Here you go, my Sweet Violets! Another new home for our daily musings....

"Thus nature has no love for solitude, and always leans, as it were, on some support; and the sweetest support is found in the most intimate friendship."

- Cicero

Arrived safely in NJ. MIL is still in the hospital, am here keeping FIL company. We'll go visit her tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow we'll get the results of the biopsy that she had done on Friday. Once they have that, then they can create her treatment plan & will decide if they'll discharge her for outpatient care or if they'll keep her in the hospital for it, at least for the first bit. She's still very weak, which will play a part in discharge decisions as well.

I have to help FIL get organized & come up with a schedule & get some errands done, too. We're just taking it one day at a time.

Thanks for all your good thoughts!

glad to hear you made it ok. Will continue to keep you in my thoughts!

suzy - i'm so happy that things are going well with Gia. I didn't start wearing makeup until I was 15 and eyeliner when I was like 20 i think... in my opinion its just that she never had rules our boundaries to tell her otherwise... Question: when you are a foster parent do you get to set your own rules as far as upbringing rules? if you don't feel like at 12 she should be wearing eyeliner then would it be ok for you to tell her that she just cant?

sitting here watching the oscars. I loved cameron diaz's dress. so gorgeous. and did miley have enough cleavage? LOL...

Yeah, for the most part house rules are yours to make. I had to ask her dad if she had a particular doctor and if she could get her ears pierced, but on the day to day stuff I make the call.

She and the kitten are in bed, but she's still talking to her. Hopefully she'll calm down soon and sleep. The kitten is very cute and laid back.

Hey girls~

Susie, these are your rules, but I teach 12 year olds and some do wear a little makeup. When you go to her school, what are the other girls doing? Especially, if she has the short hair now and has issues with her identity. How long do you get to keep her? What happens to the kitty if she goes back, or does she? I swear, you are an angel...she is lucky to have you!

Glad you are there Michelle...keep us posted!

Judy, feel better soon!!

off to grade papers!

xoxo

Good morning, Violets..

I'm headed to my hospital shift this morning and then nothing until the church board meeting tonight. I'm opting out of Community Chorus because of this darn cold. I need to save my voice for our little group concert on the 19th.

Hope everyone has a good day. No Ethan for me this week.. sighhhh, but it's a good thing cause I don't want to give him my cold.

I haven't seen too many kids with make-up. I really think this is the sister's influence. Although she said one of the boys said he thought she looked better with eyeliner. She told him that her foster mom wouldn't let her wear it.

Speaking of which I am ticked at the sister. I have called and left two messages on the dad's phone for this sister to call and check on Gia -- nothing!! GRRRR!!

The kitten will stay here with me if she cannot go with Gia. I can tell you though that if it comes to it, I would adopt her. Yikes!! 5 days and I'm saying I would adopt...

Everyone have a good day! Michelle - hugs!!

Good Morning Girls~

Susie, keep us posted on Gia...I like the stories!

Michelle, I am w/ Judy...don't forget to take care of you as well as everyone else.

Judy, sorry you still have a cold. I have a slight sinus infection but have been popping echinacia (sp) like crazy. Hoping it doesn't work itself into a cold.

I have a long day today...and I'd really rather go play in my new house. Work and then I have a Human Rights Commission mtg. Technically, since I've now moved to Palm Desert (which is about 12 miles from Palm Springs) I shouldn't serve on the Commission anymore. I think i will serve out this term and will not "re-up" when my term is over. I've already joined the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce on facebook...trying to familiarize myself w/ that political community.

OK...off to put my face on! I've got a ton of papers to grade today...uuuggg! workworkwork!

xoxoxo

Michelle, my hearts goes out to you, your family and especially your MIL. Everyone is so lucky to have you and I am sure you are a great source of comfort and help to your MIL & FIL.

Janie, Miralax, LOL. That was very funny but I have to admit that I can see myself doing the same thing.

Judy, it seems like things are beginning to go a little smoother for Jen and the family. Thank goodness.

Pamela, I am sooo excited for you with the new house. I hope your move goes very smoothly. It is always exciting once you get in a new place . . . especially when it is like your own private palace. I am so happy for you :0)

Suzy, good luck with Gia. It seems like you are off to a good start.

In my house, bedtime was set but if they were not tired, they were allowed to read with the bedside lamp on for a while past bedtime. For some reason, this tended to put most children to sleep, lol. One thing to keep in mind is that if she was used to falling asleep with the tv on every night it is sometimes hard for her to get used to the change. A transition activity might be helpful.

