Worn out...

So, I did get my first foster placement today. It's been a long day! We met her about 2pm and went straight to the store to get her a few things. I'm sure we'll do that a couple more times this week until she gets settled. But so far, so good. She is, in fact, a 17 year old girl, and she's taller than me. lol. She seems nice. Let's see how we do this week, it'll be an adjustment for all of us for sure.

My dad has wanted us to go see Christmas lights tonight, and I left it up to T as to whether or not she wanted us to go. She said she did, so we made the drive. It was freezing cold out, but we all had fun. I left my camera in the trunk of the car, and only got some pics on my phone, which was a bummer, oh well.

She's off this week from school, so I'm going to let her stay at the house during the day without us. Trust-building for sure. lol. I think she'll do ok. She's already talking about getting stuff more organized around here. Too funny. :) Hey, if it makes her comfortable, more power to her!!

Will write more later.

Peace.

Placement

So, I guess soon I'll know who my true friends are and which ones think I'm beyond nuts. :)

I've accepted a temporary placement of a 17 year old girl starting Sunday sometime. Temporary, in that she'll be with me at least through next week. If things work out for all of us, she'll stay here as a placement for awhile. Please send up a prayer for all of us, and I'll certainly keep everyone updated.

She's significantly older than I thought I'd ever accept, but I am a licensed foster parent and I figured I have nothing to lose by accepting a placement. If it doesn't work out, they'll find her a different placement.

This, of course, is part of the reason the ex-bf and I broke up. Maybe I'll decide this route is for me, or I'll decide it's not, but I need to leave the door open. So, to my friends and family out there, please be patient and open if you can. :)

I'm excited and very nervous. And the first thing I had to do was call them back and ask if she could stay with someone else next Saturday because my Mom is coming to my house and she is particular. Since she only comes once a year... I figured it best to not rock that boat.

Peace.

Santa

So, Lil M told me tonight that Santa is the reason for Christmas. And I can tell she really thinks that... even at 3 years old... and I wasn't very happy about that, of course. But, it is sort of understandable.... Santa is EVERYWHERE.

Well, I'm not going to be the most popular person here soon, 'cause this Momma has to put a stop to it. I'm not getting rid of Santa completely... but sheesh.

So, how do you de-santa Christmas????

Jesus is the reason for Christmas, and I need to teach Mia that... starting now. :)

Peace.

Appreciative

So, I never thought about how much my grandmother actually helped us when we were little. Today, I went to buy a bed to put in the 2nd bedroom. It was $249 (including tax and delivery)... for a twin bed - mattress, box springs and metal frame. No headboard.

Then, I remembered that when we were young, my grandmother went out and bought Sis and I brand new beds... twin beds with mattresses, frames and box springs... AND headboards. TWO of them. Egad. I have to wonder what that set her back. And, for this moment, I'm so thankful. Maybe she paid it forward so I would someday. :)

Of course, we were family and she always did right by us and my Mom. But still. She always had to do double. Think on that for a bit. :)

Now, I need to go get some extra sheets, a water-proof mattress pad (just in case) and maybe a bed skirt. I remember our beds always being decked out. Now I understand the appeal.

Sort of scary that I bought a bed for a potential-child before I spent the money on one for me. I've had the same bed my step-mother gave me 20 years ago, and it was used then... HOW SAD, huh???? LOL

So, next year it is important for me to save up for my own new bed. WITH a headboard ('cause I don't have one of those right now either). And maybe a new TV. ;-)

Peace.

emergency placement call

So, I got my 2nd emergency placement call today. It has to go through the channels, and there are other families available, so it isn't necessarily going to happen... but I should be ready this time, regardless. This is for a 7YO girl. The bed I ordered is very basic, but I figure if I do get the referral, I'll go get some cute (but cheap) bedding. Or, use what I have, but I don't have much in the twin-bed size, so eventually, I'd have to get something anyway.

**Updated - the referral went to a non-therapeutic home... so, not a go this time. But I'll be ready if/when they call again. Of course, I still do feel a little bit let down.

