching for the door handle saying "Burlington Center, I help you."
Hmmmmm.
Let's think for a moment here.
Here is a woman that appears to not speak English very well, offering to help me, an American born and raised - that obviously knows where she is going, assistance in getting to Burlington Center. I wasn't sure if she was playing a good con or rather naive of American ways. After thinking about it a few days though, it was a pretty good attempt for a Grandma. I was one of many cars in line. She singled out the single woman in her 40's (I'll die before I say middle aged, I am not that old!). It's probably worked for her in the past, and maybe it did on someone else after I left. I just said "No, Thank you" and rolled up the window. I'm thankful the light was green.
Would I have given her a ride if she was honest and just asked for one? Probably not. This woman wasn't homeless, she was well kept and dressed.
I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but after thinking about it for several days, I'm more annoyed about it than anything else. I'm not prejudiced by any stretch of the imagination, but I do take offense at my good nature being taken advantage of. This 'incident' made me think of an episode of Oprah that had Gabriel Union on. Gabriel was raped by a 'customer' that walked into a shoe store where she was working. The one line that stuck in my mind is "As women, we're raised to be polite and you don't want anybody to feel bad…but my body, my instinct, everything in my being was saying, 'Run. Just run out of the store."
Now, I don't think that older woman was going to rape me (chuckle), but...I do think it was a calculated attempt at manipulation. I bet she speaks English a hell of a lot better than she displayed to me. I'm just glad that for once in my life, I went with my first instinct and didn't second guess myself about being offensive.
I'll never forget when I was 17 and working at a deli-sub shop one night. A man came in and asked for change for a 20 dollar bill. I gave him back 2 fives and a ten and then he handed it back to me and started talking real fast about wanting different change than I gave him. It was a con to try and talk fast enough and spit out enough numbers to confuse me into giving him back more than the $20 he gave me. To this day - 24 years later, I'm still not sure if he got me or not.
Perhaps it was the feeling of that experience that kicked in when I instantly said 'No thank you'.
It disgusts me that there are actually people out there that prey on the naivete, or general goodness of others. Grandmother types or not.
My rant aside, how wierd is it that two over 50 women tried to get in my car in one day?
Thursday, October 09, 2008
It's the Little Things That Make Me Happy
I told you about the 'Lil fierce one' who is Mom's protector. Anyone that enters the house doesn't get up the stairs without Keegan making Mom jump out of her seat as he barks his fool head off and heads for the door.
The tables were turned Tuesday.
I crept into the house on tippie toes. It helped that Mom & Keegan were in the bathroom with the water running. Mom doesn't have the luxury of peeing alone anymore. Keegan follows her everywhere and will rest his head on her knee or pants when she's on the thrown. (Mom might think that's TMI but I think it precious).
I was coming down the hall just as Keegan rounded the bathroom door with Mom in tow.
I said "GOTCHA!"
He was able to get out one bark and it was as if he was shouting "SHIT!"
Then he immediately turned into a wiggling wagging excited ball of fur.
Scaring the hell out of my Mom's dog made my week.
I know, twisted.
You would have been tickled pink too, if you saw the look on his face.
The tables were turned Tuesday.
I crept into the house on tippie toes. It helped that Mom & Keegan were in the bathroom with the water running. Mom doesn't have the luxury of peeing alone anymore. Keegan follows her everywhere and will rest his head on her knee or pants when she's on the thrown. (Mom might think that's TMI but I think it precious).
I was coming down the hall just as Keegan rounded the bathroom door with Mom in tow.
I said "GOTCHA!"
He was able to get out one bark and it was as if he was shouting "SHIT!"
Then he immediately turned into a wiggling wagging excited ball of fur.
Scaring the hell out of my Mom's dog made my week.
I know, twisted.
You would have been tickled pink too, if you saw the look on his face.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
It's Good to be Missed.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry.
I'm still alive and all is status quo.
I don't have any excuse, other than maybe being lazy or disinterested in the things that I enjoy.