As a veteran foster parent of pre-teens and teens, all I can say is just be aware that you are still in the "honeymoon phase" and that testing of boundaries can begin in earnest very soon.

I remember my very first foster child. It was a girl and she was 13. The first week was great, she tested boundaries but wasn't so bad. We went shopping for clothes, got hair done, decorated the room and I thought . . . wow, this is not only easy, it is fun too and I never had a daughter before.

Fast forward to two weeks later . . . we went to a cinema and I was not sitting with her, she was sitting with her new friends and I was two rows behind. They went to the bathroom I assumed and I didn't think anything of it, until more than 10 minutes passed and she didn't return. I checked the restroom and she wasn't there and I started to get worried. I asked the people working the entrance/exit if they had seen her . . . yes, she left a few minutes before with a couple of friends. In a panic I walked outside and saw her a little ways up the block. She had thrown her purse through the plate glass window at Kinkos. She said she was just goofing around and didn't mean it. She said she just went out for "air" and was coming right back. I, needless to say, was horrified and embarrassed and never had to deal with the police before regarding this kind of issue.

She stayed with me for a few months, other issues happened here and there. She attempted to steal my car and I then had to make a decision that things were not working out at my house and I could not give her what she needed. She went to a group home afterwards. I talked to her caseworker a few months later regarding another child and asked about her. Evidently she got shifted to a detention facility after pushing a staff member of the group home down a flight of steps.

Anyway, she was a serious exception to the rule. Most children are never this difficult. I just brought it up because I remember the first week or so of excitement of having the first child that I could help. She was cute, blonde, friendly, and very sweet to start with while I was brand new with dealing with teenagers, young and naieve, lol. It was a real learning experience for me.

Hello to everyone else . . . make Monday a good one. :0)

Well Monday is here!!

Judy I hope you feel better!!!!!

Wow Heather that is some food for thought!! Scary!!

I must have slept wrong last night because I can hardly move today because of my back! My back never hurts. I am going to color my hair, and then hop in shower and hope that helps. It just feels really really tight, it is hard to describe. I did sleep really good last night, maybe too good???

Oh well off for another day!!

Heather -- thanks for the words of wisdom. I am hoping the rebelling doesn't get too bad. But you and others have reminded me that it may come.....

It is gorgeous here this afternoon!! 70' and sunny. Windows open for now, the low is supposed to be mid-30s tonight.

I think I just slept wrong and hard on my back, because after a hot shower and moving around I am fine.

I went to the movie today at two, to see Lovely Bones, but the only problem was that it started at 1:10!! OOPPPS

So I just did some other errands instead. I was really looking forward to a movie today too.

I went to Borders Pamela, and found some really cute cards for a new house, they were $6! It is the thought that counts isn't it????

I have got an early morning meeting tomorrow, then I go get an unfill.

Judy hope you are feeling better!!!!!!!!!

what is it that you say Judy, the last shall be first? I hate this early morning meetings!!

Have a good day everyone!!

Hey Girls~

Well last night about 30 after I gave myself my allergy shot...I was driving like a crazy woman to the ER. My chest tightened up, I was weazing, coughing...and was itchy EVERYWHERE!!! I got a shot of Benedryll, steroids, and a breathing treatments...and was sent home w/ a px for the same! Today I have a "kickyoasskindaheadache" but am better...and on my way to work.

uuuugggg!!!!

Hope everyone has a great day!!!

Sheeeeeesh, PamELa.. what the heck did you do??? Have you had these shots before??? Glad you were able to make it to the ER in time. Now what do you do about the allergies? I sure wouldn't want to give myself another shot. (wouldn't give myself the first one... shots?? YIKES!!)

I'm feeling a bit better today. I didn't go to Community Chorus last night. Tonight is New Day Singers and we have a concert on the 19th, so it's important for me to be there. I'm going to hit the hot tub tonight for the first time in months and months. Weather is supposed to get up in the 50's again so it won't be so traumatic going outside to get in the tub.

I have a PMS luncheon today and then nothing until tonight. Joe is not working so he is home with Ethan and Jen. He says Jen is doing good.

The bobster is off meeting with his clergy buddies and then will head to Rogers City for the afternoon and evening. He and I will get home about the same time this evening.

I had a slice of toast with melted cheese on it for breakfast. Nice change of taste.

Hope everyone has a good day. Janie.. glad your back is feeling better. Why are you getting an unfill??

Janie, I hope you do get to see The Lovely Bones because it is a really good film. I enjoyed it.

Pamela, What are you so allergic to? I hope you feel better soon.