Other than that... just getting ready for Christmas. :)

Peace

Back on the Run

I ran one day last week, 3.1 miles... and then tonight I ran 3.6 and did pilates for 15 minutes. I'll probably hurt a bit tomorrow... but it was good to get a good run in. Even if I can get this done a couple of times a week right now, I'd be very happy. :)

This week has been OK so far... I bought Lil M a Christmas dress over the weekend, and it'll be neat to see her wear it. I should have bought it earlier, since we already went to a Christmas party, but that's ok. :) Her dress came with a doll dress that matches, hehe, and now I've got to figure out which doll can wear it!! That's going to be adorable. Ok, I'll step back from the adoring gushy mommy moment here. lol

It feels like it's been a long week and it's only Tue night. I can't believe Christmas is almost here... the lady at daycare laughed (not meanly) at me because I said that part of Lil M's gifts will be from me and some from Santa... but mostly from me. :) She thinks I'm nuts. You know... go with the flow Melissa. It's JUST SANTA. ;-) Seriously, she wasn't being mean, and she didn't say all that.... but I could tell she was probably thinking it.

Peace.

WFMW - coffee online

Today is Works For Me Wednesday... so, please go check out some great ideas from other bloggers.

My WFMW thought today is about coffee. I love coffee. But, I don't always like the coffee at the grocery store. Sis started on Boca Java last year, which is an online coffee company, and I actually like their coffee really well. So, this year, I've been ordering coffee online, on an 8-week schedule. Just one or two packs at a time, but it is convenient and I like it. :) So, that's what's been working for me. Kind of a little thing, but it takes the thought of what kind of coffee I'll have to get from the grocery, or go to a specialty store.

Peace.

Unplugged and back...

I took a few days off computer-land... Had a great Thanksgiving with my family. I hope all of my family and friends had a great Thanksgiving, too. ...and, now I'm back! :)

We had two turkey dinners Thursday, then went through the black-friday ads and to Meijer (to see if we could pick up a friday ad, but they wouldn't give us one). We went shopping at 1am... to Toys R Us.

YES, WE ARE THAT CRAZY.

Have you ever attempted black-friday? or Toys R Us on a black-friday? lol it was nuts... but we got what we wanted and it wasn't terrible. The line to check-out took us about 2 hours to get through, but Sis stood in line with our stuff while her friend and I continued to gather loot. :) We all got what we went there for, so that was a huge success.

There was one lady, however, who brought her infant child (yes, a baby) to the store in the middle of the night... and we all thought she was beyond nuts (and, yes, in a bad way). As we were walking out... and I was carrying (ssssh, don't tell Lil M) a toy kitchen set, that was about 4 feet tall (and i'm only 5 ft tall!! it was just really long, but lightweight)... i accidentally walked into said woman's "baby carriage", as she called it... i just barely bumped it and the woman went ballistic. OMG. That was bad.

(btw, the stroller was...you got it... on wheels...and i didn't touch the actual baby... but you would have thought i hit the baby the way she yelled at me and threatened me!)

Other than that... not too many crazies out.

We hit another local anchor store in the mall and were done with our shopping by 6:30am or so. And we did good. Really well, actually.

Anyway, did you know LEGOS are so expensive one must almost mortgage their house, give an arm or leg or first born child to buy them? Ok... i exaggerate... but some of those kits are like $100 or more!! We got them for $59 and $42 (sis and i both bought one for my nephew... again... SHHHH!!! LOL) .... i hope he likes them! sheeesh.

We did not, however, go to Walmart. There is a new one in town (just moved from an older building to a newer one) and you would think that place was selling crack it was so popular. The ENTIRE parking lot was full. That. That, is no exaggeration. Our friend went in to get the $3 pajamas... and walked right out. She said the line was so long that it was absolutely not worth it. So, we left. (which, btw, we knew was going to be the case... they were even giving people parking tickets for parking along the back because there were no spots. Good Grief!!)

I got lots of other cool things for Lil M... and I'm sure she will like them. :D

Let's see...what else. I got caught up on a couple of my shows.. Law & Order SVU and The Good Wife (new this season, and really, really good!!).

Sis and I had a couple of excellent talks this weekend about our formative years and memories (or lack thereof)... and Christianity. Not in that order. lol And had some good quality family time. I'm blessed, that's for sure... Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout-out to her friend Brian for watching the kids for the night so we could go shopping. :) He's a good man. Lil M had an absolute blast playing with Chase and his kids. I think she wore them out!!! :)

Peace.