Or, not having anything good to say.
I certainly don't want to turn this into a whine blog.
The creative juices haven't been flowing.
I feel like I've been a robot going through daily life.
I get up, work, cook, clean, sleep and do it all over again.
Pretty boring shit.
Although.
I think I'm finally starting to take an interest in my life again.
You're gentle proddings have helped.
I owe Stu a meme.
I'm on Suldog's shit list. (Does reading regularly your blog count for anything?)
K's been a concerned dear friend and I haven't forgotten that I owe her a music DVD either.
It was wonderful to hear from cicibug again! (Would luv it even more if she BLOGGED!)
Thank you my friends.
Next time.......it's OK to hit me over the head with a 2X4.
Sometimes I need that.
Son went back to his old job August 18th.
He's doing great at his job.
Of course, having Mom drive him every day doesn't give him room to screw up.
He still has his moments at home when I want to rearrange his face.
Gawd, does he push the limits of reason and sanity.
We went to court yesterday for his B&E.
He was not arrested when this happened.
According to the summons it was a misdemeanor charge for trespassing in an abandoned trailer and under $250 damage to the 'victim'.
There were no charges for contributing to the delinquency of minors.
Son was the only one that was 18, the others were 15 & 16 years old.
We waited around for 3 hours before being called in.
The clerk was the fastest talking woman I have ever heard.
I was allowed to stay in the room at son's permission for support.
I was not allowed to speak.
Which was fine with me.
He's supposedly an adult now and needs to deal with the consequences of his actions on his own....kind of.
The prosecutor was the same police officer at the hearing for the 3 minors involved.
They went to court in July.
The neighbor, Kirk, has been in trouble before and has quite a record. The prosecutor in his case told him he wanted to send him to juvie. Instead, he got 6 months probation. They all got community service.
I was very worried when we never got anything from the court regarding son.
We finally got a summons in the mail in September.
The officer read through the incident report and agreed to give a similar sentence that the minors received, a six month continuance.
That means: If son stays out of trouble for the next six months, the charge is removed from his record as if it never happened.
After that was agreed to by the court and prosecutor, the officer spoke directly to my son regarding hanging around with minors and that it's inappropriate and can get him in to trouble.
The officer made eye contact with me while he was saying this, I just kept nodding and smiling in agreement.
I had son get a letter from his employer prior to the hearing, we didn't need it.
We were in there less than 10 minutes.
Son did a good job answering 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir' when queried by the prosecutor. (I had given him some advice on how to behave. I only wish he'd be that way with me!)
Luckily, son had not been in any legal trouble prior to this incident, or since.
He got off easy.
Now that this has been resolved, son had better tow the line at home.
He's been warned.
Failure to show respect or screwing up at home will lead to a choice: Eviction or Enlistment.
It hasn't been perfect.
It's better than it was.
In my heart, I still believe he needs to go in to some form of the service.
He has no dreams or goals, at least none that he's expressed to me.
His biggest goal at the moment is to get another car.
He knows he's on his own with this one.
We all know how it turned out last time.
I've moved to a new office at work.
1/3 the size of my previous office.
I'm not happy with the move, and I never got satisfactory justification for it.
I'm making the best of it though.
I've been uber busy at work and have no time to post or even surf while at work.
I read blogs during my lunch break.
That's prolly a good thing though, I'm more productive and don't have time to screw off.
I've also got a great view of the Pru out my window.
Mom is doing better.
Her grief therapist told her she should get a dog, on a Tuesday.
That Thursday I took her to the Lowell Humane Society.
Saturday we picked up Keegan.
He's a cockapoo.
He is a loving puddle of fur.
The first night he spent whining and uncomfortable in his crate.
The second night he was in the 'big bed' with Mom, and has been there since.
He's just over a year old now.
He was living with an elderly gentleman that went in to the hospital and couldn't care for him anymore.
At the pound he was reserved & quiet, almost as if he was depressed.
There were 3 women in the room when we met and he went immediately to my Mom, jumped up on his hind legs and proceeded to hump her.
Love at first sight.
Of course, he has been neutered since, so no more humping.
No one will ever be able to sneak into my Mom's house again.
He barks like crazy when he hears someone come in.
Since there is no such thing as coincidence, I believe this was meant to happen.
My Dad would have loved Keegan, and vice versa.
Point of fact: Keegan lays on the couch in the exact spot my Dad used to sit.
Keegan would also lay on the back of the couch in my Dads den, a room my Mom never goes in to.
He also sleeps on my Dad's side of the bed, when he isn't snuggled up to Mom.
Not to mention, my Dad was part Scottish.
Keegan is a Gaelic name meaning little fierce one, and ohhh, does he think he's so tough!
Two lives were saved with his adoption.
It was meant to be and I believe my Dad had something to do with it.
Although Tabitha will still hiss and growl when Dusty is being a terrorist, there have been a few times lately when Tabitha is doing the chasing. The two of them sound like horses running up and down the hall. It's a hoot to see the lil shit jump right over her when Tabitha pounces. Ahhh, the quick reaction time of youth. I believe I was officially forgiven when Tabitha started coming in to bed with me again. It only took a year. That puss can hold a grudge.
I do have some interesting updates on the Neighbors from Hell, but, I think I'll save that for my next post.
Till then...Luv you all, and I've missed you!
Sorry.
Sorry.
I'm still alive and all is status quo.
I don't have any excuse, other than maybe being lazy or disinterested in the things that I enjoy.
Or, not having anything good to say.
I certainly don't want to turn this into a whine blog.
The creative juices haven't been flowing.
I feel like I've been a robot going through daily life.
I get up, work, cook, clean, sleep and do it all over again.
Pretty boring shit.
Although.
I think I'm finally starting to take an interest in my life again.
You're gentle proddings have helped.
I owe Stu a meme.
I'm on Suldog's shit list. (Does reading regularly your blog count for anything?)
K's been a concerned dear friend and I haven't forgotten that I owe her a music DVD either.
It was wonderful to hear from cicibug again! (Would luv it even more if she BLOGGED!)
Thank you my friends.
Next time.......it's OK to hit me over the head with a 2X4.
Sometimes I need that.
Son went back to his old job August 18th.
He's doing great at his job.
Of course, having Mom drive him every day doesn't give him room to screw up.
He still has his moments at home when I want to rearrange his face.
Gawd, does he push the limits of reason and sanity.
We went to court yesterday for his B&E.
He was not arrested when this happened.
According to the summons it was a misdemeanor charge for trespassing in an abandoned trailer and under $250 damage to the 'victim'.
There were no charges for contributing to the delinquency of minors.
Son was the only one that was 18, the others were 15 & 16 years old.
We waited around for 3 hours before being called in.
The clerk was the fastest talking woman I have ever heard.
I was allowed to stay in the room at son's permission for support.
I was not allowed to speak.
Which was fine with me.
He's supposedly an adult now and needs to deal with the consequences of his actions on his own....kind of.
The prosecutor was the same police officer at the hearing for the 3 minors involved.
They went to court in July.
The neighbor, Kirk, has been in trouble before and has quite a record. The prosecutor in his case told him he wanted to send him to juvie. Instead, he got 6 months probation. They all got community service.
I was very worried when we never got anything from the court regarding son.
We finally got a summons in the mail in September.
The officer read through the incident report and agreed to give a similar sentence that the minors received, a six month continuance.
That means: If son stays out of trouble for the next six months, the charge is removed from his record as if it never happened.
After that was agreed to by the court and prosecutor, the officer spoke directly to my son regarding hanging around with minors and that it's inappropriate and can get him in to trouble.
The officer made eye contact with me while he was saying this, I just kept nodding and smiling in agreement.
I had son get a letter from his employer prior to the hearing, we didn't need it.
We were in there less than 10 minutes.
Son did a good job answering 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir' when queried by the prosecutor. (I had given him some advice on how to behave. I only wish he'd be that way with me!)
Luckily, son had not been in any legal trouble prior to this incident, or since.
He got off easy.
Now that this has been resolved, son had better tow the line at home.
He's been warned.
Failure to show respect or screwing up at home will lead to a choice: Eviction or Enlistment.
It hasn't been perfect.
It's better than it was.
In my heart, I still believe he needs to go in to some form of the service.
He has no dreams or goals, at least none that he's expressed to me.
His biggest goal at the moment is to get another car.
He knows he's on his own with this one.
We all know how it turned out last time.
I've moved to a new office at work.
1/3 the size of my previous office.
I'm not happy with the move, and I never got satisfactory justification for it.
I'm making the best of it though.
I've been uber busy at work and have no time to post or even surf while at work.
I read blogs during my lunch break.
That's prolly a good thing though, I'm more productive and don't have time to screw off.
I've also got a great view of the Pru out my window.
Mom is doing better.
Her grief therapist told her she should get a dog, on a Tuesday.
That Thursday I took her to the Lowell Humane Society.
Saturday we picked up Keegan.
He's a cockapoo.
He is a loving puddle of fur.
The first night he spent whining and uncomfortable in his crate.
The second night he was in the 'big bed' with Mom, and has been there since.
He's just over a year old now.
He was living with an elderly gentleman that went in to the hospital and couldn't care for him anymore.
At the pound he was reserved & quiet, almost as if he was depressed.
There were 3 women in the room when we met and he went immediately to my Mom, jumped up on his hind legs and proceeded to hump her.
Love at first sight.
Of course, he has been neutered since, so no more humping.
No one will ever be able to sneak into my Mom's house again.
He barks like crazy when he hears someone come in.
Since there is no such thing as coincidence, I believe this was meant to happen.
My Dad would have loved Keegan, and vice versa.
Point of fact: Keegan lays on the couch in the exact spot my Dad used to sit.
Keegan would also lay on the back of the couch in my Dads den, a room my Mom never goes in to.
He also sleeps on my Dad's side of the bed, when he isn't snuggled up to Mom.
Not to mention, my Dad was part Scottish.
Keegan is a Gaelic name meaning little fierce one, and ohhh, does he think he's so tough!
Two lives were saved with his adoption.
It was meant to be and I believe my Dad had something to do with it.
Although Tabitha will still hiss and growl when Dusty is being a terrorist, there have been a few times lately when Tabitha is doing the chasing. The two of them sound like horses running up and down the hall. It's a hoot to see the lil shit jump right over her when Tabitha pounces. Ahhh, the quick reaction time of youth. I believe I was officially forgiven when Tabitha started coming in to bed with me again. It only took a year. That puss can hold a grudge.
I do have some interesting updates on the Neighbors from Hell, but, I think I'll save that for my next post.
Till then...Luv you all, and I've missed you!
Friday, July 25, 2008
The Playlist Song 43
Fields of Gold
Youll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
Youll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in the fields of gold
So she took her love
For to gaze awhile
Upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold
Will you stay with me, will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
Well forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we lie in the fields of gold
See the west wind move like a lover so
Upon the fields of barley
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth
Among the fields of gold
I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that Ive broken
But I swear in the days still left
Well walk in the fields of gold
Well walk in the fields of gold
Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
Youll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in the fields of gold
When we walked in the fields of gold
When we walked in the fields of gold
Youll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
Youll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in the fields of gold
So she took her love
For to gaze awhile
Upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold
Will you stay with me, will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
Well forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we lie in the fields of gold
See the west wind move like a lover so
Upon the fields of barley
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth
Among the fields of gold
I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that Ive broken
But I swear in the days still left
Well walk in the fields of gold
Well walk in the fields of gold
Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
Youll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in the fields of gold
When we walked in the fields of gold
When we walked in the fields of gold
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